9/10
This is a game that’s not just a hidden gem—it’s the hidden gem among hidden gems this year.
To put it simply, it doesn’t really matter what it’s referencing or what nostalgic notes it’s hitting. The game is rock solid and polished to a shine.
It beautifully combines Zelda-style gameplay with Metroidvania mechanics. And that yoyo? It’s used in every way you can imagine. What’s more impressive is that these mechanics aren’t just made for one specific purpose—you use them for combat, traversal, and puzzle-solving alike. That kind of multi-layered design brings a uniquely satisfying feeling.
I had recently played the demo for Mina the Hollower and was really hyped. Then I stumbled upon Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, and I can confidently say: whatever I was dreaming the demo might become—this game already is.