LitRPG Podcast 267 - The Corrupted Core, Defiance of the Fall

 

LitRPG Podcast 267 - The Corrupted Core, Defiance of the Fall


June 25th, 2021

Hello everyone, welcome to episode 267 of the LitRPG podcast. I’m Ramon Mejia. 

I’m here to bring you the latest LitRPG news, reviews, and author interviews.  We have 2 new reviews just for you. 

New Releases and Reviews:

The Corrupted Core (The Dungeon of Stories Book 1) (06:36)

Read most of these elements before

Score: 7.3 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3ggZSuh 


Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure (12:44)

Rough start, but really good action RPG Apocalypse story

Score: 7.8 out of 10

https://amzn.to/3gxPGxE 



(Play Music 2)

LitRPG News

Luke Chmilenko, LitRPG author extraordinaire, has started a kickstarter campaign for the hardcover collector edition of Ascend Online book 1. It will have fancy maps, art, and a bestiary section. Additionally there will be signed editions. The project met its funding goals within hours of starting, but you can still help them reach their stretch goals or you can just sign up for some great rewards including: your name in a story, signed editions of hard cover, postcards, posters, and digital art work. Your chance to sign up ends July 4th, 2021.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aetherworld/collector-editions-of-ascend-online-book-1 



Out Now!


Masters of Strata (Deepest Dungeon #2) - A LitRPG series 

https://amzn.to/3wjPese 


Adventures in Clothing: A System Apocalypse short story 

https://amzn.to/3cBavWI 


Viridian Gate Online: Resurrection: A litRPG Adventure (The Heartfire Healer Series Book 1) 

https://amzn.to/3faIqqS 


Wyrmshard: A LitRPG Adventure (Savage Dominion Book 2) 

https://amzn.to/35fYj9E 


Terramyr Online: An Undiscovered Country: A LitRPG Adventure 

https://amzn.to/3goWgqu 


Ethria 3: The Liberator: An Epic LitRPG Adventure!

https://amzn.to/3AaWxVM 


Bio Dungeon: Hemostasis (The Body's Dungeon Book 3)

https://amzn.to/3dfZD0M 


Dragon's Knight: A 4X Strategy LitRPG Series (Warlords of the Circle Sea)

https://amzn.to/3wSWTOF 


Condition Evolution 5: A Litrpg/Gamelit Adventure 

https://amzn.to/2SyD1S8 


Easy Meat (Foodstuffs LitRPG Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3jtsLWr 




New LitRPG Audiobooks


I Am Gamer III

https://amzn.to/3xU9b9t 


Ruins of Camelot -A GameLit/LitRPG Portal Fantasy Adventure (The Abduction Cycles, Book 4)

https://amzn.to/3A2erKg 


Masters of Strata - Deepest Dungeon, Book 2 (LitRPG)

https://amzn.to/2UHjZtp 


A New Script - A System Apocalypse Short Story (The System Apocalypse Short Stories)

https://amzn.to/3zTdOCy 


Warfang - A LitRPG Series (Sky Realms Online, Book 5)

https://amzn.to/3qrzFN6 


Moonlight Banishes Shadows - The Infinite World, Book 3

https://amzn.to/2UGlgRx 


Terramyr Online - An Undiscovered Country: A LitRPG Adventure

https://amzn.to/2U1Oaer 


Black Dawn - An Apocalyptic LitRPG Adventure (Fae Nexus, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/2U2mOoG 


Life Reset: Salvation - New Era Online, Book 6

https://amzn.to/3xVmwOV 


Isekai Magus: A LitRPG Progression Saga

https://amzn.to/3haQeZq 


Death's Favorite Warlock - Death's Favorite Warlock, Book 1

https://amzn.to/2T5T8Xm 


Curious Beginnings - A LitRPG Adventure (Salvos, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3dg9jIw 


Tales of a Northblood: Winter's Quest: A LitRPG Saga

https://amzn.to/3jlFt9D 



Upcoming LitRPG:



Citadel : A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 5) (June 29th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2RKAeoi 


Seventh Realm Part 1: A LitRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 8) (June 29th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3gXpU6h 


Prison of Gourmet: BlackFlame Online Litrpg/Gamelit Universe (Path of Crafting Book 2) (June 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3pLSBWx 


Engage (EvoBorne - A LitRPG Saga Book 4) (July 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3dpCpWn


Cyber-Mage Realization: A Dark LitRPG / LitFPS SciFi-Shooter (Overtaken Online Book 3) (July 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3wvKGPv 


The Gate of the Feral Gods: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 4 (July 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3uaNAbo 


