MIO

The Vessel Map

Navigate the interconnected ark spaceship

Overview

The Vessel

An enormous technological ark that serves as the game's interconnected world. The Vessel features looping paths, locked doors, hidden routes, and biomes with distinct visual identities and environmental challenges.

Design Philosophy

Designed to make players feel slightly lost without being overwhelmed. Landmarks and shortcuts become important as you explore.

Interconnectivity

True Metroidvania design with shortcuts that loop back, allowing faster traversal as you unlock new abilities.

Estimated 15-20 hours for full exploration

Areas & Biomes

Severed Spine

Central Hub
Easy
Industrial/Organic Mix

An early area featuring the nacre pool and Shii. Named after the gigantic spine visible in the background. This area serves as a central hub early in the game.

Features

  • Nacre donation pool with Shii
  • Map unlock location
  • Connection to multiple zones
  • Early crystallization machine

Enemies

Staff-Wielding RobotsSwarm Units

Points of Interest

Shii's Pool
Nacre donation point for map unlock
Central Crystallization Machine
First major save location
Checkpoint Below Open Area
Major checkpoint for early game

Required Abilities

None - starting area
🔒 Multiple hidden paths leading to other zones

Frozen Depths

Environmental Challenge
Medium
Frozen/Mechanical

A frozen area of The Vessel with slippery platforms and ice-based hazards. Requires careful movement to avoid sliding off edges.

Features

  • Slippery terrain mechanics
  • Platforming challenges
  • Unique frozen aesthetics
  • Ice crystal formations

Enemies

Flying ShootersHeavy BruisersStationary Turrets

Points of Interest

Ice Chamber
Under Construction

Hazards

Sliding platformsIcy surfaces that reduce controlFalling icicles

Required Abilities

Wall ClimbEnhanced control recommended
🔒 Hidden paths behind ice walls

Verdant Overgrowth

Exploration Area
Medium
Organic/Nature

Areas where lush vegetation has overtaken the technological environment. Features organic obstacles and nature-machine fusion creating beautiful but dangerous landscapes.

Features

  • Dense vegetation providing cover
  • Vertical climbing sections
  • Bio-mechanical hazards
  • Living plant enemies

Enemies

Plant-infested MachinesMosquito DiversSwarmers

Points of Interest

Ancient Grove
Under Construction

Hazards

Carnivorous plantsToxic sporesEntangling vines

Required Abilities

Wall ClimbGlide recommended
🔒 Hidden merchant location

Tuning Chamber

Secret Boss Arena
Very Hard
Mechanical

A hidden chamber accessible after finding Lura's Seal. Contains the secret boss fight against Sol & Vin. The arena is circular with multiple grapple points.

Features

  • Secret boss encounter
  • Requires exploration to discover
  • Circular arena design
  • Multiple grapple crystals for mobility

Enemies

Sol & Vin (Boss)

Required Abilities

All basic abilities recommendedGrapple essential
Boss: Sol & Vin

Machinery Core

Industrial Area
Hard
Heavy Industrial

Industrial zones filled with active and broken machinery. Features mechanical hazards, tight spaces, and complex vertical navigation.

Features

  • Moving machinery hazards
  • Puzzle elements with timing
  • Dense mechanical aesthetics
  • Conveyor belts and crushers

Enemies

Heavy BruisersTurretsFlying Shooters

Points of Interest

Central Forge
Under Construction
Old Module Cache
Hidden Old Modules location

Hazards

Crushing pistonsLaser gridsMoving platformsSteam vents

Required Abilities

GrappleGlidePrecise platforming
🔒 Secret path to early-game area shortcut

The Depths

Late Game Area
Very Hard
Dark/Corrupted

The lowest accessible areas of The Vessel. Dark, mysterious, and filled with the most dangerous enemies. Home to several guardian bosses.

Features

  • Low visibility areas
  • Strongest enemies
  • Multiple boss encounters
  • Critical story revelations

Enemies

All enemy typesElite variantsGuardian Bosses

Points of Interest

Pearl Chamber
Under Construction

Hazards

Environmental darknessCorruption zonesInstant-death pits

Required Abilities

All abilities required
🔒 Multiple secret areas and optional bosses

Skyward Reaches

Vertical Challenge
Hard
High Altitude/Open Air

The upper areas of The Vessel with emphasis on vertical platforming and aerial combat. Requires mastery of aerial abilities.

Features

  • Extreme vertical design
  • Aerial combat focus
  • Wind currents affecting movement
  • Breathtaking vistas

Enemies

Flying ShootersMosquito DiversAerial variants

Points of Interest

Observation Deck
Scenic overlook of The Vessel

Hazards

Long fallsWind gustsAerial turrets

Required Abilities

GlideAerial Attack Chain mastery
🔒 Hidden modifier merchant at the peak

Important Landmarks

Crystallization Machines

Machines throughout The Vessel that allow you to crystallize nacre, making it permanent and safe from death. Also serve as healing stations.

Importance:

Critical for progression - serve as de facto save points for resources

Locations:

Found in every major area, usually before challenging sections

Checkpoints

Respawn points scattered throughout The Vessel. Automatically activated when passed. One major checkpoint is located below a large open area early in the game.

Importance:

Death respawns you at the last checkpoint reached

Locations:

Strategically placed before boss fights and difficult platforming

Shortcuts

Unlockable passages that connect distant areas. Once opened, they remain accessible for faster traversal. Often one-way doors or elevators.

Importance:

Essential for reducing backtracking in the interconnected world

Locations:

Connect major areas, usually near crystallization machines

Merchant Stations

NPCs who trade Old Modules and nacre for modifiers, upgrades, and information. Each merchant has unique inventory.

Importance:

Required for obtaining most modifiers and upgrades

Locations:

Hidden throughout the world, often in secret areas

Navigation Tips

  • Pay attention to visual landmarks - distinctive architecture helps orientation
  • The map doesn't auto-update, so memorize your surroundings
  • Look for the color scheme of each biome: blue for ice, green for overgrowth, grey for industrial
  • Shortcuts often connect near crystallization machines for convenient resource management
  • If you're lost, head towards the Severed Spine - it connects to most areas
  • Elevated vantage points often reveal hidden paths and connections

Exploration Rewards

Old Modules

Hidden in secret areas, essential for expanding Allocation Matrix

High - required for build diversity Priority

Hidden Modifiers

Some powerful modifiers are found, not purchased

High - often unique or powerful effects Priority

Nacre Caches

Large deposits of nacre in hidden locations

Medium - speeds up progression Priority

Lore Items

Environmental storytelling and backstory reveals

Low - optional narrative content Priority