When an Indie Game Beats Every AAA Title of the Year
On May 28–29, 2026, something remarkable happened: a pixel-art indie game from the creators of Shovel Knight quietly became the highest-rated game of 2026.
Mina the Hollower by Yacht Club Games hit Metacritic 93 and OpenCritic 93 at launch, earning 11 perfect 10/10 scores in its first wave of reviews. It stands above Forza Horizon 6 (91), Resident Evil Requiem (89), and 007 First Light (87) — and the gap isn't close.
For a studio whose founder described this as a "make-or-break" release, the verdict couldn't be clearer.
Game Overview
| Field | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Mina the Hollower | |
| Developer | Yacht Club Games | |
| Publisher | Yacht Club Games | |
| Platforms | PC (Steam/GOG/Humble), PS5, Xbox Series X\ | S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Release Date | May 28–29, 2026 | |
| Genre | Action Adventure | |
| Protagonist | Mina — a renowned Hollower | |
| Steam App ID | 1875580 | |
| Metacritic | 93 | |
| OpenCritic | 93 |
Developer: Yacht Club Games
Founded in 2011, Yacht Club Games made its name with Shovel Knight (2014), an 85-Metacritic indie platformer that became a touchstone for the genre. The studio spent over a decade expanding the Shovel Knight universe with expansions and spin-offs.
Mina the Hollower is Yacht Club's first game entirely outside the Shovel Knight family — ever.
Studio founder Sean Velasco went on record describing Mina the Hollower as "make-or-break for sure." The pressure was immense. The result? Their highest Metacritic score yet, and arguably the best game of 2026 so far. At 93, it's even above every Shovel Knight release.
Story
A renowned Hollower named Mina is dispatched on a desperate mission to rescue a cursed island. Players must whip foes, burrow through the ground, and explore a vast pixel-art world saturated with darkness, secrets, and bizarre characters.
The game's tonal blend of dark atmosphere and sharp humor draws comparisons to the best of the action-adventure genre — think Zelda meets Elden Ring, filtered through Yacht Club's signature charm.
Gameplay
Combat
| Mechanic | Description |
|---|---|
| Whip | Primary weapon — strike enemies, pull objects, chain combos |
| Burrow | Dig underground to dodge hazards, launch surprise attacks, find hidden paths |
| Sidearms | Collectible secondary weapons with diverse effects |
| Trinkets | Equippable accessories for ability customization |
| Boss Fights | Large-scale, creative boss encounters throughout |
Exploration
- ▶Expansive open world packed with mysteries and multi-layer dungeons
- ▶Interconnected areas with secrets tied to your ability progression
- ▶Hallowed pixel-perfect graphics and an "infectious" original soundtrack
- ▶Combat-exploration loop built around the burrow mechanic
Platform Availability
| Platform | Status | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Available | App ID: 1875580 | |
| PC (GOG) | Available | DRM-Free | |
| PC (Humble Bundle) | Available | ||
| PS5 | Available | ||
| Xbox Series X\ | S | Available | |
| Nintendo Switch | Available | ||
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Available | Nintendo Switch 2 Edition |
Critic Score Breakdown
| Outlet | Score | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| IGN | 10/10 | "An absolute masterpiece of an adventure" |
| The Gamer | 10/10 | "An almost faultless retro masterpiece" |
| GameBible | 10/10 | "Perfect" — no cons listed |
| Game Informer | 8.8/10 | "Thoughtful design, contemporary feel" |
| Nintendo Life | 92/100 | Highest-rated game of 2026 on Metacritic |
| Metacritic Aggregate | 93/100 | 11 perfect 10s in first review wave |
Key Review Quotes
""Even if all you've played is Breath of the Wild and Elden Ring, don't let the retro look fool you: Mina the Hollower will scratch the same itch, with an open world that's crammed with mysteries worth finding and lively, clever combat I couldn't get enough of. It's a big game in a small package, and an absolute masterpiece of an adventure." — IGN, 10/10
""Mina the Hollower is an almost faultless game that combines elements of nostalgic classics we know and love with a healthy dose of Yacht Club's flair and expertise to make it something that truly stands out as a retro-inspired masterpiece. I could honestly play it forever, with Yacht Club proving that it's not just a one game studio with yet another bonafide classic." — The Gamer, 10/10
""Mina the Hollower looks like a nostalgic throwback, and it undeniably is, but its thoughtful design and larger sensibilities make it play and feel like a contemporary video game — one that has taken the right lessons from the medium's history." — Game Informer, 8.8/10
Screenshots
Nintendo of America official launch trailer — 125,000+ views
Yacht Club Games official channel — launch trailer (56,600+ views)
PlayStation official channel — PS5 version trailer (49,500+ views)
2026 Metacritic Leaderboard
| Rank | Game | Score | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Mina the Hollower | 93 | Indie Action-Adventure |
| 🥈 2nd | Forza Horizon 6 | 91 | Racing |
| 🥉 3rd | Resident Evil Requiem | 89 | Survival Horror |
| 3rd | Pokémon Pokopia | 89 | RPG |
| 5th | 007 First Light | 87 | Action-Adventure |
Community Reaction
Reddit, X, and Steam Communities exploded with positive reactions at launch:
- ▶"Shovel Knight was great but Mina is on another level. Yacht Club proved they're not a one-trick pony."
- ▶"Zelda + Elden Ring energy but at indie pricing. Best purchase decision of the year."
- ▶"11 perfect 10s at launch. Is this the 2026 GOTY?"
- ▶"Higher Metacritic than every Shovel Knight release. Yacht Club fully leveled up."
- ▶"The pixel art style is hiding how massive this open world actually is. Genuinely surprised."
Nintendo Life noted that Mina the Hollower "may echo last year's Silksong, which had a 90 score and led it to be a GOTY nominee."
Buying Guide
Who Should Buy This
- ▶Fans of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom
- ▶Elden Ring / soulslike players who appreciate tight combat
- ▶Shovel Knight veterans ready for the studio's next leap
- ▶Anyone who dismissed indie games as "lesser" — this is the counterargument
- ▶Retro pixel-art lovers who want genuine depth behind the visuals
Platform Recommendations
| Platform | Best For |
|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Best modding potential, highest framerate options |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Perfect for portable sessions |
| PS5 | DualSense haptic support, console-optimized |
GamePeak Verdict
Buy immediately. Metacritic 93 with 11 perfect 10s in the first review wave — this isn't hype, it's consensus. Mina the Hollower is the most impressive indie release since Shovel Knight, and the game of the year front-runner heading into summer. Available now across all major platforms.
Sources: Metacritic, OpenCritic, IGN, The Gamer, Game Informer, GameBible, Nintendo Life, Yahoo Tech, Forbes, Yacht Club Games official