Pyresouls Apocalypse: Futures Grave: A Dark Fantasy LitRPG/Gamelit Story (Pyresouls Apocalypse, Book 2) (July 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3h7VKMv 


Broken World: A LitRPG Adventure (Master Hunter K Book 1) (July 2nd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3divNIX 


Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones (Book #7): LitRPG Series

(July 2nd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2PC5EMA 


Devourer (Reality Benders Book #8): LitRPG Series (July 12th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2RQnsou 


 

Pride (Dinosaur Dungeon Book 2) (July 12th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3aUpXw7 


Awakening: A LitRPG/GameLit Series (World of Magic Book 1) (July 13th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/32pxBKt 


Rend: A Zombie Apocalypse LitRPG (Necrotic Apocalypse Book 3) (July 14th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3gUFX4Q 


Isekai Magus 3: A LitRPG Progression Saga (The Fantasy World of Nordan) (July 18th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3x7OOp4 


Hexworld 2: Play: A GameLit/LitRPG Adventure (July 20th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3ed0wGS 


They Called Me Madder: A LitRPG Apocalypse Series (July 20th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3ggOK0V 


The Crafter's Dynasty: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 6) (July 21st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3qrztNW 


Frostworld: Ice & Blood: A GameLit/LitRPG Adventure (July 27th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3dnBlT2 



Hunt: A Divine Dungeon Series (Lion's Lineage Book 1) (July 28th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3vX7A1p 


Tower of Steel and Shadow: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy (July 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2RB2mKs 


Wild Wild Quest: A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure (The Good Guys Book 12) (July 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3xUy7xD 


The Merchant System (Book Two) (July 31st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3iANyqh 


Frameup: A LitRPG Superhero Adventure (VR Hero Book 3) (Aug. 1st, 2021)

https://amzn.to/35QQEPF 


Corsair's Prize: A LitRPG Dungeon Core Adventure (Dungeon of Evolution Book 2) (Aug. 2nd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3cBkzPj 


Bushido Online: Pacchi Festival: A LitRPG Saga (Aug. 2nd, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2RKq2MA 


Enemy of the Inferno (Disgardium Book #8): LitRPG Series (Aug. 9th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3wgi64I 


Executor Rising: A LitRPG Adventure (Magnus Book 2) (Aug. 10th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3zjaBMl 


Defiance of the Fall 2: A LitRPG Adventure (Aug. 10th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3vipafM 


Back to One: A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure (The Bad Guys Book 7) (Aug. 12th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3wlxFs6 


Blessed Time: A LitRPG Adventure (Aug. 17th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/2UEnot0 


Neverstone: A LitRPG Adventure (The Mad Elf Book 1) (Aug. 24th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3vf7dyP 


The Crew (Captains & Cannons Book 2)  (Aug. 24th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3vf79z5 


The Starlight Fleet (Rogue Merchant Book #7): LitRPG Series (August 25th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3whjTq5 


Legendary Dungeon Seed: The Mage's Academy (Vol. 3) (Aug. 30th, 2021)

https://amzn.to/3vSejtz 

Onto New Releases and Reviews


(Play Music 3)

New Releases and Reviews


(Picture 1)

The Corrupted Core (The Dungeon of Stories Book 1)

The first rank four dungeon ever born. An unusually talented party of adventurers. Both must face the terror that destroyed the kingdom that came before them.


Will is the newest in a long line of dungeons born into the world—and he’s a rank higher than any dungeon that preceded. He’s born along with seven other dungeons in a small area, but so many dungeons were born in one place because of a magical disaster… A disaster brought about by the Voidbringers who sought to conquer the world.


Now the unthinkable has happened. The Voidbringers have returned, and they have the ability to corrupt dungeons. As a powerful dungeon, Will is one of their targets. He comes under assault by their minions, has to deal with aggressive neighboring dungeons, and of course, adventurers.


With the aid of his dungeon fairy, Amber, and an adventuring party run by Gar Adamant, displaced prince of the kingdom destroyed by the Voidbringers, Will must grow his dungeon to become as strong as he possibly can, grow his nearby town, defend himself and the locals, and fend off the enemies that surround him everywhere.


A Dungeon Core story.


My Opinion: 394 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited


This starts out as a fairly typical dungeon core story. Core wakes up, starts to instinctively absorb the surrounding rock, gets a dungeon fairy to explain how things work, and then builds a dungeon. The first 10% or so, is pretty much an info dump of game mechanics and the initial choices for the core to make, and some mildly annoying hand holding by the fairy guide as she tells the core step by step how to build his dungeon and create monsters. 


