LitRPG Podcast 232 - League of Losers, Rise of the UnTed, Gate Wars: Upheaval, God Mode
LitRPG Podcast 232 - League of Losers, Rise of the UnTed, Gate Wars: Upheaval, God Mode
June 26th, 2020
Hello everyone, welcome to episode 232 of the LitRPG podcast. I’m Ramon Mejia.
The quarantine mustache experiment has ended. A moment of silence for the fallen ‘stache.
(play video 0)
I’m here to bring you the latest LitRPG news, reviews, and author interviews. We have 4 new reviews just for you.
New Releases and Reviews:
A Cat and His Human (League of Losers Book #1): LitRPG Series (11:32) (Out on June 30th, 2020)
Mix of portal fiction, Survival Apocalypse, Real life RPG
Score: 7.5 out of 10
Rise of the UnTed (17:42)
Undead revenge
Score: 7.4 out of 10
Gate Wars: Upheaval: A LitRPG Novella (20:47)
Good action, just kinda short
Score: 7.4 out of 10
God Mode: a LitRPG Saga (Mythrune Online Book 1) (24:18)
Just an ok story.
Score: 7.2 out of 10
(Play Music 2)
LitRPG News
B.F. Rockriver is putting his novel on sale from 6/26-6/29/2020 for $0.99
"Virtual Horizon" is 99 cents till 06/29/2020
THE MECHANICAL CRAFTER AUDIOBOOK RELEASE + GIVEAWAY!
Get it Here:
💥https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Mechanical-Crafter-Book-1-Audiobook/B08BG8WWZR 💥
I’m excited to announce the release of the audiobook version of the bestselling novel The Mechanical Crafter - Book 1. The narrator Jill Smith brings the characters to life with her wonderful voice work.
Want to win a copy of The Mechanical Crafter on audiobook? Just leave a comment about what you like about the book, or drop your favorite LitRPG or D&D meme or GIF in the comments and you could get one of 5 gift copies! Giveaway ends 07/03/2020
Out Now!
Harbinger (Nova Online #3) - A LitRPG Series
The Dungeon Alaria 2: The Creator's Daughter - A Gamelit / Portal Dungeon Prime Fantasy Novel
Summer Friction: A LitRPG Sci-Fi Adventure (Space Seasons Book 3)
Twilight Templar (The Eternal Journey Book 1)
Sortis Online: Demonborn's Fjord (Book 1)
Plane of Twilight: A Hundred Halls LitRPG and GameLit Novel (Gamemakers Online Book 5)
The Cursed Dungeon: Dungeon of Curses
New LitRPG Audiobooks
The Mechanical Crafter- Book 1
Summer Friction - A LitRPG Sci-Fi Adventure (Space Seasons, Book 3)
Harbinger - Nova Online, Book 3
Rogue Evolution - A LitRPG Adventure (The Rogue Dungeon, Book 4)
Sky Realms Online Books 1-3: A LitRPG Series Box Set
Path of Darkness: BlackFlame Online Universe
Glory of Formation Emperor Series, Book 1
Upcoming LitRPG:
Respawn: Blade of the Ancients (Respawn LitRPG series Book 5) (June 29th, 2020)
Greenfire: (Sky Realms Online Book 4): A LitRPG Series (June 30th, 2020)
A Cat and His Human (League of Losers Book #1): LitRPG Series (June 30th, 2020)
Sovereign Rising (The Gods' Game, Volume III): A LitRPG novel (June 30th, 2020)
Stars Asunder: Book 9 in The System Apocalypse (July 1st, 2020)
Reincarnation: (A Litrpg/Gamelit Novel) (Last Born of Ki'Darth Trilogy Book 1) (July 1st, 2020)
Battleborne (July 1st, 2020)
Orc Spawn: Betrayal: A LitRPG/GameLit Story (July 1st, 2020)
Underworld - Vampire Gate: A LitRPG Series (July 3rd, 2020)
The Path of Faith: A Dystopian GameLit Adventure (Project Chrysalis Book 6) (July 7th, 2020)
Redemption : A LitRPG Space Adventure (The Last Enclave Book 2) (July 7th, 2020)
The Enchanter (Project Stellar Book 2): LitRPG Series (July 8th, 2020)
Dragon Seekers: A LitRPG Journey (Legends Online Book 6) (July 9th, 2020)
Watcher's Question: A LitRPG Saga (Life in Exile Book 2) (July 14th, 2020)
Tears of Alron (The Alchemist Book #3): LitRPG Series (July 14th, 2020)
4X Four Hex: A LitRPG Strategy Series (Avila Online) (July 15th, 2020)
The Ruined Temple: A LitRPG Adventure (Eternal Online Book 2) (July 28th, 2020)
Arrow of Justice - A LitRPG Novel: (Book 1 of the Vindication 2.0 LitRPG Universe) (July 31st, 2020)
Autumn Infernos: A LitRPG Sci-Fi Adventure (Space Seasons Book 4) (July 31st, 2020)
The Hidden Paladin (The World of the Undead Force Book 1): A LitRPG Wuxia Series (Aug. 4th, 2020)
War of the Posers (The Bad Guys Book 4) (Aug. 8th, 2020)
The Way of the Force (The Heavenly Throne Book 2): A LitRPG Wuxia Series (Aug. 11th, 2020)
Intellectum [RealRPG series] Book 1 (Aug. 18th, 2020)
The SyStem: Multiverse: Book 2 (Aug. 23rd, 2020)
Small Unit Tactics (Volume #1): LitRPG Series (Aug. 27th, 2020)
Holy War (Disgardium Book #5): LitRPG Series (Sept. 4th, 2020)
Dungeon Worlds: A Reborn Online LitRPG Adventure (Sept. 9th, 2020)
