In a production several years in the making, digital worlds collide as virtual YouTube stars are thrust into a video game setting in Besto Games' new release Idol Showdown. The game is a unique, fan-made fighting game that features a host of virtual streaming stars from VTuber agency Cover Corporation, enabling players to take control of their favorite personalities in a smash-mouth-style experience.
The game features a cast of 8 different characters from the hololive Production roster, with additional names set to be released in the coming months. Given the infancy of the game, which was released on May 6, 2023, players should become acquainted with which characters work best for newcomers .
8 Sora
Unsurprisingly, the first idol to be employed under the hololive Production name makes an appearance in their debut game. And she does so with a character that requires a pretty advanced understanding of the mechanics of Idol Showdown to use her effectively. Tokino Sora is an avid fan of horror games, but is best known for attracting a wealth of followers with her music and singing videos.
Sora's persona is described as a Virtuous Pure Idol, whose strength lies in offense at the expense of speed, damage, and a significant defensive strategy. Because of this all-or-nothing approach to fighting, new players may struggle to deal with offensive pressure from their opponents to maintain a competitive edge over their adversaries.
7 Suisei
Another virtual streaming sensation from the "Generation 0" of hololive's incredible cast of talent, Hoshimachi Suisei and her signature blue hair are a fan favorite among VTuber aficionados. She is considered to be one of the more pragmatic virtual singers; however, there is much speculation that her soft exterior hides a more sinister interior, which may explain her aggressive fighting style.
Suisei's fighting persona is described as a Stellar Stylish Idol, and she holds the best offensive rating in the game. While this is a significant advantage over her opponents, her high speed rating does not quite make up for her low damage and defensive ratings. For players learning the ropes of Idol Showdown, it would be best to master avoiding damage before testing out Suisei's darker side.
6 Aki
An other-worldly creature from a different universe, Aki Rosenthal joined the hololive team as part of their first-generation group of streamers. She is a half-elf from another world and is best known for her fun-loving and curious personality, which is contained within the form of a purple-eyed high schooler.
Aki's fighting persona reflects her half-elf identity, and her fighter ratings are true to Elven archetypes. Her strongest trait is her zoning, which means she is a very agile character capable of maintaining distance from her opponents and avoiding damage. She also has a strong offensive rating. However, like the two Gen-0 streamers, her defense sorely lacks. With that said, her multiple commands that allow teleporting makes Aki one of the toughest characters to hit.
5 Coco
Sporting an enormous dragon tail, Kiryu Coco is a yakuza dragon that does all of her best work from close-range. Her default stance has her confidently beckoning her opponent to come closer, which is a clear indication that Coco enjoys damaging her foes with an assortment of painful grappling exchanges.
Despite retiring from the streaming scene in 2021, Coco remains a popular virtual streaming personality, so much so that her appearance in the fan-made game Idol Showdown was a must for her adoring fans. Her fighting style relies heavily on her very high damage rating; however, her style may prove tricky for new players as she is dependent on keeping opponents within arm's reach.
4 Botan
Shishiro Botan uses her special forces background to provide elite-level skill in maintaining distance, and a high-damage arsenal of weapons with ballistic ammunition. She is considered to be the strategist among the roster of Idol Showdown, and will use her fight IQ to always put herself in the most advantageous position possible.
One of the more recent members of the VTuber group and part of the fifth generation of streamers, Botan is an ideal choice for new gamers on the basis that she does the majority of her damage from a distance. If players can maintain plenty of space from their opponent with evasive maneuvers, they can make use of Botan's pistols, rifles, and even a special attack that has her mowing down opponents using a gun from a helicopter.
3 Fubuki
Shirakami Fubuki proudly brandishes the ears and tail that denote her half-fox identity as a fellow first-generation streamer from the ranks of hololive. The silver-haired streamer is active with video game content, frequenting the likes of Apex Legends for the entertainment of hundreds of thousands of followers.
Fubuki is more well-rounded than some of the more offensive-minded personalities in Idol Showdown. In fact, it is her defense and damage that make her stand out, boasting one of the best ratings in both categories. However, this is at the expense of offense rating, which enables the chaining of attacks, and speed. Players will need to time their strikes perfectly to get the winning shot. Given her inclination for dealing damage while taking minimal amounts herself, the Versatile Fox Spirit is a solid choice for Idol Showdown newcomers.
2 Korone
Inugami Korone is described in Idol Showdown as a Retro Fighting Dog. It's a pretty accurate representation of her goofy personality that mirrors that of a playful canine, right down to the bone-shaped hair clips she wears. Best known for her work in the gaming world, it is no surprise that Korone's character in the game is one of the most user-friendly.
Korone is best described as a brawler when it comes to fighting. Her high offense and speed ratings allow her to chain together multiple attacks in rapid succession to overwhelm and punish her opponents. She has fewer commands to learn compared to her fellow fighters, making it far easier for those introducing themselves to Idol Showdown to learn her skills and effectively apply them in battle.
1 Ayame
Representing the second generation of virtual streamers, the Japanese Oni and singer Nakiri Ayame is all about swift strikes and powerful offense. With her somewhat-smug aura that indicates she believes herself above humans and other species, Ayame does not hesitate to flex her skills with a blade.
With a deadly pair of Katana at her hip, Ayame is arguably the best starting point for players new to Idol Showdown. She is the fastest character in the game and is able to produce a barrage of high-speed offense that will overwhelm anyone standing opposite her.
Idol Showdown is available now on PC via Steam.