u/Loud_Experience4903

Many retro-inspired indie games lose their way by mixing concepts from very different gaming eras, which can make both the design and gameplay feel inconsistent (for example, drawing characters in pixel art but animating them with the fluidity of a modern cartoon). However, Mina the Hollower is remarkably cohesive. I can easily imagine this game running perfectly on an NES or a Game Boy Color.

I also loved how rewarding the exploration feels. You never have to stray too far from the main objective to discover new areas, items, or outfits, which makes the game much more engaging. My character is purple because I found a secret item that lets me change her color at the atelier in Ossex, all without spending hours grinding. I just had to pay attention to the dialogue and stay curious.

The only thing I didn't like was the corpse run mechanic. In my opinion, it should have been the classic "die and return to the checkpoint" system. Still, the game is so good that this wasn't enough to stop me from loving it.