A new gameplay preview for Mina the Hollower, the next game from Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games, reveals the title as a blend of retro Legend of Zelda gameplay with soulslike elements. The indie developer is well-known for cultivating the Shovel Knight franchise, which consists of the original game and two recently-released spin-off adventures. The next Yacht Club game Mina the Hollower is set to enter a whole new genre, however, given the game's surprising emphasis on soulslike RPG mechanics.

Yacht Club Games' beloved indie side-scroller Shovel Knight sees its titular protagonist hop across levels using his trusty shovel. This original title set the stage, and now the Shovel Knight franchise has moved in a few different directions with Yacht Club's masterful guidance. Last year's unique dungeon crawling puzzle game Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, for example, sees players engage in competitive Tetris with the franchise's colorful cast of characters. This unique entry in the series was developed as a collaboration between Yacht Club and fellow indie developer Vine. A collaboration with developer Nitrome led to the recent release of Shovel Knight Dig, meanwhile, which sees the heroic gardener delve underground for a roguelike adventure.

Related: Shovel Knight Dig Review: An Attractive But Imprecise Action Roguelite

A new gameplay preview for Mina the Hollower, posted to YouTube by IGN, shows off the indie adventure's unique blend of Legend of Zelda gameplay and soulslike elements. The pixilated graphics and top-down perspective certainly call to mind retro Zelda titles, particularly the original game and A Link to the Past. However, this old-school combat and exploration is complemented by several mechanics made famous by Dark Souls and other FromSoftware soulslikes. Attacking enemies charges up the player's health bar which can then be replenished using a flask, which effectively combines the health regeneration mechanics from Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Enemies that kill the player also steal Mina's Sparks, which can be retrieved by returning to and defeating that foe.

Mina the Hollower Takes Influence From Zelda & FromSoftware

While the new Yacht Club Games title may borrow elements from The Legend of Zelda and the soulslike genre, Mina the Hollower looks to be a truly unique experience. One key mechanic is Mina's burrowing ability, which lets her travel underground for a brief time before leaping back to the surface. Burrowing lets the player completely avoid damage, which can facilitate a defensive playstyle for those unwilling to charge into battle. However, the indie title's health regeneration system makes combat the only way to heal Mina if she takes some damage.

Combining familiar elements and brand-new mechanics, Mina the Hollower looks like an amazing throwback to old-school adventures like The Legend of Zelda. Like Shovel Knight before it, the game promises to deliver an innovative indie experience that introduces players to a fun new world. By injecting some soulslike influence into the Legend of Zelda combat and exploration, Mina the Hollower looks like a worthy follow-up to Yacht Club Games' Shovel Knight.

Source: IGN/YouTube