Dungeon Crawler Carl (Oct. 2nd, 2020)
Watcher’s Fate: A LitRPG Saga (Life in Exile Book 3) (Oct. 6th, 2020)
City of Goblins (In the System Book #1): LitRPG Series (Oct. 7th, 2020)
The Otherworld (Underdog Book #4): LitRPG Series (Oct. 26th, 2020)
Onto New Releases and Reviews
(Play Music 3)
New Releases and Reviews
(Picture 1)
A Cat and His Human (League of Losers Book #1): LitRPG Series
When our protagonist Andrei discovers that his girlfriend has cheated on him, he finds himself with an unexpected choice to make: a quick death, or a new life in another world he knows absolutely nothing about. Andrei chooses life, and sets off alongside his pet, a ginger cat with a limp, for a primeval world fraught with danger. The trouble is… who is whose pet becomes entirely unclear; the man’s consciousness is split between both creatures, and the little cat gets a far greater share of intelligence and wit than his hulking master. What do you do as a weak little kitty? Abandon the clumsy human who always seems to get into trouble, go in search of a new master? Or protect your human body in the hope of one day returning to it?
My Opinion: 354 pages, $3.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy of the story for review. I purchased a copy when it became available.
This is an interesting mix of genres. Part portal fiction, part Survival Apocalypse, part real life RPG. The main character (MC) is a young man from our world who kicked the butt of an arrogant rival and will be killed in retribution. Only he gets the chance to go to a new world instead and among the things he takes is a kitten he rescued. In this new world, he gets an RPG interface, 10 lives, and a choice of several skills that will affect what class he gets later. He's not alone in this new world but is among others who made the same choice he did. Not only that, but they are only the latest arrivals. Turns out this world is full of monsters, magic, and people that want to take what the newcomers have for their own benefit. There are betrayals galore in this apocalypse like world and the MC doesn't know who to trust. Except his kitten, who has his own RPG interface, levels, skills, and magic and will do whatever he can to save his human.
The first third of the story is kinda dark, with a definite survival post apocalyptic feel to it. Few resources, betrayals from other survivors, humans that enslave newcomers. Then about the 40% mark, when the immediate need of survival is reduced the story takes on a more portal fantasy tone with the MC finding others, forming a group, learning unique and powerful skills, and a bit more safely exploring the world around him. It’s still not a light and fluffy story but there’s more action adventure with lots of monster fights and less survival.
Overall, it’s an interesting slice of life LitRPG story that explores a deadly world where humans are not the dominant species.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
A Cat and His Human (League of Losers Book #1): LitRPG Series
Rise of the UnTed
Rise of the UnTed follows the unfortunate adventure of Ted as he starts his new life as an unholy abomination. Only time will tell if he will be another mindless minion or become something else. But first, Ted has to kill his killers. What doesn’t kill you may make you stronger, but sometimes what does kill you just makes you angry.
WARNING: Rise of the UnTed is an undead and necromancer themed GameLit/litRPG. Content includes dead people, dead animals, evil named shovels, necromancers, ancient entities both chaotic and dark, and lots of death.
My Opinion: 71 pages, $0.99, Available on Kindle Unlimited
The main character (MC) is summoned from our world to a fantasy on accidentally, killed, and raised as the undead by a necromancer as part of an experiment. Not only that but another spirit or aspect of him is put in charge of his body and obeys the necromancer. There’s good humor, good action, and an interesting twist on the undead MC. However, LitRPG-wise, it’s pretty light with nothing RPG related showing up till after the 36% mark. There is exactly one showing of a character sheet with stats, skills, and levels. There are a couple more references to stats and levels improving and a few notifications for items or other characters. Most of the story revolves around the MC learning how to control his power, gaining agency, and getting revenge.
Overall, it’s an entertaining short read and I’d read a 2nd story.
