Steam Next Fest Surprise: Shovel Knight Devs Drop Zelda-Inspired Gem

ByKhris Brayton

Steam Next Fest is a fantastic showcase by Valve through its Steam gaming platform. It is described as a week-long celebration of gaming where users have the opportunity to explore demos of upcoming games, watch developer livestreams, and interact with teams about the development of their upcoming releases. It’s a chance to discover new and innovative indie games and get a sneak peek at titles before their official release. One game that has a lot of people talking comes from the same developer that released retro-inspired Shovel Knight, and this new game offers even more nostalgic feelings than the last one.

Shovel Knight Devs Thrill Audience At Steam Next Fest

Mina the Hollower

So, what is the game that was so enticing to fans checking out Steam Next Fest? That would be Mina the Hollower, which also made a surprise appearance at Summer Game Fest. As I previously reported, Mina the Hollower is a clear homage to the classic catalog of Game Boy Color, specifically Castlevania and The Legend of Zelda.

The inspiration for the gameplay style of Mina the Hollower is clear; the game aims to modernize the classic Legend of Zelda and Castlevania games of the Game Boy Color and other retro consoles. By Yacht Club Games’ own description, the game aims to be a bona fide classic. The game is both fast-paced and action-driven, with smart and controlled gameplay. Fans of action-adventure should lean into the combat, which allows for creativity, strategy, and customization to balance party members and push through bosses in your own way.

What did this retro-throwback by Yacht Club Games bring to Steam Next Fest? Players were able to play a demo of the game, and it only furthered the excitement for the instant classic. As Games Radar explained:

Very clearly riffing of Link Awakening’s presentation, Mina the Hollower follows up with a story and setting that’s steeped in the grand, theatrical aesthetic of the Castlevania games. It’s a blend that might not work, especially within the faux-retro setup that Yacht Club established with Shovel Knight.

But it’s almost perfect here, such an authentic mashup of ideas from this era of gaming that I honestly wish I had an actual Game Boy to play it on, rather than stretching it over my entire PC screen. It’s an intensely vivid, genuine reincarnation, and while I never truly believed that Yacht Club would make anything else, I’m still shocked by just how effective a pastiche Mina the Hollower immediately proves to be.

Clearly, Steam players are fully buying into the hype, as Mina the Hollower is among the most played demos for Steam Next Fest. Speaking of Steam, here are the developer highlights featured on their official Steam page, which players on Steam Next Fest already have first-hand experience with.

  • Hauntingly authentic 8-bit visuals in the style of Game Boy Color, refined for the modern era.
  • Modern touches abound: detailed animation, widescreen visuals, and rock-solid controls!
  • Leap, dodge, and burrow through the ground to battle monsters or navigate the world.
  • Lash at foes with your trusty whip, Nightstar- or choose from an arsenal of weapons, each with a totally different move set.
  • Discover and utilize a reliquary’s worth of unusual Sidearms to gain the advantage in combat.
  • Collect and equip Trinkets to acquire a variety of exotic effects. Level Mina up to suit your unique playstyle.
  • Electrifying MSX-style soundtrack by chiptune virtuoso, Jake Kaufman.
  • Descend into the depths of madness with a bone-chilling, yet heartwarming tale inspired by Victorian Gothic horror.
  • Explore a huge, dark world brimming with secrets, challenging battles, and interconnected level design.

Final Thoughts

Steam Next Fest is an amazing opportunity for players to really dive into some new indie games and learn more about some potential upcoming hits or cult classics. Yacht Club Games has clearly established itself as a leader in the Indie retro field, and Mina the Follower may be the best one yet. While the demo is available now, the full version will be launched on Halloween, October 31, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and of course, PC. Bust out your best Game Boy nostalgia and get ready for an incredible adventure.

Khris is the Gaming Site Manager for Total Apex Media, and a contributor to multiple other pages. He gives insight across many genres, particularly Gaming, Entertainment, News, and Sports. He is an avid gamer and serves as a moderator for online gaming servers. He has previously written as a fan for sports blogs on SBNation, including Over The Monster and McCovey Chronicles, giving his proposals and opinions on the direction of the teams. He is also a contributor at FanSided's Surviving Tribal, where he considers himself a reality TV superfan, and at Stadium Rant, specialising in the MLB. In his spare time, Khris enjoys camping and hiking in nature, taking nature photography, playing board games and video games, and both playing and watching sports; he also considers himself an ace mini-golfer.

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