HoloCure: Save the Fans stands out as one of the top-rated roguelikes on Steam, maintaining its position as one of the top two game releases throughout 2023, as reported by SteamDB.
Lead developer and animator Kay Yu is currently crafting a second game, reminiscent of a 2D co-op brawler inspired by River City Girls. Interestingly, River City Girls is among the numerous games on which he previously contributed as a key animator. Kay Yu’s portfolio also includes credits on projects like Mushoku Tensei, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War, and Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp.
In a tweet sharing the English trailer, Kay Yu humorously writes: “Oops, I made a second game.” Separately, he stated: “For the past year, y’all have been CUREing, but now it’s time to BREAK.“
The game, titled “Holo X Break,” is a side-scrolling beat-em-up featuring various Hololive Vtubers from the 5th and 6th generations. The plot follows NePoLaBo stars Momosuzu Nene, Omaru Polka, Shishiro Botan, and Yukihana Lamy as they embark on a mission to rescue the company’s CEO from the Secret Society HoloX.
Holo X Break is set to launch sometime in March 2024, although the platforms have yet to be confirmed. Given its predecessor, HoloCure, it’s probable that it will follow suit and be exclusive to PC.
Another question arises regarding whether this game will be included in the Holo Indie program. This program, unveiled on November 15th, 2023, aims to collaborate with indie developers to promote and distribute fan-made games leveraging the Hololive IP for commercial sale, similar to what we’ve seen with Holo Parade.
This doesn’t seem to be the case following a Twitter exchange, a fan questioned whether Kay Yu intended to maintain HoloCure’s free price point, calling it “just stupid” for a game of such quality. Kay Yu’s response, “about that…” has once again left fans eager to find ways to show their support.
HoloCure distinguished itself in the competitive market of games within the Vampire Survivors genre by offering a uniquely polished experience despite ongoing development. Initially launched on Itch.io, the free-to-play auto shooter gained widespread attention upon its release on Steam in August 2023.
The game’s high quality pixel artwork combined with addictive gameplay elements, and extensive roster of unlockable Hololive characters cater to a wide range of tastes and playstyles.
Did I mention that the game is completely free? Kay Yu firmly rejected any notion of profiteering from HoloCure, expressing a strong desire for as many people as possible to simply enjoy his game.
The recent 0.6 update introduced the “Holo House” mode, enabling players to unwind and enjoy various minigames like farming, fishing, and cooking. They can also freely interact with various characters as they come and go within the Holo House.
However, despite the extended wait of over six months since the latest update, Kay Yu confirmed that the 0.7 update for HoloCure is still on its way. He mentioned that they wanted to offer fans a “quick appetizer,” which sheds light on the reason for the delay considering the announcement of Holo X Break.
Kay Yu has been fully dedicated to the Holo X Break beat-em-up. He stands out in the industry as one of the few individuals who firmly adhere to their principles. Despite the undeniable value of HoloCure: Save The Fans!, Kay Yu chooses to stand by his principles of providing free fangames that everyone can enjoy free of charge.
