Mina the Hollower Reviews Crown Yacht Club Games With a New 2026 Masterpiece
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Yacht Club Games' Mina the Hollower is receiving critical acclaim, capturing the highest review scores of 2026 so far with its blend of retro style and Soulslike action.
Yacht Club Games has officially shaken up the 2026 Game of the Year race. According to Polygon's review roundup, their latest retro adventure Mina the Hollower has debuted to critical acclaim, sitting comfortably at a 93 on Metacritic and instantly dethroning Forza Horizon 6 as the highest-rated game of the year. Reviewers across the board are praising the title as a masterclass in design, successfully blending the nostalgic charm of Game Boy Color aesthetics with the tense, methodical combat of modern Soulslike titles like Bloodborne.
Critics highlight the game's remarkable depth, pointing to its sprawling, mystery-filled world, sharp chiptune soundtrack by Jake Kaufman, and smart accessibility options. Publications like IGN awarded the game a 10 out of 10, noting that its clever combat and hidden secrets scratch the same itch as sprawling modern epics like Elden Ring. Meanwhile, outlets like Kotaku emphasized that while the game maintains a challenging edge, its flexible suite of custom difficulty adjustments lets players tailor the experience on the fly without sacrificing the core adventure.
For a studio that already set a high bar with Shovel Knight, Mina the Hollower proves that retro-inspired indie projects can rival AAA juggernauts in scope and cultural impact. As word of mouth spreads across streaming and social platforms, this indie darling is shaping up to be an absolute must-play across the board. You can read the full review roundup over at Polygon.
Tags: Mina the Hollower, Yacht Club Games, Indie Games, Gaming News, Polygon
Original article: Polygon