Holocure — the free Vampire Survivors rival with a 99% Steam rating is getting a big, delayed update

Why this update actually matters

This caught my attention because Holocure isn’t just another Vampire Survivors copy – it’s the one that beat Poncle’s near-perfect 98% average, sitting at an almost-unbelievable 99% on Steam across nearly 40,000 ratings. For a free, fan-made autobattler to earn that kind of consensus says the fundamentals are solid: a fun loop, tight feel, and relentless community love. So when lead dev Kay Yu says Update 0.8 will be “memorable” and is taking longer than expected, that’s worth paying attention to.

• Holocure boasts a near-perfect 99% user rating on Steam and is free to play – no excuses to not try it.
• Update 0.8 is focused on improving the main loop with new mechanics, content types, an achievement rework, and balance changes.
• The delay comes from limited free time: Kay Yu works full-time as an animator and has expanded the team, so development is slower but more deliberate.
• No character nerfs are planned – expect tweaks and additions rather than gutting favorites.

What the delay actually means

Kay Yu’s explanation is refreshingly blunt: development is a hobby squeezed between an increasingly busy career in the anime industry and normal life. That’s not a corporate PR line — it’s the reality of many indie hits that start as passion projects. When the creator says, “Update 0.8 is taking much longer than I planned” it signals two things: ambition and caution. Ambition because the scope has grown — KayAnimate added “a significant number of new helpers for some big features” — and caution because the team refuses to rush what they want to be a standout update.

Breaking down Update 0.8 — what to expect

The concrete promises are compact but meaningful. Kay says the focus is shifting back to the main game — unlike 0.7, which prioritized side content — and will include “a number of new mechanics, new types of content, and some other changes to the main game overall.” That kind of language points to changes that could affect the core loop: new enemy behaviors, stage modifiers, or persistent systems that deepen runs instead of simply stacking novelty.

An “achievement rework” matters more than it sounds. Achievements can gate content, encourage exploration of odd builds, or become long-term goals that keep a roguelite alive in a player’s rotation. A rework could remove grindy checkpoints, rebalance rewards, or even tie achievements into newer meta-systems. And “a lot of balance updates” combined with “no plans of nerfing any character” suggests the team will tune enemy waves, item interactions, and possibly add counters rather than nerf beloved characters into obscurity.

Why I’m willing to wait (and what could go wrong)

Holocure being free removes a major friction point — you can try it now and get invested without paying. Kay’s background as an animator in the anime industry also helps explain why Holocure’s presentation and character work landed so well with players; the game feels lovingly made. Their commitment to not rush and to “address a bunch of pretty old issues” is promising for long-term health.

That said, bigger teams and bigger features bring risks: scope creep, longer QA cycles, and the familiar indie trap of trying to do too much at once. The fact the team has intentionally resisted rushing is a good sign, but gamers should expect a slower cadence. Kay’s note about pruning other industry commitments in 2026 is encouraging — if true, it could mean a steadier update rhythm next year.

Implications for players and the genre

Holocure’s success is also a marker for the autobattler/wave-survival trend: you can win by refining the loop and leaning into personality. While many clones chase fidelity to Vampire Survivors, Holocure doubled down on charm, character-driven design, and community goodwill. Update 0.8 aiming to improve the main game signals a maturation — less gimmicks, more longevity.

TL;DR

Holocure is one of the rare fan-made hits that deserves its nearly perfect Steam score. Update 0.8 is taking longer because the devs are adding bigger features and juggling real-life jobs, but the goal is a meaningful overhaul focused on the main game, achievements, and balance — with no character nerfs. It’s a patient move that could keep one of the best Vampire Survivors rivals fresh for a long time.