‘Mina the Hollower’ is my indie game of the year

Kevin Hofer

16/6/2026

Translation: machine translated

Anyone who enjoyed Shovel Knight will love Mina the Hollower. This masterfully crafted action-adventure game stands out thanks to its clever dungeon design, a well-thought-out combat system and a charming retro aesthetic.

Dig, surface, strike, dodge – and start all over again. No sooner have I mastered a tricky platforming section than an oversized mouse wielding a club blocks my path. With my last ounce of strength, I defeat it, only to walk straight into a mousetrap seconds later – and die. Yet again.

«Mina the Hollower» gives me no respite, and that’s exactly what makes it so appealing.

One mouse, one mission – and little else

Mina, the eponymous mouse, is an explorer and inventor. Her «Spark Generators» supply the island of Tenebrous with energy – until Thorne, the former guardian of her patron Baron Lionel, sabotages the generators. A simple but appealing premise.

But the story remains lacklustre. Mina barely speaks, and the plot recedes so far into the background that it almost vanishes. It’s a shame, as the opening does spark interest in the character. At least the supporting characters in Ossex, the central town, lend the world enough personality to make up for the weak plot.

Their comments are funny, such as when I kick away the boys’ makeshift ball tin. Their advice is helpful, like the tip from a gecko to steal the ladder from the gorilla vendor. And their side quests spark my curiosity – such as the story of a frog who lives in a barrel and wants to return to his band.

But the plot isn’t the reason I keep playing.

Ossex: a city full of secrets

Ossex is the starting point for all adventures. Here, I equip Mina, buy upgrades and discover hidden corners that often hold surprises. The town grows with me, and the pace at which I explore its possibilities remains consistently satisfying.

Outside the city walls, I’m on my own. The enemies become more aggressive, the environments more complex. Yet the game follows a clear principle: anything that stands out visually has a function. A different texture might indicate a destructible wall, an unusual pattern, or a hidden path. The minimalist Game Boy Colour aesthetic conveys these clues with surprising clarity – most of the time, at least.

One minor criticism remains: at first, it’s difficult to find your bearings in the graphics. I often fall because I can’t tell where I can jump to. But that sorts itself out as soon as I’ve got to grips with the design.

Digging as a key mechanic

Mina’s most important ability is digging. I use it to dodge attacks, overcome obstacles and open up new paths. When she surfaces, Mina jumps again – a simple trick that turns out to be a central element.

The dungeons seem linear at first, but appearances can be deceiving. Hidden branches, tricky platforming sections and puzzles that make creative use of the dungeon layout turn every room into a challenge. Poisonous swamps, narrow labyrinths full of traps, surreal underworlds – every area feels unique and challenges me in a different way.

I’m particularly impressed by the fact that there’s no detailed map. Just a rough world map that I have to buy. I have to memorise the rest. That sounds frustrating, but it’s actually the opposite: because I’m mentally mapping the world, I really get to know it. When, after getting lost, I suddenly realise how everything fits together, it’s a sense of achievement that no tutorial can replace.

Fight, die, improve

The combat system is simple, yet deep. At the start, I choose one of three weapons; I unlock more later on. Each weapon handles differently and can be upgraded, opening up new possibilities. A shield, for example, parries attacks, but after an upgrade it can also be thrown.

Normal enemies pose a challenge, especially in groups. But the boss battles are the highlight: multi-phase, with varying attack patterns that demand precision and timing – even for healing breaks, which I have to carve out for myself during the fight.

I particularly remember the boss in the Septemberburg section – an area influenced by Halloween. Here, the Carving Man chases me in true Mr X style, à la «Resident Evil 2», across several screens. I can’t fight him at first and have to flee. This is quite stressful, and I realise I’m still a long way from having mastered the game’s mechanics.

Checkpoints allow me to switch weapons and equipment. This is also where I store my Bones, the game’s currency. I use them not only to buy weapons, but also to upgrade my Attack, Defence and Secondary Weapons stats. If I die without a protection resource, I lose everything. This forces me to constantly weigh up my options: should I spend now or keep collecting? Level up or get a new item? This simple system keeps me on my toes.

Retro charm with a few minor flaws

Visually, «Mina the Hollower» is a tribute to the Game Boy Color – and yet more than that. The pixel art is rich in detail, the animations are smooth, and the art design is cohesive. Each area has its own atmosphere, reflected in the colour palette, music and enemy design.

Nox’s Bayou, for example, is a floodplain where I have to watch out for deeper waters. On the snow-covered Coltrane Peak, I have to contend with icy surfaces. In the terrifying Queensbury Crypt, spikes send me to the great beyond more than once.

The soundtrack drives the game forward, particularly during the boss battles. The music intensifies as the situation escalates and motivates me to try again when I fail.

Difficult by default, but customisable

In case it hasn’t become clear yet: «Mina the Hollower» is absolutely brutal. The start, in particular, is a real challenge. But once I’ve got the hang of the mechanics and Mina has levelled up a few times, everything becomes much easier.

For anyone who likes it a bit easier – or even harder – the game offers various modifiers. For example, I can increase or reduce the damage I take. However, options that make the game easier prevent you from achieving certain achievements, which is a shame.

Kevin Hofer

Senior Editor

kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.ch

From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.

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