Score: 7.4 out of 10
Gate Wars: Upheaval: A LitRPG Novella
The world will change in the next six hours. Governments will fall, people will die, and the natural laws will shatter. A small group of people will gain extraordinary abilities and compete against the alien races of the universe in a life or death competition called the Gate Wars. Will and Rachel will be two of the people to gain reality bending abilities. They will battle their way across their once peaceful city in search of these Gates. They will risk their lives and learn to use their abilities to do something they never thought they would have to do, kill. Will they have what it takes to succeed against the alien races of the universe, or will they succumb to the pain of losing everything? The next six hours will change more than just the world.
This story contains leveling, abilities and some adult language.
My Opinion: 53 pages, $0.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
This is an RPG apocalypse story with a battle royale element. Aliens institute an RPG system on earth and give people the ability to purchase powers and special abilities. Humanity must participate in a battle tournament and collect so many winners coins. The main characters are a husband and wife who decide to throw themselves into the fight.
The game mechanics veer more towards an action RPG. No stats but purchasable and upgradable abilities, levels, XP, and various resources to purchase items in a System store. Loot and weapons drop from defeated human and alien foes after killing them.
Only aspect that seemed a little forced was the immediate acceptance of the couple of this RPG apocalypse and the battle royale. I mean, I understand from a short story perspective that that had to happen quickly to get the plot going. But a little realism is lost when the husband and wife immediately accept an alien invention to fight other people to the death in a tournament without much of a moral debate. The ending is a little abrupt too.
Overall an entertaining short story with some good fights.
Score: 7.4 out of 10
Gate Wars: Upheaval: A LitRPG Novella
God Mode: a LitRPG Saga (Mythrune Online Book 1)
A ten-million-dollar MMORPG tournament. An invincibility hack gone wrong. Welcome to MythRune.
With his glory days behind him and nothing but life as a loser to look forward to, Zane can’t wait for MythRune. A first-of-its-kind immersive fantasy game that promises to provide just the escape from reality a washed-up athlete like him needs.
But when his younger brother learns he only has weeks left to live, Zane is forced to take his gaming to the next level if he’s going to afford to pay for his brother’s operation and ditch their sorry life forever.
To celebrate the launch of MythRune, the game’s developers announce a worldwide player tournament. The prize? Ten million dollars. More than enough.
Utilizing a God Mode bug to make himself invincible, Zane aims to win it all without getting caught.
But it doesn’t work as planned. Between pain-sensitivity glitches, exploitive players, a re-worked world map, and a leveling system unlike anything he’s ever seen, Zane realizes there’s much more to pro gaming than staying alive.
My Opinion: 453 pages, $2.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
It’s an ok story. The stakes of the story are decent, with the main character (MC) trying to level up enough to compete in a VR contest and win money to help pay for a surgery for his brother. The special unique power he has, an exploit he found in the beta test of the game, is to lose the ability to die in the game. He still feels pain, more than others actually, but he can not die as long as he doesn’t log out and lose the unique circumstances that let him use the ‘God Mode’ exploit. Along the way another player figures out he’s doing something fishy and blackmails him into letting her group with him or she’ll report him to the developers. She also wants half the prize money if he wins the contest. Most of the story is a slice of life adventure where the MC chooses a particular race and goes on quests to raise his level and find a contest entry coin.
The game mechanic side of things the novel doesn’t use traditional leveling and XP, instead using randomly dropped stat orbs and an averaging system to determine level. Skills are the big thing as they require points to improve and unlock new abilities, which are gained from quests, random drops, or leveling. The other game mechanics are pretty common in most MMOs and the vibe of the story will feel familiar to anyone that’s played one. There are PKers, Roleplayers, and min/maxers from players and lots of familiar quest types. Lots of notifications, quests, skill increases, a pretty crunchy story.
It really does kinda just follow the MC as he tries to use the short period before the contest to gain levels and a contest token. But there’s not much more to it than that. I didn’t actually like the side character Leesha at all, but I’m sure that was intentionally for the story.The fighting was fine, but there was never any real sense of danger for the MC since I knew he wasn’t going to die. Even for the other players there was no sense of danger since they just respawned. The end antagonist wasn’t really evil, just a jerk.
Overall, it’s an ok story. Nothing bad. Nothing really amazing either. Decent read with some funny moments.
Score: 7.2 out of 10
God Mode: a LitRPG Saga (Mythrune Online Book 1)
That’s it everyone! Thank you for watching/listening.
You can follow us on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/litrpgpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LitRPGPodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3-eBvpm-g7IkjfVktObGAA
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geekbytespodcast
Our Webpage: www.litrpgpodcast.com
Other LitRPG facebook pages
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitRPG.books
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitRPGsociety/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheFantasyNation/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/541733016223492/
If you enjoy the podcast and want to support us you can also find all the other ways to support the podcast at www.litrpgpodcast.com/support
Thanks for hanging out with me today. Until we can hangout again, remember to go read some LitRPG!
(Music 4)
Music Credits
"Blip Stream" "Mighty Like Us" "Big Shift" "Vivacity"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/