Yacht Club Games, the folks behind the smash-hit Shovel Knight, are facing a pivotal moment. Their upcoming game, Mina the Hollower, isn't just another release; it's potentially a make-or-break situation for the studio.

I've personally been following Mina the Hollower since its initial announcement. Unlike their previous work, this game ventures into new territory, with no connection to the Shovel Knight universe. You play as Mina, an adorable but spirited mouse, on a quest to save a cursed island.

The game's design takes cues from classic top-down adventures like The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, but with a distinct gothic, Castlevania-esque vibe. Yacht Club Games is really betting on this one. After the success of Shovel Knight, the studio decided to split into two teams. One team started working on a 3D Shovel Knight game, while the other began working on Mina the Hollower.

However, the pandemic threw a wrench into their plans. The two-team structure didn't pan out as expected, leading to layoffs and a refocusing of the studio's efforts solely on Mina the Hollower. Even the project's leadership shifted, with Sean Velasco, the studio founder, stepping in as director.

Velasco has openly acknowledged the high stakes. He said that if Mina the Hollower sells 500,000 copies, they would be golden, and even 200,000 sales would be really great. However, 100,000 copies wouldn't be good. The studio would need a quick cash injection if Mina the Hollower doesn't perform well.

To ensure their survival, Yacht Club Games is transitioning to a fully remote work environment. They're also planning to focus on one project at a time, aiming for more frequent releases.

Originally slated for an October release, Mina the Hollower was delayed to allow for further polishing and balancing. I actually got to play a demo of Mina the Hollower on Switch, and it was great. The gameplay was fun, the music was catchy, and I am looking forward to the full release.