While the Forza Horizon The series has always been stellar, looking at Xbox-published video games FH6 Taking the title of the highest-rated game of the year on OpenCritic wasn't a surprise to anyone a week or so ago, but now it's passed. A brand new release has surpassed the favorites 007 First lightMewgenics, Pokemon Pokopia, Resident Evil requestsand Forza Horizon 6And that's the game Mina the Hollover.
Over at OpenCritic, reviews for Mina the Hollover recently went live ahead of its May 28 release date. OpenCritic lists Forza Horizon 6 as having a 91 top critic average, making it an incredible game of the year, but Mina the Hollower tops it. After 27 reviews, it currently sits at a 92 top critic average.
Forza Horizon 6 review: The winning streak continues
Forza Horizon 6 continues the franchise's winning streak, Playground Games delivers another great open world racing game adventure.
Mina Holover Review Roundup
For the uninitiated, Mina the Hollover Shovel Knight is the latest game from Yacht Club Games of fame. In it, players take on the titular hoover in an action-adventure game with Game Boy Color-era graphics. Players have tons of gear, from sidearms to trinkets, to explore the game to music that's simply infectious. Along the way, players explore exotic locations and meet quirky characters. It features tight controls, a gritty story inspired by Victorian Gothic horror, and face-challenging battles within an interconnected level design. And where it shines, it really shines, it's obvious.
Happy to report that Mina the Hollower is a masterpiece — a mix of 2D Zelda, Castlevania, and Bloodborne with very clever mechanics and fun mysteries. I like it so much that I played it all, got 100%, and then replayed it with the built-in item randomizer. GOTY — Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) 2026-05-27T13:00:17.005Z
Bloomberg's Jason Schrier called it a “masterpiece” that blends 2D. Zelda game, Castlevaniaand blood borne “With loads of clever mechanics and fun mysteries.” He continued, “I love it so much that I played through it all, got 100%, and then replayed it with built-in item randomness. GOTY.”
Hayes Madsen, writing for The Outerhaven Productions, calls it a fantastic game inspired by the classic. Zelda “Creating something that is fresh, challenging, and uniquely its own….feels an instant classic.” Tay Garcia of DualShockers called it “Gothic Zelda with a touch”. Castlevania and Dark spirits Which I never knew I needed.” Dyer Behan of the Gamer Social Club says that the Yacht Club game is “perfectly” an example and that Mina the Hollover is a “delightfully ambitious modern take on classic action-adventure games, combining carefully executed mechanics with a world that isn't afraid to cut back, making for an experience that constantly empowers the player and rewards curiosity at every turn.”
Samuel Claiborne, writing for IGN, said that the game “will sink into your mind and make a cozy little home there. I can't let it go.” Joshua Robertson, writing for TheGamer, called it a “nearly flawless game that combines the elements of nostalgia we know and love with a healthy dose of Yacht Club flair and expertise that makes it stand out as a truly retro-inspired masterpiece.” Mick Abrahamson, writing for But Why Tho, summed it up simply: “A blast to play.”
What is that weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
get started
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)
It remains to be seen how Mina the Hollover has been received by a wide, general audience, but it's clearly off to a strong start. Yacht Club Games clearly has something special here, and fans of retro games (and back) should take note.
- issued
-
May 29, 2026
- ESRB
-
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence
