Gothic Action Game by Shovel Knight Developer Sparks Nostalgia in Me with Demo Release (GBA reference implied)
Mina the Hollower: A modern twist on nostalgic games, screaming 2001
Yacht Club Games' latest creation, Mina the Hollower, is an addictive retro action game that takes a stab at reviving the charm of Game Boy Advance gaming. Much like a younger version of me would stay glued to the screen until the batteries died, I couldn't tear myself away.
Kickstarted in 2022, this project amassed over $1.2M and is now dropping a demo available on Steam. It's set to fully release on October 31.
From the get-go, Mina the Hollower screams the early 2000s with its gloomy 8-bit kingdom and a mouse heroine prepared to cleanse it of its malevolent creatures. There's a tinge of Castlevania and some Bloodborne vibes—which I'll get to momentarily. Not much else is explained, and you're thrown right into the action.
As you hack and slash through monsters, hop over obstacles, and uncover hidden rooms, you'll feel a strong connection to this cursed island. Axes and projectiles add variety to combat, providing assistance against flying enemies. Mina can also dig under the ground to dodge attacks, which can be especially useful during boss encounters, when a well-timed burrow could save your health bar.
Health replenishment uses chugging a healing vial, a mechanism reminiscent of Bloodborne's limited healing system. The game also includes a "Rally" system, rewarding players for attacking after taking damage, thus replenishing their HP. Mina the Hollower's difficulty is on par with Bloodborne, making enemies dart around quickly and positioning a vital aspect of combat.
Environments are filled with hidden passages and upper level access points, tempting players to dive deep and soak in the secrets within. The game is abundant with adventure opportunities, and I found myself spending more time poking and prodding than making actual progress. It's a joy to see what lies beneath and where paths lead, with rewards waiting for those willing to venture off the beaten path.
The Mina the Hollower demo is a blast and is playable on Steam right now. The full game is set to launch on October 31.
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Writer's Note:Mina the Hollower, developed by Yacht Club Games, draws inspiration from FromSoftware’s games, particularly Bloodborne, in its combat and progression system. The game's healing, upgrade, and enemy difficulty mechanics bear similarities to Bloodborne, although not to the same extent as a direct imitation.
- The upcoming full release of Mina the Hollower, reminiscent of Game Boy Advance games, shares similarities with FromSoftware's Bloodborne in its combat and progression system, offering a healing system, upgrade mechanics, and challenging enemy encounters.
- Mina the Hollower, set to launch on October 31, is an addictive retro action game that effectively revives the charm of 2000s gaming, offering an environment filled with hidden passages, upper level access points, and adventure opportunities that reward exploration.
- In Mina the Hollower, players can expect a variety of combat methods, including axe attacks, projectiles, and digging under the ground to dodge attacks, all of which contribute to the game's entertaining and challenging gameplay that is akin to both Castlevania and Bloodborne.
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