The first dungeon invader shows up at the 10% mark, but it's a rather unsatisfying experience. The invaders are all level 1 which doesn’t really make sense as the dungeon is in a random location so you’d expect some variety of levels. Additionally, the core just can’t bring himself to kill the perceived good invader, a level 1 elf girl, but has no qualms about killing the three level 1 goblins. There’s no setup for this sudden moral compass, nor does it really mesh with a creature whose sole purpose is to kill invaders with traps and monsters to grow stronger. Though this moral compass does shift as the story progresses.


There’s also a second point of view with the dwarves and elves that live around this undescribed location. I’d say you spend 70% of your time in the story with this dwarf prince and his group as they dungeon dive, develop the town, and manage competing interests with the elves and adventurer’s guild. I actually found this second narrative a bit more interesting than the dungeon core section. The characters develop some depth through dialogue, there’s some world building as the dwarf prince travels to recruit villagers and tradesmen, and eventually there’s a big conflict that adds some action. They level too, so you get some RPG progression there. 


Speaking of game mechanics, this is a LitRPG story as both the dungeon and the adventures gain levels and new powers from killing monsters. The basic mechanics aren’t complex and there’s enough level theory thrown in that it’s interesting. But there’s nothing particularly original about any of the mechanics. The dungeon has an earth and nature affinity (called Wylde) and he has some choices on how he develops, but it doesn't really amount to anything particularly unique. Nothing bad or broken here either though. I’d only complain that it felt particularly forced that both the adventurers and the dungeon core start at level 1 and level up in tangent. 


Which brings me to the fundamental issue with the story. It feels very patterned upon other dungeon core stories without bringing anything particularly new to the table. There’s nothing really bad here. Decent writing, fleshed out game mechanics, regular action from the dungeon dives, and a fairly entertaining second POV. But the dungeon core stuff just didn’t do much for me. From the core character and snarky fairy companion, to monsters to how the dungeon develops, and the big ending conflict, I’ve read it all before.


Overall, the novel is a solid LitRPG Dungeon Core story and it’s fairly entertaining, there wasn’t anything that wowed me. 


Score: 7.3 out of 10

The Corrupted Core (The Dungeon of Stories Book 1)

https://amzn.to/3ggZSuh 



Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure


Zac was alone in the middle of the forest when the world changed...


The whole planet was introduced to the multiverse by an unfeeling System... or God. A universe where an endless number of races and civilizations fought for power and dominion.


Zac finds himself stuck in the wilderness surrounded by deadly beasts, demons, and worse. Alone, lost and without answers, he must find the means to survive and get stronger in this new cut-throat reality.


With only a hatchet for his weapon, he'll have to seek out his family before the world collapses... or die trying.


Experience the start of the hit LitRPG series with over 20 Million views on Royal Road. For the first time, Defiance of the Fall is now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible narrated by Pavi Prozcko.


About the Series: Jump into a System Apocalypse story that merges LitRPG elements with eastern cultivation. Class systems, skill systems, endless choices for progression, it has everything fans of the genre love. Explore a vast universe full of mystery, adventure, danger and even aliens; where even a random passer-by might hold the power of a god. Follow Zac as he struggles to stake out a unique path to power as a mortal in a world full of cultivators.


My Opinion: 685 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited


This is an action oriented RPG Apocalypse serial story collected and published. The very start is a little rough, but the author finds his writing style fairly quickly and there’s action adventure galore with the first half of the novel focusing on a solo adventure story for the main character (MC) as he is forced to skip the tutorial of the RPG Apocalypse and fights monsters to survive and fulfill the quests he’s given by the system. It's a dangerous path, but a potentially rewarding one. The second half of the story expands into a bit of town building, community building, and waves of monsters to fight to protect the small base he’s established. Plus some world building as the MC gets a chance to leave his little monster ridden island and connect with other surviving beings. 


The RPG side of things is pretty decent. There’s a cultivation aspect to the power growth, but the MC gains much of his power from good old monster killing and grinding out XP through quests. The cultivation aspect adds an explanation about a way to gather power and grow without killing monsters and is kind of the power system for the magic-tech used. There is a good power growth curve with reasonably explained systems that mimic game stuff like a leader board, how XP works, the system itself, powers, and class systems. Good details on most of it and enough variety that it's not repetitive. 


Overall, this is a really good action focused story that many readers have enjoyed, me included. There’s not a whole ton of character development yet, the world building is just sort of starting in the second half of the novel, and as a collected serial there’s not one big story arc but multiple smaller ones. But the action is top notch and I don’t doubt that the story will get more complex as it continues. 


Score: 7.8 out of 10

Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure

https://amzn.to/3gxPGxE 



That’s it everyone! Thank you for watching/listening. 


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Thanks for hanging out with me today. Until we can hangout again, remember to go read some LitRPG!  


(Music 4)