MIO: Memories In Orbit limits your exploration according to the abilities that you’ve unlocked for Mio from Samsk. The first ability you get is Hairpin, followed by Dodge. Then, you finally unlock Glide, which is where you start to open up how much of the map you can explore.
I love Glide, because this is when I finally felt like I could explore the world. You gain access to areas that were previously unavailable, such as the area on the right side of Haven that requires you to Glide over a length of Gloomwater.
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Getting the Glide Upgrade
In order to get Glide, you need Hairpin. You also need to open up a fair amount of the Bell Tower, including the Pendulum’s Panorama level of the elevator, as that’s where you’re going to find the platforming section that leads to Samsk’s tube, granting you the Glide ability.
Looking at the map, you need to go to the left from where the Pendulum’s Panorama option on the elevator takes you. There’s an opening that has the red tendrils that murder you if you touch them on the top and bottom of the opening, but then there’s a little platform that you can reach with a double jump between the tendrils.
From here, you go to the left, up, to the right, up, and then to the left once more to reach a platform that has Samsk’s tube. There are flowers you can hit to replenish energy on the left side when you go up in the platforming section. Then, you also need to use the bouncy leaves that are in the tendril sections to get a boost.
At the top, interact with Samsk’s tube. Samsk shows up, and you go through the now-familiar upgrade section that teaches you how to use your new ability.
Using Glide
In effect, Glide is like a floating ability. You can jump, then use Glide to travel across an area without touching the ground as long as you have the energy for it. Like other abilities, you can replenish your energy by hitting an enemy, letting you Glide across longer distances.
You’ll also find that you’re going to face bosses that make using Glide a necessity, as it lets you stay above certain attacks that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to dodge.
After you explore with Glide and take down some bosses, you’ll be able to unlock the next ability, which is also my favorite: Crawl.
