The Ultimate MIO Collectibles Guide: 100% Completion & Trophy Roadmap

Navigating the sprawling world of MIO can feel overwhelming, with over 1,400 collectibles hidden across its zones. This guide cuts through the clutter, providing a clear breakdown of every essential item, upgrade, and secret. You'll learn exactly what to collect, where to find it, and how to efficiently achieve 100% completion.

Map Features & Filter Categories (90 Total)

The MIO map doesn't mess around. We're looking at 1,466 markers spread across 90 distinct categories, which honestly feels overwhelming until you realize you can toggle almost everything off.

Here's how the filters actually break down:

Upgrade materials are probably what you'll track most:

• Coating Components (19)
• Forebears Legacy (5)
• Modifier Extensions (3)
• Old Cores (39) - these are everywhere, seriously

Key Items you'll need for progression:

• Candles (12)
• Fragmented Serial Numbers (6)
• Bell Tower Visitor Pass (2)
• Single items like Aviaries Passepartout, Friendly Invitation, Old-fashioned Key, and Silo Access Badge
• Plus 2 miscellaneous items

Abilities show one marker each for Hairpin, Dodge, Harvester, Sail (Glide), Flowing Steps, Striders, and Slingshot.

Modifiers are the real monster category with 40+ types including Afterimage, Analyser, Bird of Prey, Black Widow, Counter Measures, Defense Mechanism, Energy Leecher, Enhanced Dodge, and plenty more.

You can flip any category on or off whenever you want, which means you won't be squinting at a screen flooded with icons when you're just trying to find that last damn Candle.

How to Unlock & Access The Map Early

Here's the deal: MIO doesn't give you a map at the start. The developers want you to learn the ship's layout the hard way, which means you'll be running around lost for a bit.

Your ticket out of confusion is Shii, an NPC hanging out just above the Nexus in the starting area. You'll need to donate approximately 350 Nacre Droplets to fill their pond, and boom - basic map unlocked.

But wait, there's more. That basic map only works at specific terminals. If you want to pull up the map anywhere (and you absolutely do), you'll need to drop another 2,000 Nacre on Shii for the portable version. That's 2,500 total, so start saving early.

One last thing - your map only tracks what you've actually discovered. You can't just peek at everything from the start; you'll need to explore each area to fill in the details. So get walking.

Essential Collectible Types & Their Functions

Coating Components (24 Total) - Health Upgrades

You’ll want to grab every Coating Component you see because these things are literally life-saving. Each one you pick up gets you closer to a bigger health bar, and every four components you collect adds a brand new health slot. With 24 scattered throughout the game, you’re looking at a total of six extra health slots if you track them all down. That’s the difference between tanking a boss hit and getting sent back to your last save, so they’re not exactly optional if you’re struggling with survival. Snagging all of them also nabs you the 'Fully Shielded' trophy, which is a nice bonus for the completionists out there.

Old Cores (39 Total) - Ability Currency

Old Cores are your main currency over at Mel’s shop, and you’ll be dumping them into new abilities and upgrades throughout your run. The good news? All 39 of them are permanently available, which means you can’t permanently miss any even if you blast through the story. You can always backtrack and clean up later, so don’t stress about using a guide on your first playthrough. Just know that every core you find is another chunk of power waiting at Mel’s, whether it’s a movement upgrade or something that changes how your build plays.

Candles (12 Total) - Story & Secret Items

Here’s where things get interesting. The 12 Candles you’ll find aren't just random decorations - they’re key story items that feed directly into the secret ending. Each one sits in a specific zone, so you’ll need to explore thoroughly if you want the full picture. Collecting all 12 doesn’t just change the finale; it also rewards you with the 'Tribute' trophy. If you’re planning on seeing everything the game has to offer, these aren’t something you want to ignore.

Other Key Collectible Categories

Beyond the big three, you’ve got a mountain of other collectibles to track down. We’re talking 42 Modifiers that slot into your matrix with various effects and costs, plus 6 Fragmented Serial Numbers that open up the optional Manufactory area - which is basically a treasure trove of late-game loot. The interactive maps floating around track a ridiculous 1466 markers across 90 different categories, covering everything from keys to upgrade materials. It’s overwhelming at first glance, but that’s the depth of the game for you.

