While Forza Horizon series has always been great, to see an Xbox published video game in FH6 taking the title as the highest rated game of the year on OpenCritic just a week or so ago is no doubt surprising to some, but now that has been passed. A brand new edition has surpassed the likes of 007 First lightMewgenics, Pokemon Pokopia, Resident Evil Requiemand Forza Horizon 6and that game is Mine the Hollower.
Over at OpenCritic, reviews for Mine the Hollower has just gone live ahead of its May 28th release date. OpenCritic lists Forza Horizon 6 with 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 92 Top Critic Average.
Forza Horizon 6 review: The winning streak continues
Forza Horizon 6 continues the franchise's winning streak, with Playground Games delivering another excellent open-world racing game adventure.
My the Hollower Review Roundup
For those who don't know, Mine the Hollower is the latest game from Yacht Club Games of Shovel Knight fame. In it, players take on the titular Hollower in an action-adventure game featuring 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 encounter bizarre characters. It focuses on tight controls, a tight story inspired by Victorian Gothic horror, and face-challenging combat within an interconnected level design. And where it shines, it really shines, it's clear.
Happy to report that Mina the Hollower is a masterpiece – a rolling mix of 2D Zelda, Castlevania and Bloodborne with lots of clever mechanics and delightful secrets. I love it so much I played through 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
Jason Schreier of Bloomberg calls it a “masterpiece” that is a mix of 2D Zelda game, Castlevaniaand Blood borne “with lots of clever mechanics and delightful secrets.” He continued, “I love it so much I played through everything, got 100% and then replayed it with the built-in item randomizer. GOTY”
Hayes Madsen, writing for The Outerhaven Productions, calls it a brilliant game inspired by the classic Zelda “while building something that feels fresh, challenging and uniquely its own…instant classic.” Tay Garcia of DualShockers called it the “gothic Zelda with elements of Castlevania and Dark souls which I never knew I needed.” Daire Behan of Gamer Social Club says that it is an example of Yacht Club Games “in full form” and that Mine the Hollower is a “joyously ambitious modern take on classic action-adventure games, blending carefully crafted mechanics with a world that's not afraid to bite back, creating an experience that constantly empowers the player and rewards curiosity at every turn.”
Samuel Claiborn, writing for IGN, said that the game “will burrow into your brain and set up a cozy little house there. I couldn't put it down.” Joshua Robertson, writing for TheGamer, called it a “nearly flawless game that combines elements of nostalgic classics we know and love with a healthy dose of Yacht Club's style and expertise to make it something that truly stands out as a retro-inspired masterpiece.” Mick Abrahamson, writing for But Why Tho, summed it up simply: “A blast to play.”
What kind of weapon is that?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
It remains to be seen how Mine the Hollower is being received by the wider, 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 beyond) should pay attention.
- Released
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May 29, 2026
- ESRB
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All 10+ / Fantasy Violence
