Julius Posted February 1, 2022 Posted February 1, 2022 (edited) Well, this was the big takeaway from tonight's Yacht Club presentation, and it looks great (looks very Game Boy Colour and Link's Awakening meets Castlevania): Quote Mina the Hollower is a bone-chilling action-adventure game featuring classic gameplay and an 8-bit aesthetic in the style of Game Boy Color, refined for the modern era. Quick and deliberate 60fps action combat, captivating world design, and top-down adventuring combine in a nostalgic blend. Whip foes, burrow through the ground, and explore a pixel-perfect world in Mina the Hollower, a brand new game from the developers who brought you Shovel Knight! Choosing to "go back to their routes" and get partial funding for this game through Kickstarter (link to the game's Kickstarter here), but they've stated that they will be investing in the game themselves also, so it seems like it's mainly for the purpose of stretch goals and so that they get some of that money trickling in now from higher tiers. Still, I think that's a really bizarre decision given just how well Shovel Knight and everything to do with it has done, and just how much they've grown in size and stature in the years since. Estimated delivery on their Kickstarter is currently December 2023, though I'm sure that is subject to change. Edited February 1, 2022 by Julius 1
Ronnie Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) So the "groundbreaking announcement" was... a new game via a Kickstarter. The gameplay looks ok, but frankly I find the visuals to be really ugly. The colour palette and the low resolution especially. Meh, I'm sure it'll be great, but at this moment in time I'm a bit disappointed. Also I'm not sure a Nintendo Direct Yacht Club Presents was needed for that set of "announcements". Edited February 2, 2022 by Ronnie
killthenet Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 Really glad they're working on something brand new and not stuck making Shovel Knight spin offs but yeah, it's a bit odd that they're putting it on Kickstarter. That trailer showed off quite a lot of stuff, I'd be surprised if it takes them until next December to finish it but like you say, the stretch goals that will inevitably come from the campaign will probably bloat the development considerably so it might even be a conservative estimate
Glen-i Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 1 hour ago, Ronnie said: So the "groundbreaking announcement" was... a new game via a Kickstarter. You're kidding, right? You've been moaning for ages that Yacht Club is too focused on Shovel Knight, and when they reveal something new, you react with sheer indifference? Anyway, I think it looks great! Loads of games go for the NES vibe, but the Game Boy Colour aesthetic is very rare to see these days. And the amount of different intriguing items that trailer shows promises some really elaborate techniques to learn. I'm very much sold! 1
Dcubed Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) This looks awesome!! Link's Awakening meets Castlevania you say? Sign me the hell up! So glad to finally see Yacht Club Games move beyond Shovel Knight! At last! Let's just hope that they don't make the same mistake as last time and get themselves stuck in a corner where they're forced to spend the next 10 years fulfilling ridiculous & outlandish stretch goals... Edited February 2, 2022 by Dcubed
Hero-of-Time Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 2 hours ago, Dcubed said: Let's just hope that they don't make the same mistake as last time and get themselves stuck in a corner where they're forced to spend the next 10 years fulfilling ridiculous & outlandish stretch goals... Yeah, this is also my fear. Game looks great and I look forward to its release. I'm just happy it was a game announcement. With what's been going on in the industry, I was half expecting their big announcement would be that they have been bought be someone.
Ronnie Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 7 hours ago, Glen-i said: You're kidding, right? You've been moaning for ages that Yacht Club is too focused on Shovel Knight, and when they reveal something new, you react with sheer indifference? I've not been moaning for ages that they're too focused on Shovel Knight, I don't know where you got that from. I've been moaning that they're too focused on the original game, instead of creating a sequel. My last post on it literally asked for a proper sequel to the original game. The part you quoted isn't even speaking of indifference about Mina, it was calling them out at overhyping a simple game reveal that's years away, via Kickstarter. Glad you like the aesthetic, I'm personally not a fan.
Dufniall Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 Looks interesting, although they have borrowed quite some assets from the Zelda series. But indeed a weird move to put this on Kickstarter as well, especially as only the high $100 tier gives access to a physical copy. This and the december 2023 release date (surely with this kind of footage already this game is not 2 years away?) make me a bit hesitant about Yacht Club's business practice. Guess we will just wait (a while!) and see.
Glen-i Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 4 hours ago, Ronnie said: I've not been moaning for ages that they're too focused on Shovel Knight, I don't know where you got that from. I've been moaning that they're too focused on the original game, instead of creating a sequel. My last post on it literally asked for a proper sequel to the original game. Oh right... My apologies then. 1
MindFreak Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 The Kickstarter goal has been met. Not surprising. The game looks solid, and even though it's quite far away, I look forward to seeing more of it.
Ronnie Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 I didn't mean to sound so harsh on the game, I'm sure it'll be fantastic. It's just hard to get much motivation for it now when it's two years away (probably closer to three when the inevitable delay(s) happens).
