As a writer for a site that lives and breathes video games, I’ve had my eye on Yacht Club Games for a long, long time. After the monumental success of Shovel Knight, which became a bona fide indie legend, every one of their subsequent projects has been under a microscope. So when they first unveiled Mina the Hollower back in 2022, my interest was immediately piqued. A new IP from the masters of modern retro? Sign me up. Now, with the official release date of October 31, 2025, rapidly approaching and a demo having made the rounds, it’s time to dig deep and analyze what we can truly expect from this spooky, action-packed adventure.
From the moment the reveal trailer dropped, it was clear that Yacht Club was channeling something different this time. While Shovel Knight was a love letter to the NES platformer, Mina the Hollower pays homage to the top-down, action-adventure gems of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color era, particularly classics like The Legend of Zelda, Link’s Awakening. But as we’ve learned from Yacht Club’s track record, this isn’t just a simple retread. It’s a thoughtful, modern reimagining that respects its inspirations while forging its own path. I’ve been poring over every detail, from the gameplay trailers to the Kickstarter updates, and I have a pretty solid idea of what’s in store for us.
A Gothic World and a Heroine with a Mission
The story of Mina the Hollower immediately sets a hauntingly beautiful tone. We’re introduced to Mina, a whip-wielding, visionary inventor and a member of the elite guild known as the Hollowers. These specialists are masters of a unique technique called “Hollowing,” which allows them to burrow through the earth, moving faster underground than on the surface. Mina’s brilliant Spark Technology brought prosperity to the gloomy Tenebrous Isle, but now the island is in peril. The spark generators have gone out, and a creeping, malevolent evil has begun to take hold. Mina returns to her old stomping grounds on a desperate mission to save the cursed island and her longtime patron, Baron Lionel.
The narrative feels like a classic gothic horror story, filled with mystery and a cast of bizarre characters. Mina herself is a charming protagonist, a mix of scientific genius and fierce combatant. My personal favorite aspect of the story is the contrast between the grim, dark fantasy world and the adorable, 8-bit aesthetic. It’s a juxtaposition that immediately hooked me, and it’s a testament to Yacht Club’s masterful art direction. I’m excited to see how the plot unfolds and what secrets Tenebrous Isle holds in its depths. The world-building, even from the glimpses we’ve seen, looks incredibly rich and full of potential.
Gameplay Mechanics, A Modern Retro Mashup
This is where Mina the Hollower really shines, building on its retro foundation with clever, contemporary design choices. The core gameplay loop is a top-down, fast-paced action-adventure experience. Mina attacks with her trusty whip, Nightstar, but the real game-changer is her Hollowing ability. This mechanic allows her to burrow underground to dodge attacks, bypass obstacles, and even find hidden secrets. It’s an intuitive and unique twist on the genre that I’ve been wanting to see in a modern game. The demo showed just how seamlessly this ability integrates into both combat and puzzle-solving, creating a layer of depth that goes far beyond a simple Zelda clone.
Beyond the whip and the burrowing, Mina has access to an arsenal of “Sidearms,” which are powerful secondary weapons or tools. The limited number of these she can carry at a time suggests a strategic element to encounters, forcing the player to choose the right tool for the job. Additionally, a system of collectible “Trinkets” offers a variety of equipable passive upgrades, allowing players to customize Mina to their unique playstyle.
The game also incorporates RPG elements, much like the last title we reviewed. Mina collects “Bones” from defeated enemies, which act as a currency. Players can “Bone Up” to level up Mina’s stats, such as attack and defense, or even create a special currency called “Bonestone.” However, like any good gothic horror, there’s a risk involved, and players who take too many risks can lose their collected Bones upon death. This mechanic has been a point of discussion in the community, with some seeing it as a Souls-like element that adds a challenging risk-reward loop, while others have expressed concern. I, for one, am optimistic. It’s a system that, if balanced correctly, can make every encounter feel meaningful and every death a learning experience.
To put it all in perspective, here’s a quick rundown of the key features:
| Feature | Description | Inspired By |
| Hollowing Ability | Burrow through the ground to dodge, bypass obstacles, and find secrets. | Original, unique to the game. |
| Nightstar Whip | Mina’s primary weapon, used for combat and environmental interaction. | Castlevania, Classic Action-Adventure |
| Sidearms & Trinkets | Secondary weapons and equipable passive upgrades for strategic customization. | RPGs, modern action games |
| Bones & Bonestones | Currency for leveling up stats, with a risk-reward system upon death. | Soulslike Games, Roguelites |
| 8-bit Aesthetic | A hauntingly authentic visual style reminiscent of Game Boy and Game Boy Color. | The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Game Boy classics |
The Reputation of Yacht Club Games
My confidence in Mina the Hollower comes not just from what I’ve seen of the game itself, but from the impeccable reputation of its developers. Yacht Club Games has consistently proven themselves to be masters of their craft. They’re not just creating nostalgic throwbacks, they’re refining retro gameplay for a new generation. Shovel Knight wasn’t just a hit because it looked like an NES game, it was a hit because its controls were buttery smooth, its level design was genius, and its humor was pitch-perfect.
Yacht Club’s success is built on a few key pillars:
- Flawless Controls: Every game they’ve touched feels incredibly responsive and satisfying to play. This is a non-negotiable for any fast-paced action title.
- Thoughtful Design: They don’t just copy the past, they innovate. They take the best parts of classic genres and add their own unique twists, creating something both familiar and fresh.
- Strong Art Direction: From the pixel art to the character designs, their games have a distinct, appealing style that stands out from the crowd.
- A Commitment to Quality: They take their time. The long development cycle for Mina the Hollower is a sign that they are dedicated to polishing every detail and delivering a game that meets their high standards.
This commitment to quality has earned them a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim. I have no doubt that they will apply the same level of care and expertise to Mina the Hollower. They’ve already successfully demonstrated their ability to tackle different genres with spin-offs like Shovel Knight Dig and Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, so I’m excited to see them take on the top-down action genre.
My Final Expectations and Hopes
My expectations for Mina the Hollower are incredibly high, but I believe Yacht Club Games is more than capable of meeting them. I expect a challenging, but fair, action-adventure game with masterfully designed levels and bosses. I’m hoping for a captivating story with a touch of the macabre, full of memorable characters and surprising twists. The music, composed by the legendary Jake Kaufman and Yuzo Koshiro, is also something I’m particularly hyped for, as their chiptune magic is second to none.
The game is scheduled for release on a wide range of platforms, which is great news for gamers everywhere. It’s coming to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. This widespread availability means more people will get to experience this gem on launch day, October 31, 2025.
In conclusion, Mina the Hollower is shaping up to be another indie masterpiece from a developer at the top of their game. It’s a project that honors the past while embracing the future of game design, and I have every reason to believe it will be an unforgettable experience. My advice is simple: if you’re a fan of retro-inspired games, or just great games in general, you need to have Mina the Hollower on your radar.
What are your thoughts? Are you as excited as I am to delve into the darkness of Tenebrous Isle, or do you have any reservations about the new direction? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to check back for our full review when the game drops, as part of our ever-growing category of Gaming Insights.
