HoloCure, the indie game based on poncle's Vampire Survivors and Cover Corporation's massively popular Hololive Production, is nearing its Steam release! Find out when you can play the game and where to get it here.
HoloCure Release Date and Time
HoloCure: Save the Fans! is Out Now!
HoloCure released on August 17, 2023. You can head to the Steam page and download it right away.
Although the page doesn't state so, the game will technically be on Early Access since the Steam release will be version 0.6.
Everything We Know About HoloCure
HoloCure Story Plot
The world is in the midst of a virtual idol boom. People worldwide are becoming engrossed in watching the new trends of influencers. These "Vtubers" grew to be loved by many.
But one day, an evil force emerged, taking advantage of the fans and their love. It brainwashed them, turning these otherwise innocent admirers into mindless pawns who act only based on their desires. With nobody else to save these unfortunate fans, it’s up to the Vtubers to help them return to their senses.
HoloCure Gameplay
HoloCure plays like an almost 1:1 copy of Vampire Survivors. Players will control a character, one of the Vtubers from Hololive, that roams the map to "save their fans." Each of them have unique attacks and abilities that shape their gameplay. These can be upgraded by obtaining loot from enemies. Besides their distinct skill sets, there are also common items and weapons that everybody can use.
As the game progresses, stronger and more aggressive enemies will start spawning. A player must match the ramping difficulty by obtaining more upgrades. This, in turn, will allow them to last longer in the game and fight against even deadlier foes.
Players can use the "collab" system to deal with persistently stronger enemies. This allows two max-level weapons to be combined, substantially boosting their effectiveness and adding additional effects to their attacks. More importantly, it also frees up a weapon slot, allowing the player to take another weapon in its place.
HoloCure - What’s the Buzz!?
HoloCure Search Trends
Holocure: Save the Fans! seems to be well-received among its fans, despite having an independent developer and limited marketing. On its launch day, it has quickly placed itself as the 17th most played game on Steam. The rapid rise in popularity of VTuber culture and the dedicated communities it has spawned likely plays a significant role in sustaining interest in Holocure.
For a fanmade project that is literally being made from scratch by an independent developer, the game is packed to the brim with content. The game has features that are commonly found in the Vampire-Survival roguelike genre but also integrates mechanics such as gacha, cooking, farming, among others. And the fans absolutely love it.
Kay Yu has created short fan animations that were used by Hololive talents themselves for their stream intro and ending sequences. Outside of the Hololive community, he has also worked as key animator and lead animator on various notable anime and games, including Sword Art Online, Castlevania, Bleach, and Boruto.
HoloCure’s Popularity Compared to Other Games
We took three other games that are coming out in the same month as HoloCure: Save the Fans!, namely, Armored Core VI, Atlas Fallen and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, and compared their search interest on Google Trends to find out which of the four games is the most anticipated by the gaming community.
- Blue = HoloCure
- Red = Armored Core VI
- Yellow = Atlas Fallen
- Green = Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
HoloCure
HoloCure: Save the Fans! ranks first in this comparison. Despite being a niche game from an even more niche game sub-genre, competing with a modern gaming world of AAA titles, HoloCure has done quite remarkably well. It has gathered over 100,000 downloads since its initial release in June, and earned a top-rated spot on the gaming platform Itch.io. The game's success appears to be fueled by the strong engagement of the VTuber community, who not only enjoy playing the game themselves but also spread the word through streaming and social media. The incorporation of roguelike gameplay and the novelty of playing as different beloved VTuber characters also likely contributes to its appeal. There's no doubt that, with a successful Steam release like this, it will continue to trend strongly for a while.
Armored Core VI
Armored Core VI ranks second in this comparison. Armored Core games are known for traditionally catering to a specific audience of mecha enthusiasts. But despite its obscurity, the third-person mech shooter seems to have become increasingly acknowledged as its developer, FromSoftware, gained popularity among western players after the release of Dark Souls, and more recently, Elden Ring. It is likely that this popularity has introduced FromSoftware’s name to a broader audience, which can result in increased curiosity and interest in the revival of Armored Core.
Atlas Fallen
Atlas Fallen ranks third in this comparison. This could be due to several factors, including its recent release and the availability of content like reviews and gameplay information. The current interest and search ranking could be a result of the game having already a lukewarm reception, losing a lot of the excitement and steam it had built up leading up to its release.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk ranks last in this comparison. Just like HoloCure, the game is a passion project, but developed by an up-and-coming gaming studio, Team Reptile. It has been deemed as the spiritual successor to the cult classic Jet Set Radio, and likely draws interest from fans of the cult classic who are looking for a similar experience. But within its niche community, there has been a lot of buzz and excitement, demonstrating that the game resonates with players who are looking for exactly the kind of experience it offers.
HoloCure Fan Reactions
One user expresses how they can't seem to contain their excitement over HoloCure.
Another user highly recommends playing HoloCure for those who haven't yet and shares how they've beaten the new stages and have unlocked every beloved character.
This user shares how they were initially excited to play but found a difficult time getting the game to work, putting a damper on things for them.
A more fortunate player shares how they've played too much HoloCure for the day and seems to have had loads of fun trying out the new fishing mechanic in the game.
HoloCure fun play it. Send tweet.
HoloCure Hype Verdict
In HoloCure: Save the Fans!, players assume the role of Hololive VTubers, who are facing off against hordes of brainwashed fans. The game retains roguelike elements like power-ups, permadeath, and dungeon crawling, all while incorporating the distinct personalities and abilities of the VTubers. This combination provides a unique and engaging gameplay experience, especially for fans of both the roguelike genre and VTubers. Players are kept engaged with ongoing updates and addition of new Vtuber characters. Several fans have stated that even without being intimately familiar with Hololive and its characters, the game provides compelling gameplay.
Regardless of the hype, HoloCure seems to be a fun game made with genuine passion and love, capturing fans with a special charm that really resonates. It doesn’t hurt that the game is available at a price you really can’t beat either (it’s free!). Even though the game might not be trending among the more general player base, it's clear that it holds a special place within its own community and is worth paying attention to for those who are drawn to roguelikes or just looking for a different gaming experience.
HoloCure Trailer
Newest Trailer
The latest trailer for HoloCure features the new additions to the game’s roster, the Vtubers from Hololive Indonesia. Eager fans can play as their favorites from different regions, such as Hoshinova Moona, Kaela Kovalskia, Kureiji Ollie, and more!
It also shows us a sneak peek of the all-new Holo House feature. Players needing some relaxation after hours of the grueling grind can take on farming, fishing, cooking, and even house decorating. There will also be character interactions between the HoloCures, which should provide players utterly new to the fandom with an idea of the kinds of personalities there are behind their characters.
HoloCure Product Information
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| Title | HOLOCURE |
|---|---|
| Release Date | August 17, 2023 |
| Developer | KayAnimate |
| Publisher | KayAnimate |
| Supported Platforms | PC |
| Genre | Action |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | N/A |
| Official Website | HoloCure Website |
