Pixels, heroes and dreams

The gaming world is entering a fresh phase of invention, where nostalgia, imagination, and technical craft converge. Three titles unveiled or updated this month - 'Mina the Hollower', 'Marvel Rivals', and 'Starsand Island' - capture how developers are revisiting familiar genres while pushing them into new emotional and aesthetic territories.

At the centre of this creative surge is Yacht Club Games, the studio celebrated for Shovel Knight, now steering into new terrain with 'Mina the Hollower'. The game marks a decisive step away from the side-scrolling platformers that defined the studio's identity.

"We wanted to do a top-down game that had different gameplay," explained co-founder Sean Velasco in a recent interview with Knowledge. "Many of us were thinking, 'If only we could be doing something a little bit different.' We wanted to go more fully into the RPG space and make something that had a lot more combat."

The visual inspiration for 'Mina the Hollower' springs from the Game Boy era - particularly 'Link's Awakening' and the 'Zelda Oracle' series - yet the game's mechanics borrow from darker action titles such as 'Castlevania' and 'Bloodborne'.

While Yacht Club explores old-school adventure from a fresh angle, another major studio is expanding a superhero universe with a dose of the undead. 'Marvel Rivals', developed by NetEase, is introducing its first player-versus-environment (PVE) mode this month - a zombie-themed survival experience inspired by 'Marvel's Zombies', the Disney+ mini-series.

Launching on October 23, the update brings a cooperative mode where teams of heroes confront endless waves of zombie enemies across evolving stages. The roster features Thor, Blade, Magik, Jeff, and The Punisher, each equipped with abilities designed for large-scale combat.

Thor strikes with lightning in his "Awakened" form, Blade wields Moon Blades for close-range attacks, Magik sustains her Darkchild transformation indefinitely, and Jeff charges through hordes with reckless power.

Players will even encounter a zombified Namor, with NetEase hinting at other undead versions of familiar Marvel faces appearing later in the event. The developer has described the mode as a "survival horde" experience, combining fast-paced team combat with cinematic hero abilities.

The Halloween-timed update is also 'Marvel Rivals' first significant move toward narrative-driven cooperative play, deepening its universe beyond competitive matches. The limited-time event offers themed rewards and new challenges while preserving the game's signature comic-book energy.

Since its release, the title has drawn praise for its hero-based gameplay and frequent seasonal updates, and this zombie expansion strengthens its momentum as one of NetEase's most ambitious multiplayer projects.

Meanwhile, in a quieter corner of gaming, Japanese indie developer Seed Lab has captured attention with 'Starsand Island', a life simulation RPG inspired by 'Stardew Valley' but designed around a freer sense of exploration and serenity.

One of the most talked-about titles of Steam Next Fest, it combines farming, fishing, and questing within a lush island world that encourages relaxation over rigid progression. Seed Lab described its concept as a "'do-what-I-want' country life" experience - a philosophy that sets it apart from the goal-driven structure of many Western farming sims.

The studio raised over $300,000 earlier this year through Kickstarter and has seen a surge of enthusiasm since releasing its demo. With over 600 reviews and an 87% positive rating on Steam, early players have praised the title's charm and atmosphere.

Across these three projects - the Gothic precision of 'Mina the Hollower', the cinematic chaos of 'Marvel Rivals: Zombies', and the tranquil freedom of 'Starsand Island' - one common thread emerges: the desire to reimagine familiar genres for a modern audience.

Whether burrowing through pixelated darkness, battling the undead, or tending to digital fields beneath painted skies, players are being invited to rediscover why they play - to explore, to connect, and to dream.