Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 51 minutes ago
Mina the Hollower is critically acclaimed and currently sits as my Game of the Year. But, something's off with discourse online. I expected a lot more videos analyzing story and mechanics like Elden Ring and Hollow Knight, two series that I feel share a lot of common DNA with Mina. But, it's just not happening. Digging in to comments on forums and otherwise, it seems like a bunch of folks are bouncing off the title, too. Perhaps there's something about the game design, that's pushing players off the game? Join me in the second ever Particular Design-Dive, as we analytically dissect the possible reasons for this. Top suspect: The Open World
While the open world takes a majority of the analysis in this episode, we also discuss trinkets, sidearms, and the tutorial area, Loner's Landing. We'll even sprinkle in some Elden Ring for comparison, too.
Design-Dive is a podcast-type video aiming to dissect game design while reaching some solid conclusions, so you can walk away having learned something. This is the second one ever, so feel free to provide feedback to shape the podcast going forward!
This video can be enjoyed with headphones only. Set the language to English (US) to remove all background game audio.
Spoilers have been thoroughly limited to what is strictly necessary for the discussion, and only from the first half of the game. The route leading up to Queensbury Crypt is referenced heavily, while Nox's Bayou, Septemburg, and Bone Beach are only occasionally mentioned when points are relevant.
0:00 - Should Mina Be More Popular?
3:09 - The Burrow Mechanic
4:59 - A Sinking Feeling in Loner's Landing
10:33 - Where's That One Trinket?
15:04 - The Bridge Blockade
18:04 - A Clean Rhene Hint?
21:32 - How Elden Ring Handles It
23:12 - Mourner's Mile
25:52 - Bone Beach, Anyone?
27:17 - I Don't Like the Shortcuts
28:22 - The Main Diagnosis
31:01 - Counterpoint
33:16 - Conclusion
35:20 - Modifiers
36:58 - What Do You Think?
#minathehollower #openworld #designdive
Links!
Discord: discord.gg/kZrGsUM
Twitter: twitter.com/ParticularMushy
Particular Mushroom (Main Channel): youtube.com/ParticularMushroom
Mina the Hollower is critically acclaimed and currently sits as my Game of the Year. But, something's off with discourse online. I expected a lot more videos analyzing story and mechanics like Elden Ring and Hollow Knight, two series that I feel share a lot of common DNA with Mina. But, it's just not happening. Digging in to comments on forums and otherwise, it seems like a bunch of folks are bouncing off the title, too. Perhaps there's something about the game design, that's pushing players off the game? Join me in the second ever Particular Design-Dive, as we analytically dissect the possible reasons for this. Top suspect: The Open World
While the open world takes a majority of the analysis in this episode, we also discuss trinkets, sidearms, and the tutorial area, Loner's Landing. We'll even sprinkle in some Elden Ring for comparison, too.
Design-Dive is a podcast-type video aiming to dissect game design while reaching some solid conclusions, so you can walk away having learned something. This is the second one ever, so feel free to provide feedback to shape the podcast going forward!
This video can be enjoyed with headphones only. Set the language to English (US) to remove all background game audio.
Spoilers have been thoroughly limited to what is strictly necessary for the discussion, and only from the first half of the game. The route leading up to Queensbury Crypt is referenced heavily, while Nox's Bayou, Septemburg, and Bone Beach are only occasionally mentioned when points are relevant.
0:00 - Should Mina Be More Popular?
3:09 - The Burrow Mechanic
4:59 - A Sinking Feeling in Loner's Landing
10:33 - Where's That One Trinket?
15:04 - The Bridge Blockade
18:04 - A Clean Rhene Hint?
21:32 - How Elden Ring Handles It
23:12 - Mourner's Mile
25:52 - Bone Beach, Anyone?
27:17 - I Don't Like the Shortcuts
28:22 - The Main Diagnosis
31:01 - Counterpoint
33:16 - Conclusion
35:20 - Modifiers
36:58 - What Do You Think?
#minathehollower #openworld #designdive
Links!
Discord: discord.gg/kZrGsUM
Twitter: twitter.com/ParticularMushy
Particular Mushroom (Main Channel): youtube.com/ParticularMushroom