Zone-by-Zone Collectible Breakdown

Early Game Zones (Dwellings, Feral Undergrowth, Foundations)

The first three zones won't stress you too much, but they'll set your collectible baseline. In Dwellings, Candle #1 sits at the end of the initial path, though you'll need the Hairpin ability to actually claim it - which means a return trip later. Feral Undergrowth is where things get interesting, packing roughly 10 modifiers into its underground tunnels, including Self-Awareness that'll reshape your build options. Foundations closes out the early game with Candle #6 hidden deep in the robot city's gateway, and you'll want to search every corner since it's tucked away.

Mid-Game Hubs (Haven, Severed Spine, Metropolis)

Central hubs tie collectibles directly into story beats and weird mechanics. Haven efficiently bundles Candle #4 and The Breath pearl, so you're knocking out two key items in one go. Severed Spine forces you to donate Nacre to Shii just to reveal the map, but at least you can grab Candle #1 and #2 while you're at it. Metropolis, the main hub, naturally delivers The Hand pearl in high-traffic areas you'll pass through anyway.

Advanced Areas (The Vaults, Redacted, Lab)

These zones crank the difficulty, but the rewards justify the pain. The Vaults demands serious platforming skill, yet you'll snag The Eye pearl and a stack of modifiers that'll make you glad you suffered. Redacted pits you against the Vlad boss, so you're getting a proper fight with your collectible. Lab requires the Flowing Steps ability to enter, but inside you'll find the Nacre Overload modifier - arguably one of the strongest in the entire game.

Endgame Zones (Crucible, Promenade, Nexus)

The finish line is in sight, and these zones don't pull punches. Crucible contains The Blood pearl, sitting in a late-game gauntlet that'll test everything you've learned. Promenade is a slight breather. Nexus is where it all ends - you'll fight the final boss here, and you can return for the Gratitude modifier which becomes available after saving Mel during the main story.

Ability Zones (Aviaries, Bell Tower)

Mandatory zones for your moveset, but don't ignore the bonus loot. Aviaries gives you the Dodge ability once you've secured the Aviaries Passepartout key. Bell Tower hands you the Sail/Glide ability from SAMSK, but both zones also hide letters and extra modifiers. Don't just grab your ability and bail - comb these areas for 100% completion.

Hidden Secrets & Missable Collectibles

Breakable Walls & Hidden Passages

Cracked walls are your biggest clue in MIO, and they usually mean something good is hiding behind them. You'll spot these breakable barriers throughout the world, often concealing valuable modifiers and collectibles, but you can't just punch them all - you'll need the Slingshot Punch ability to smash distant barriers you can't reach normally.

When you crack one open, you'll often find a Nacre Basin save point right there, which means you can grab your prize and save immediately. The Makeshift Recovery modifier, for example, is tucked behind a wall near an NPC, while another tricky spot is in City Hall where an energy wall masks a hidden passage leading to a secret area, so keep your eyes peeled for those distinctive cracks as you explore.

Ability-Gated Collectibles

You can't grab everything on your first run through MIO, and that's by design. Many collectibles need specific abilities, so you'll be doing some serious backtracking once you've rounded out your skill set.

Flowing Steps is mandatory for climbing waterfalls, which opens up secrets in both Haven and the Lab. The Nacre Overload secret specifically needs you to scale a waterfall with Flowing Steps, then glide to the end. Speaking of gliding, you'll need the Glide ability to reach tree canopies. The Hand's Greed modifier is found in Haven (Eastern Section) on top of a tree near the Crow landmark.

For the highest spots, you’ll need to combine Hairpin Grapple with Glide or Wall Climb, creating some tricky platforming challenges. The Hairpin ability also lets you squeeze through narrow passages that hide other secrets, and don't forget the post-Anra room in the Lab - it only appears after you beat that boss.

Post-Boss Secret Rooms

Boss fights in MIO sometimes create new opportunities, as secret rooms will appear after defeating certain bosses that weren't accessible before. The Lab area spawns a hidden room after the Anra & Dr Halyn fight.

Similarly, Candle #6 is found in the Halls of History within Foundations, before the Atmos boss fight. If you're hunting for The Blood, you'll need to defeat the Guardian in the deepest part of the Crucible. There's also the Enhanced Dodge modifier hiding in a stairs hole in The Vaults, accessible only after the boss falls. These rooms aren't always obvious, so look carefully for gaps or missing sections between rooms once the battle ends.

