HoloCure - Save the Fans!

Pick a Hololive character, set the treadmill at a pace where you can still dodge, and let the fans come to you. HoloCure has enough going on to keep your eyes busy, but it doesn’t ask you to aim every attack with the same bouncing thumb you’re using to hold the controller.

Gameplay

The thing I like about HoloCure is that the action mostly takes care of itself, and you get to focus on where you’re moving while fans crowd in from all sides. Your character attacks automatically, and each level up gives you a choice of weapons or items, so there’s a nice little decision to make without having to stop and study a complicated menu. I think that’s a good balance for a workout game. You’re still making a build, but you’re not trying to read a paragraph while running.

The weapons and items can combine into stronger attacks, and I like that the upgrades give a run a shape instead of making every choice feel like another small number going up. Some combinations look ridiculous in exactly the way I want from a game about fighting armies of mind controlled fans. I’d be curious to see what build I end up with, though I can also picture myself picking the first option that sounds useful and then acting like it was a plan.

Stage Mode is the part I’d start with, since it gives you a clear goal and a boss to work toward. The regular enemies keep coming, and the screen can get crowded enough that you need to pay attention to your position, but the automatic attacks mean you’re not also trying to line up every hit. I think that makes it a much better exercise game than an action game where you’re constantly flicking the stick toward a target. You can keep moving and let the weapons do their part.

Endless Mode sounds fun if you want to see how long a build can hold together, but I’d probably save that for a workout where I’m happy to keep going until my character finally gets overwhelmed. The Holo House gives you other things to do between runs, including fishing and farming, and that’s a nice change of pace if you want more than another trip through a stage. I don’t know that I’d spend a whole workout there, though. I’m here to move around, and tending to a virtual farm is a little too close to standing still.

There’s a lot of character variety, which matters because choosing a Hololive Vtuber isn’t just a different outfit. Their weapons and abilities give you a different feel, and the in game gacha gives you something to work toward as you collect more characters. I can see that being a fun reason to come back, even if I’d rather earn the currency through runs than spend too long checking menus. The menus are manageable, but the fighting is what I’m here for.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

This is a game where you can mostly steer your character away from trouble while the attacks happen on their own, which is a pretty friendly arrangement when your hands are moving with the treadmill. Controller support makes sense here, and a thumbstick is all you really need for movement. I’d start on an easier stage or lower difficulty, because a screen full of fans and attacks can get hectic, and the belt doesn’t stop just because a boss is asking for more attention.

Dodging is still the part that takes focus. You need to move around enemies and avoid attacks, and a late turn could leave you boxed in, but it’s not the sort of game where one slightly imprecise input ruins a competitive match for someone else. You can pause, take a breath, and sort yourself out. I think I’d be more comfortable on a bike once the screen gets busy, but that’s about my coordination, not a requirement of the game.

The weapon choices are another small distraction, since a level up asks you to pick something while the action keeps going. I’d make the choices quickly and keep moving, rather than trying to work out the perfect build in the middle of a run. If I’m on a treadmill and the options start feeling like too much, I’d pick the upgrade that sounds most obvious and get back to dodging. It’s not a strategy game, and I don’t need to turn it into one.

Holo House is where I’d slow down or stop moving, since fishing and farming aren’t doing much for the workout itself. That’s easy enough to skip until later, and the stage runs are the reason I’d keep the game open during exercise. A bike and treadmill both seem workable, though I’d keep the pace comfortable enough that weaving through a crowd doesn’t become an extra job.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Computer Requirements

The listed requirements are very light, so I wouldn’t expect this to need a dedicated gaming computer. I’d check that your system can run Windows 10 and a 64 bit program, then give it a try on an older or modest machine.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

HoloCure is an easy recommendation for you if you want a colorful action game that keeps you moving without demanding constant aiming. Skip the side activities during your workout, start with an easier stage, and see which character’s attacks you enjoy.

Overall Score: 3 out of 3