Mina the Hollower Launches to Critical Acclaim Across Multiple Platforms
Mina the Hollower, the top-down action game from Yacht Club Games, has officially launched on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam & Windows). It is also playable on handheld devices like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally.
The title follows Mina, a mouse inventor, as she investigates sabotaged energy generators on the Tenebrous Isles.
"An absolute masterpiece." — IGN (10/10)
"A retro-inspired masterpiece." — The Gamer (10/10)
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players control Mina, who can burrow underground to become invincible, slide under projectiles, and surprise enemies. The open world allows players to challenge regions in any order.
Combat requires precision. Health potions require recent enemy hits to activate. Death results in the loss of experience currency. The game features whip combat, sidearms, and magic trinkets.
Design and Presentation
The game uses 8-bit pixel-art graphics and a chiptune soundtrack. Its world is compared to The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and the Oracle series, while its dark atmosphere and combat pacing are compared to early Castlevania titles. The game is described as a retro-style isometric 2D action-adventure title inspired by 1990s Game Boy Color games.
Difficulty
Mina the Hollower has an unyielding initial difficulty curve and no pause-screen map. High-level areas can defeat basic enemies in two hits. The healing system encourages aggressive play.
Critical Reception
The game has received a reported Metacritic score of 92 from one source and 93 from another, making it the highest-rated game from Yacht Club Games, surpassing the original Shovel Knight's 85.
The game reportedly features 11 perfect scores out of 33 reviews. Game Informer gave an 8.8/10, noting its thoughtful design.
Company Context
Yacht Club Games, known for the Shovel Knight series, faces financial difficulties. Founder Sean Velasco described Mina the Hollower as "make-or-break" for the studio.