Key Terms
- Hollower - Mina's title, those who can burrow underground
- Bones - Primary currency and XP, lost on death
- Plasma - Yellow bar that converts to health when attacking
- Underlab - Save point and upgrade hub
- Trinket - Equippable accessory with passive bonuses
B
Bones
The primary currency and experience points in Mina the Hollower. Bones are earned by defeating enemies and can be spent at Underlabs for permanent stat upgrades or used to purchase items from shops. Bones are lost upon death unless protected by a Spark, creating a risk-reward progression system similar to Souls games.
Bone Beach
One of the 7 areas of Tenebrous Isle. Bone Beach is a mining town built inside a giant creature's carcass, featuring conveyor belt traversal mechanics and an industrial-meets-organic aesthetic.
Blaststrike Maul
A heavy hammer weapon available from the start. The Blaststrike Maul trades speed for raw power and grants invincibility frames during charged attacks, making it valuable for tanking through enemy attacks while delivering devastating blows.
Burrow
Mina's signature ability that lets her travel underground. The burrow serves multiple functions: dodging attacks with invincibility frames, traversing beneath obstacles, discovering hidden secrets, and launching pop-up aerial attacks. The burrow replaces traditional dodge rolls found in other action games.
Battery Buster
An unlockable ranged blaster weapon that allows Mina to engage enemies from a distance. The Charge Shot upgrade enables a powerful ranged attack with increased damage.
H
Hollower
A title given to those who possess the ability to travel beneath the surface of Tenebrous Isle. Mina is a Hollower, which is central to the game's mechanics and lore. Hollowers can navigate underground passages, dodge attacks, and launch pop-up strikes.
Hollower's Shield
An unlockable weapon that provides defensive capabilities alongside offensive options. The shield can be used to parry incoming attacks, creating openings for counter-attacks. A successful parry stuns the enemy and enables a devastating riposte.
J
Joules
The resource consumed by Sidearms when using their special abilities. Joules must be managed carefully, as Sidearms are lost on death. Joule Jars can be found throughout the world to replenish this resource.
K
Keygear
Universal keys used to unlock doors and gates throughout Tenebrous Isle. Keygears open paths to new areas and secret rooms. They are found by exploring thoroughly and breaking objects throughout the world.
Kears
A special collectible currency that unlocks various things throughout the game. Kears can be purchased from the Kear Shop in Ossex and are described as making "the world go round."
P
Plasma
The unique healing system of Mina the Hollower. Mina has a yellow Plasma bar that fills by attacking enemies. Once full, it converts into red health (actual HP recovery). This system rewards aggressive play - the more you attack, the more you heal. Inspired by DOOM 2016's glory kill mechanic.
Pop-up
The attack performed when emerging from a burrow. The pop-up launches Mina into the air with an aerial attack that deals bonus damage. Positioning directly beneath enemies before surfacing maximizes the effectiveness of pop-up strikes.
S
Spark Generator
The stolen artifacts that Mina must recover throughout her adventure on Tenebrous Isle. The spark generators are central to the game's story, with various antagonists controlling different generators across the island's regions.
Sparks
Extra lives that prevent Bone loss upon death. When Mina dies with a Spark active, she revives without losing her accumulated Bones. Sparks are invaluable for learning difficult boss encounters risk-free through trial-and-error.
Sidearm
Sub-weapons that consume Joules and provide additional tactical options. Sidearms are found by breaking objects throughout the world and are lost on death. Examples include Gyro Dagger (boomerang), Volt Hatchet (thrown axe), and Iron Steed (bicycle with lance).
Septemburg
One of the 7 areas of Tenebrous Isle. Septemburg captures the feeling of an endless Halloween night with pumpkins, scarecrows, hedge mazes, and dynamic lightning strikes that may reveal hidden paths.
T
Tenebrous Isle
The gothic, interconnected game world where Mina the Hollower takes place. It is a dark island divided into 7 distinct areas with unique themes. The island's lore involves stolen spark generators that Mina must recover, with various antagonists controlling different regions.
Trinket
Equippable accessories that provide passive bonuses. You can equip up to 5 Trinkets simultaneously for build customization. Examples include Ferrying Wisp (floating), Prototype Spark (revive on death), Attack Multiplier (bonus damage), and Health Boost (increased HP).
U
Underlab
Save points and upgrade hubs scattered throughout Tenebrous Isle. Resting at an Underlab saves progress and lets you spend Bones on permanent stat upgrades. However, resting also respawns all enemies in the world, requiring strategic timing.