Aperson Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 Surely Shovel Knight has to make a cameo in this game right? I think its easy to pidgeon hole indie studios into their association with one particular indie game. There's tons of indie games out there by so many different studios and doing it alone takes a lot of time, if one gets traction and becomes popular the way Shovel Knight has, then your studio becomes known as the Shovel Knight guys. While I would have loved for them to make a Shovel Knight 2, I do have respect for YCG for wanting to diversify their portfolio and make something new. Besides, doing an indie game sequel to a game that carved out a devoted fanbase brings its own pressures, your a small dev team, sometimes just a single person, working with the weight and demands of millions of people who don't understand that making an indie game takes even longer than the amount of time big studios can create sequels to their IPs. The most high profile example of that has to be Hollow Knight Silkesong. Fans are begging Team Cherry to show off the game ever more even though Team Cherry is a 3 man operation developing a sequel to an indie game that was almost as large as most triple A games. The sequel is going to take a lot of time! Indie scene has come a long way since Shovel Knight came out in 2014 although thanks to his numerous cameos I think he remains one of the most popular indie characters to this day. I will admit I never really did much more than the base campaign back in 2014, I did start Plague Knight's campaign but didn't get very far with it. Good luck to YCG. They're clearly a very talented game studio so I'm sure by the time this is out it will be a good game. At the very least I'm sure The Completionist will make a review of it!
Dcubed Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) YCG have already made Shovel Knight 2,3,4 and Mega Man Soccer the Fighting Game spin-off! How much more Shovel Knight do you want!? Edited February 2, 2022 by Dcubed
Glen-i Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 1 minute ago, Dcubed said: YCG have already made Shovel Knight 2,3,4 and Mega Man Soccer the Fighting Game spin-off! How much more Shovel Knight do you want!? To be fair, Shovel Knight 2 was more of an alternative Shovel Knight. A Shovel Knight Remix if you will.
Jonnas Posted February 2, 2022 Posted February 2, 2022 Gotta say, as a big Game Boy (Colour) fan... this game looks really good! I'm fine with the NES aesthetic, but this Game Boy look is what truly tickles my nostalgia bone. It's weird that it'll only come out in late 2023, but whatever, I'll keep this in my sight. 1 1
Julius Posted February 3, 2022 Author Posted February 3, 2022 (edited) Game Informer have shared their hands-on preview, for anyone who wants to see a bit more: Edited February 3, 2022 by Julius 1
darksnowman Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 There is another 30 min vid without commentary for anyone wanting to further bone up on Mina The Hollower. 1
darksnowman Posted March 2, 2022 Posted March 2, 2022 Quote Koshiro will contribute two guest tracks for Mina the Hollower. Yacht Club extended a thanks to Brave Wave for helping set up the collaboration. https://www.destructoid.com/mina-the-hollower-yacht-club-games-guest-composer-koshiro/ The man, the myth, the legend himself, Yuzo Koshiro (Etrian Odyssey, 7th Dragon) will be contributing a pair of tracks to Mina. 1 1
Glen-i Posted June 14 Posted June 14 Watching that live, I literally said "Coming Soon" halfway. Called it! Spoiler 1
darksnowman Posted June 14 Posted June 14 As long as they keep these snippets coming we can bone up in the meantime until we're boning up in-game. 1
darksnowman Posted June 15 Posted June 15 Quote Let us descend into the depths of 'Mina the Hollower,' our spine-tingling new action-adventure game. Mina is our next game featuring classic gameplay with a modern twist. inspired by 8-bit handhelds, 'Mina the Hollower' delivers smooth 60fps action combat, a world full of mystery and horror, and classic top-down adventuring. You shall play as Mina, a whip-wielding Hollower and visionary inventor, who embarks on a quest to restore power to Tenebrous Isle after receiving a troubling letter from Baron Lionel. Utilizing her unique Hollowing abilities, Mina can burrow through the ground, use a plethora of weapons and trinkets to vanquish monsters, and uncover the island's dark secrets. As this expansive new adventure continues to take shape, we are nearing the completion of the initial pass on all level content. Our diligent team is now focused on crafting the final, most treacherous level. The last of the primary weapons and sidearms are being meticulously integrated, bringing Mina's deadly arsenal to its full, fearsome potential. As 'Mina the Hollower' has evolved, it has grown significantly larger than initially anticipated, incorporating an expansive overworld and more RPG elements. As we approach the next phases - balancing the gameplay, refining the script, and polishing every gory detail - the anticipation is palpable here at Yacht Club Games. We cannot wait to deliver a game teeming with fun and fear! Stay tuned for more updates as we breathe life into 'Mina the Hollower'—oh, the horror and delight that await! This, boys and ghouls, is going to be something truly special. Stay tuned for a grand trailer and gameplay reveal in the near future. Longer vid with voice over.
Recommended Posts