Mina The Hollower is a retro-inspired 2D top-down action-adventure game with a punishing, yet charming world. Players take on the role of Mina, a Hollower mouse, as she fights through hordes of enemies, traps, and bosses to restore generators and save a cursed island. It feels like a mix of Castlevania in the form of classic Zelda, with a sprinkle of Ghost ‘n Goblins, and a dash of Dark Souls.

“Everything is earned in Mina the Hollower.” I found myself repeating this after countless deaths to what looks like a forgiving world on the surface. It’s charming – but definitely not easy, and honestly, that tracks. It wasn’t until the final stretch, when mousetraps showed up as an obstacle, that it clicked: “oh yeah, I AM a mouse.” It’s easy to forget, because Mina can start to feel like a beast as you master traversal, unlock trinkets, sidearms, and weapon upgrades, but she’s still small in a world that’s thematically, overwhelmingly larger than her. You’re supposed to feel punished; you’re supposed to feel like Mina – barring pitfalls and hazard deaths, of course. While the methodical combat, larger-than-life bosses, and even the pacing of healing all reinforce a lot of the soulslike comparisons, it’s this idea of world scale and immersion that’s often forgotten when considering the ingredients of the genre and something that I find charming here.

It feels like a lost ’80s–’90s gem – polished just enough by Yacht Club to keep its spirit intact. Old-school design (contact damage, heavy knockback, real punishment) meets modern QoL, so it never feels dated. The world is charmingly dark, packed with lore, varied biomes, and fresh mechanics that keep things from getting stale. It’s tough but fair with every failure still feeling like something you can overcome – which makes pushing through it that much more rewarding. If you’re itching for that old-school top-down adventure feeling, this feels like a best-in-class example worth checking out!

– Deron Mann