Hololive Dreams, a new rhythm game based on the popular VTuber agency hololive, aims to capture a wider audience by integrating role-playing game mechanics into its core gameplay. The game, released on July 23, layers RPG progression over a rhythm game foundation, a deliberate choice by the development team to increase the game's scale and accessibility.
Mr. O, the producer of Hololive Dreams, explained that the goal was to create a game with a larger scope than typical rhythm titles. "If someone is not interested in the rhythm aspect of a mobile game, for example, even if they like the IP, it's not very engaging to play," he stated. "That is why [with] this game we want to excite people to a whole new level with that extra scale."
The game is set on a virtual island where players develop a theme park and undertake quests to expand their territory. Music is integral to this progression, with rhythm game segments designed to drive both forward momentum and park development. "So it gives more purpose to the rhythm game aspect [with] objectives you have to clear in the larger game," the development team noted. This integration is intended to motivate players who may not be primarily drawn to rhythm games.
Beyond its rhythm mechanics, Hololive Dreams features several distinct mini-games. These include a rope skipping game, a puzzle game involving matching ingredients, an obstacle course playable with up to 16 players, and a card game described as a hybrid of poker and Mahjongg. "We have four mini games that are not rhythm games [of] different genres," Mr. O said.
With over 150 songs, including original hololive tracks and covers, the game seeks to stand out in Japan's competitive rhythm game market. Mr. O elaborated on the song count, explaining that 54 participating hololive talents would each ideally have two songs, contributing 108 tracks, with ensemble songs further increasing the total to 150. The first song for each talent is intended to be an original, representing them as artists, while the second may be a cover, adding to the rhythm game appeal.
The selection of cover songs was guided by a Japanese audience perspective, with input from the talents themselves. The development team emphasized an equitable distribution of the spotlight, with every talent featured as a protagonist and efforts made to ensure a balanced representation of songs and characters. "Every talent in this game is a protagonist. There's no playing favorites," Mr. O stated.
Hololive Dreams will feature regular in-game events, with a cadence of approximately three events per month. While available on PC, these events are primarily geared towards mobile players. The game includes character nurturing elements, where longer playtime with a talent leads to character growth. This growth impacts scores in live concerts within the game, forming the basis for competitive events.
Players can anticipate an evolving experience, with new areas planned for post-launch updates. The initial release includes Harmony Garden and Mega Sphere, with two additional areas to be added later. While the first area features all 54 talents, subsequent areas will focus on a smaller group of about 10 talents each, ensuring each performer eventually receives focused attention.
Hololive Dreams is available on iOS, Android, and PC via Steam.