Holder of Place

Holder of Place is an indie autobattler roguelike praised for its unique art style, atmospheric worldbuilding, and engaging gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the game's deep synergies, customizable difficulty settings, and the variety of builds and classes that provide a fresh experience each run. The UI and sound design are often highlighted as sleek and fitting the game's abstract, sci-fi vibe.

While the game offers approximately 20-30 hours of content with an endless mode for extended play, some players find the progression slow and desire more challenging bosses, unlocks, and QoL features like mid-run saving and faster animations. Despite minor balance issues and occasional repetitiveness, the game is considered a labor of love with a fair price point and strong replayability for fans of strategic autobattlers and roguelikes.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the artwork and atmospheric presentation, noting its evocative, sci-fi and dark fantasy aesthetic. The gameplay loop is satisfying, with deep synergies and build diversity that keeps runs engaging. The customizable difficulty system allows players to tailor challenges to their skill level. The UI is clean and intuitive, and the soundtrack complements the mood effectively. The addition of multiple unique classes and the endless mode adds to the game's replay value.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include a lack of mid-run saving and QoL features such as saving and quitting or fast-forwarding animations, which can slow down gameplay. Some players find the shop mechanics restrictive and the RNG frustrating, impacting build flexibility. The enemy variety and bosses could be improved, with some encounters feeling uninspired. The game is also noted to have limited content and slow progression, leading to repetitiveness after extended play. A few mention balance issues with certain classes and relics.