Mina the Hollower is My New GOTY

July 16, 2026 - 04:08

Yacht Club Games has done it again. The studio behind the beloved Shovel Knight series just released Mina the Hollower, and for one critic, it has already claimed the top spot for Game of the Year. Iain calls it his GOTY, and the reasoning goes deeper than simple nostalgia.

At first glance, Mina the Hollower looks like a straightforward 8-bit throwback. It uses a top-down 2D perspective that immediately brings classic Zelda games to mind. But the comparison stops there. The game layers in mechanics that feel borrowed from the Soulslike genre, but without the punishing frustration. Combat is deliberate. Every swing of Mina's whip or toss of a dagger requires timing and positioning. Enemies hit hard, but death never feels unfair. You learn the patterns, you adapt, and you push forward.

The setting is a gothic world full of creepy creatures and crumbling castles. The pixel art is crisp and full of personality. Each area has its own mood, from damp crypts to moonlit forests. The music, composed by Jake Kaufman, sets the tone perfectly. It is catchy without being distracting.

What really sells the experience is the sense of discovery. The map is not linear. You can explore, find hidden paths, and uncover secrets that make you feel clever. The game respects your intelligence. It does not hold your hand, but it also does not waste your time.

For anyone who grew up on 8-bit adventures but wants something with modern design sensibilities, Mina the Hollower delivers. It is a tight, polished, and deeply satisfying game that earns every bit of praise it gets.