Memories in Orbit : Discover the official release date of this highly anticipated French game!

Memories in Orbit embodies a new hope for French video game enthusiasts, with its release date now set for January 20, 2026. This metroidvania, developed by the independent studio Douze Dixièmes, offers a unique experience centered on an agile robot exploring a spacecraft overrun by vegetation and rampaging machines. The wait has been long, but with a demo available and a simultaneous release on multiple platforms, here is everything we need to know to prepare for our space adventure.

• The game will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.
• The demo offers 2 to 3 hours of immersion with a comprehensive preview of gameplay and combat.
• Pre-orders are open with a special discount right now on several platforms.
• The universe and storytelling centered around collecting memories provide a strong emotional dimension.

Let’s explore together these elements that make Memories in Orbit a much-anticipated science fiction video game on the French and international scene.

Official release date of Memories in Orbit: All key information to remember

January 20, 2026, has become the date etched in the calendar of fans of this French game. Originally scheduled for a 2025 release, the project benefited from an additional extension approved during the December 2025 PC Gaming Show, thus giving the Douze Dixièmes studio the necessary time to refine every detail. This date signifies a simultaneous worldwide release, covering five major platforms, ensuring immediate accessibility with no discrimination based on the medium.

The parallel availability on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, and at the launch of Switch 2 represents a major asset for the community. This means that, regardless of the console you own, you will be able to join this space adventure at the same time, thus avoiding player fragmentation. Such synchronization is rare, especially for an independent title, but illustrates how much Focus Entertainment bets on the game’s visibility from the start.

Note that curious players can already test the free demo available on Steam and the Microsoft Store. This trial version offers between two and three hours of content — a generous choice that gives a very good idea of what to expect, particularly in movement mechanics, exploration, and combat. A wise strategy to capture attention and build community loyalty before the final release.

Here is a summary table of the crucial release date information:

Element	Detail
Official release date	January 20, 2026
Platforms	PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, Switch 2
Demo availability	Steam, Microsoft Store (2-3 hours)
Publisher	Focus Entertainment
Developer	Douze Dixièmes (19 people)

One aspect that remains enigmatic for now is the precise time at which the game will be unlocked on platforms on the launch day. Absent from any official announcement, it will be necessary to monitor the respective digital stores to catch this moment. This choice could notably influence the coordination of players eager to share their first impressions or organize parallel sessions, even though the game is entirely single-player.

Gameplay and universe: What the mechanics and adventure of Memories in Orbit offer

This metroidvania heavily relies on the agility and fluidity of the main character, MIO, a robot designed to operate in a complex and hostile environment. The Ark, the name given to the vessel The Vessel, becomes a true playground for movement sensations: the grappling hook, the glider, and wall-clinging offer varied gameplay, tailored for lovers of challenges and intense exploration.

The combat system is also very sharp, offering players to face over 30 enemies with different behaviors and 15 major bosses, each demanding a specific tactical approach. This energizes the battles and avoids monotony that could harm immersion. Each victory allows recovering memories, key elements of the narrative, and upgrading MIO.

Multiple means of movement for controlled exploration

The grappling hook is undoubtedly the flagship tool to venture into the vegetal and industrial maze. Allowing MIO to swing from platform to platform, it creates dynamic sequences reminiscent of the golden age of the genre. The glider facilitates crossing wide chasms or controlled descents over unexplored areas, while the ability to cling to walls provides a welcome verticality to the whole.

This diversity generates a sustained pace and a feeling of freedom appreciated by experienced players as well as those seeking new sensations. After playing several hours, it becomes evident that each movement mechanic is both simple to master and deep in its potential use.

The challenge of battles: variety, bosses, and progression mechanics

Engagement in each confrontation requires observation and adaptation: enemies are not just simple targets but show advanced artificial intelligence that can surprise. With over 15 bosses, difficulty increases gradually, offering intense encounters where every hit counts. Some battles recall the great classics of the genre, where patience and timing determine success.

The memories recovered throughout the adventure are not merely decorative. They help reconstruct the story of the ship and boost MIO’s abilities, which provides a rewarding sense of progression. The narrative aspect is strengthened by a meticulous design where environments are hand-drawn, contributing to creating a universe both nostalgic and futuristic, very much in line with the spirit of the French independent video game.

A French game made with passion: the importance of Douze Dixièmes studio in the video game landscape

Douze Dixièmes is a small French studio of 19 people distinguished by its artisanal development. Unlike large productions relying on third-party graphic engines, this project was made with an internal engine, a sign of a strong will to control every technical and artistic aspect. This approach offers a unique experience, blending finesse and a marked visual identity.

Being published by Focus Entertainment guarantees logistical support and worldwide distribution, without cutting the studio’s creative freedom. The collaboration between these two entities is an example to follow for the French video game scene, demonstrating that quality and independence can coexist.

The choice of a metroidvania is also a nod to the community of nostalgic and demanding players. The title fits into an artistic and technical line that will recall the landmark productions that combined exploration and combat while telling a strong story.

Here is a list illustrating the strengths of this production:

• Mastered development with internal engine for a personalized rendering
• Small team favoring artistic and technical coherence
• Solid publisher offering worldwide and multi-format distribution
• Experience designed for metroidvania and space adventure fans
• Immersive storytelling centered on memory collection

The Memories in Orbit demo: why test it now?

Even before the full release, players have the chance to dive into the game’s universe thanks to a demo available on Steam and the Microsoft Store. With 2 to 3 hours of content, this trial version is not limited to a simple introduction. It allows familiarizing oneself with the controls, the combat system, and experiencing a battle against an important boss, thus offering a convincing preview of the title.

This demo is particularly recommended for those who like to thoroughly analyze their next purchase or prepare to master demanding gameplay. It notably reveals:

1. The movement sensations around the grappling hook and wall-clinging.
2. An immersive atmosphere driven by hand-drawn artistic direction.
3. An environment paced by tension and constant discovery.
4. Introduction to a progression mechanic and a dynamic combat system.

Playing this demo, one realizes that Memories in Orbit aims to provide an unforgettable experience in the adventure and science fiction genre, with well-calibrated gameplay and a unique atmosphere supported by its spatial universe and integrated cinematics.

To miss no news or offers related to this game, it is advised to follow the official platforms and stay attentive to announcements, noting that pre-orders benefit from a 10% discount on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Perspectives and expectations for the launch of Memories in Orbit in 2026

The launch of Memories in Orbit promises to be a landmark event for the French and international video game scene. The fact of ensuring a simultaneous release on numerous consoles and PCs demonstrates a clear ambition from the studio and publisher: to reach the maximum number of players, whatever their preferred platform.

This strategic positioning is accompanied by thoughtful communication, particularly regarding the availability of a robust demo which, while dispelling mystery, strengthens anticipation around the game. The sci-fi universe of the ruined vessel offers a rich setting for epic adventures, between combat strategy and space exploration.

With renowned competitors like God of War or GTA 6 frequently making the headlines, it is promising to see a French game come to shake up the market with an original approach and undeniable identity. Let’s also mention the ongoing work in other video game areas such as the Monster Hunter Stories 3 series or the new releases of Ark 2, proof that 2026 is a year rich in expected releases.

For all of us who follow this universe with passion, Memories in Orbit represents a promise to watch closely, both for its technical and narrative quality, and for its unique atmosphere blending melancholy and hope at the heart of an abandoned ship.