Mina the Hollower might look and play like a classic 8-bit adventure, but it achieves effects not possible on original hardware. Its Tenebrous Isle is a deeply mysterious location that begs to be explored and offers countless ways to do so.
We hear and read about them time and time again… A new indie game inspired by FromSoftware’s punishing soulslikes, but with a new twist. In Mina the Hollower, the allure of the world runs deeper than just overcoming high difficulty. Enemies will kick your ass, and losing all your Bones in a hard-to-reach area can be draining. Yet, the intriguing world of Tenebrous Isle, reminiscent of Bloodborne and Elden Ring, always brings you back.
A World Beyond Hyrule
Tenebrous Isle is much more than a simple riff on The Legend of Zelda’s Hyrule. It is absolutely sprawling, even intimidating in size. Developer Yacht Club Games has filled it with quirky characters, unique traversal methods, and hidden secrets and Easter Eggs. Central to this is Mina’s ability to burrow underground—dig around stone walls or pass intimidating soldiers. This mechanic brings the island to life, especially when you accidentally discover secret areas.
Trinkets and Exploration
The Trinket system—gameplay-modifying collectibles—encourages curiosity. Trinkets like Spike Spurs (walk on spikes, take less damage) and Iron Lung (burrow longer) reward exploration. The six main areas are brimming with such gadgets and can be explored in any order, instilling a sense of wonder similar to roaming Yarnham in Bloodborne.
Prior to playing, I didn’t expect to be let off the leash so early. This design works both for and against the game. Having an entire cursed island to explore with little direction is overwhelming; I spent an hour in Ossex, the central hub, before finding a vein to burrow into. Yet, Yacht Club Games’ trust in players to find their own path highlights the game’s exploratory brilliance.
Rather than rush a review, I knew early on that Mina the Hollower deserved time. Tenebrous Isle’s willingness to reward exploration with trinkets, fights against sentient houses, and other surprises is what sticks with me. Mina the Hollower can be categorized as The Legend of Zelda meets Bloodborne, but not always for the reasons you assume. It is available now on PS5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