Interactive Map Usage Tips & Strategies

Progression Route Optimization

You’re staring down 1,466 markers across 90 categories, so let’s be real - running around blindly will waste hours. The map’s a maze, and you’ll hit dead ends constantly until you get new abilities, which means backtracking is inevitable. The smartest move is grabbing that portable map unlock as soon as possible because it makes tracking everything way less painful.

Here’s how to tackle this efficiently:

Start with ability-gated collectibles first since they open up the rest of the map. You can’t reach half the markers without the dash, double jump, or gravity shift, so prioritize those routes early. Once you’ve got the movement upgrades, loop back through early zones - you’ll spot dozens of markers that were impossible before. After that, sweep each region for Expedition Journals and key items while you’re already there, rather than making separate trips. Finish with the rare stuff like cryptic items or modifiers since they’re usually hidden behind late-game puzzles.

Filter Management for Completionists

Ninety categories sounds overwhelming, but the filter system is your best friend if you use it right. Don’t try to track everything at once - you’ll just clutter your screen and miss stuff.

First, enable main collectibles and ability-gated items so you can see what’s actually reachable. Once you’ve cleared those, switch to keys and story-critical items to make sure you’re not locked out of anything important. After that, filter for upgrades and equipment to power up before the final stretch. Only then should you toggle on the rare categories like cryptic items or hidden modifiers - these are for cleanup, not your first pass. This tiered approach keeps you focused and lets you track progress by zone, so you’ll know exactly what’s missing instead of guessing.

Fast Travel & Backtracking Efficiency

The fast travel system isn't your typical pause-menu teleport, and misunderstanding it will cost you time. You unlock travel by repairing Torn Overseers at Attunement Gates scattered through The Vessel. Each gate you attune to becomes a node, but they only connect if you’ve repaired the Overseer linking them.

Here’s the catch: you can’t teleport from the map screen. You have to physically reach an Overseer and interact with it to jump to another connected region. This means you’ll want to unlock every gate as you progress, even if it feels out of the way, because it’ll save you massive backtracking later. Once the network is built, cleaning up collectibles becomes a matter of hopping between Overseers instead of running across the entire ship. My advice? Repair every Overseer the moment you find it - future you will thank you when you’re not crawling through the same corridors for the twentieth time.

100% Completion Checklist & Trophy Guide

Collectible Totals & Tracking

First things first, let's talk numbers because you'll be hunting a lot of stuff. You'll need 24 Coating Components to max out your health and grab the 'Fully Shielded' trophy, plus 39 Old Cores for the 'The Collector' trophy and to actually buy things from Mel's shop. Then there are 12 Candles scattered around, and grabbing all of those gets you the Defective Core modifier - which you'll need for the secret ending.

Here's the good news that'll save your sanity: nothing is missable. Every single collectible can be grabbed after you finish the main story, so you don't have to stress about following a guide step-by-step on your first run. Just play naturally, then clean up later when you're ready to focus on collectibles.

Ending Requirements (Normal, True, Secret)

You've got three endings to worry about, and they're not all created equal.

The Normal Ending is straightforward - just beat the final boss and you're done. No extra hoops to jump through.

The True Ending requires a bit more legwork. During the main story, you'll need to collect the 4 Voices (Pearl fragments), one of which is obtained by defeating the Hand. This one's story-gated, so you can't mess it up if you're paying attention.

Now for the Secret Ending: you need to collect 4 Voices (Breath, Eye, Blood, Hand), defeat The Hand, repair the wheel mechanism with the Severed Fingertip, solve the wheel puzzle to reach the Crucible, complete both platforming gauntlets to unlock Flowing Steps, and go to the Canopy area to climb the waterfall and defeat the True Final Boss (Shii).

You can actually knock out the Normal and Secret endings in a single playthrough, which means less replay time if you're efficient about it.

Time Estimates & Difficulty Tips

If you're gunning for that Platinum trophy, you're looking at roughly 20 to 25 hours of playtime. The community rates the difficulty at about 6/10 - challenging but not brutal, with most of the difficulty coming from exploration and puzzle-solving rather than combat.

The best part? There are zero missable trophies. You can 100% the game in one go without worrying about locking yourself out of anything. No need for multiple playthroughs unless you want to see the different endings separately, and even then, you can double up on the Normal and Secret endings to save time.

With no permanently missable items, you can explore MIO at your own pace and clean up collectibles after the story. By strategically using the map filters and understanding ability gates, you can systematically conquer every zone and unlock all endings. Now, it's time to return to The Vessel and claim your trophies.