LitRPG Podcast 272 - Dungeon Core Online, Blessed Time, Original Enchantment, Aethermarked, The Tutorial Is Too Hard
LitRPG Podcast 272 - Dungeon Core Online, Blessed Time, Original Enchantment, Aethermarked, The Tutorial Is Too Hard
Sept. 17th, 2021
Hello everyone, welcome to episode 272 of the LitRPG podcast. I’m Ramon Mejia.
I’m here to bring you the latest LitRPG news, reviews, and author interviews. We have 5 new reviews just for you.
For the full show notes visit us at: https://litrpgpodcast.com/litrpg-podcast-272
New Releases and Reviews:
Dungeon Core Online: Remastered Edition - Book One
The humor makes or breaks this dungeon core story
Score: 7.6 out of 10
Blessed Time: A LitRPG Adventure
Slow start but good time travel use
Score: 7.6 out of 10
Original Enchantment (True Calling LitRPG Book 1)
Slice of life trapped in a game story
Score: 7.2 out of 10
Aethermarked: A Dark Fantasy GameLit Isekai
Some Good parts but it has issues
Score: 4 out of 10
The Tutorial Is Too Hard (Webcomic)
When hard mode is too hard
Score: 7.7 out of 10
https://www.asurascans.com/comics/the-tutorial-is-too-hard/
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LitRPG News
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LitRPG Podcast at DragonCon 2021. I spent lots of time with some of my favorite authors.
There was definitely a different vibe at the convention this year. Few people, everyone was a little more cautious about touching. Thankfully, the convention went out of their way to provide a safe environment. You had to have proof of a vaccination or a day of test that you didn’t have Covid to even get a DragonCon badge. Plus, there was more hand sanitizer than I ever thought I’d see.
There was still some great cosplay around but I went to a few panels that some LitRPG authors were on, but mostly we just ate, drank, and hung out. A nice highlight was a special gathering from Mountain Dale Press for their authors and fans, and a special trip to Medieval Times.
Out Now!
An Outcast in Another World: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Book 1 - Human Insanity)
Betrayal of the Arcani: Beginnings (A Real LitRPG series)
The Entropic Core (The Dungeon of Stories Book 2)
The Dungeon Fairy: Four Days: A Dungeon Core Escapade (The Hapless Dungeon Fairy Book 4)
Forbidden Zone: An Apocalyptic Space Opera LitRPG (The System Apocalypse Book 11)
Immortal (Titan Online #2) - A Superhero LitRPG Story
Original Enchantment (True Calling LitRPG Book 1)
Level Up, Kaiju!: A LitRPG Adventure
Biomancer (New Era Online: Biomancer Book 1)
Frostworld 2: Honor & Iron: A LitRPG/GameLit Viking Adventure
He Who Fights with Monsters 3: A LitRPG Adventure
Transformed: A Dark Fantasy LitRPG (Arcana Unlocked Book 3)
Back to One: A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure (The Bad Guys Book 7)
Manipulating Magic: An Epic LitRPG Series (Jeff the Game Master Book 2)
Cinnamon Bun (Volume Three): A Wholesome LitRPG
Undeath: An Epic LitRPG Progression Fantasy Novel (Apocosmos Book 4)
An Agonizing Day and A Dread Knight: A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure (Bone Knight Book 6)
Stray Shadow: Oh Sh*t! Wrong Side of Heaven! (Arachnomancer Book 2)
Minced Meat (Foodstuffs LitRPG Book 2)
The Invasion (Tower of Power Book 6)
Artificial Jelly: A LitRPG Dungeon Mob Searching for Hope
A (Very) Evil Dungeon (Dungeon Core Mountain Book 2)
APOCALYPSE ONLINE: An Apocalyptic Litrpg Adventure
The Realm Between: God of Death: A LitRPG Saga (Book 9)
The Seventh Realm Part 2: A LitRPG Fantasy series (The Ten Realms Book 9)
Dungeon of the Old Gods: A Dark Dungeon Realm LitRPG
New LitRPG Audiobooks
The Gate of the Feral Gods: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 4
Oh, Great! I Was Reincarnated as a Farmer
Land of War - Dragon Heart, Book 10
A LitRPG Adventure (He Who Fights with Monsters, Book 3)
Overlord, Vol. 1 (Light Novel): The Undead King
Lost Bonds - Binding Words Book 6
Dungeon Core Online - Remastered Edition - Book One
The Grand Game Book 1 - A Solo Adventure in a New World
The Crafter's Dynasty - A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting, Book 6)
https://audiobookguild.com/products/lions-quest-04-charmed
Upcoming LitRPG:
Immersion Online: The Zealot : Book 2 - A LitRPG Novel (Immersion Online: Lit RPG) (Sept. 19th, 2021)
Kingdom of Sails: A LitRPG/GameLit Series (World of Magic Book 2) (Sept. 21st, 2021)
Black Sand Baron (The Ripple System Book 2) (Sept. 23rd, 2021)
Soulstream (Rise To Omniscience Book 10) (Sept. 23rd, 2021)
Arbiter (Underdog Book #7): LitRPG Series (Sept. 23rd, 2020)
Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones (Book #8): LitRPG Series (Sept. 27th, 2021)
Resurrection: A LitRPG Adventure (Epiphany Realms Book 1) (Sept. 28th, 2021)
Phinean & Jaleal's Unsanctioned Adventure (A LitRPG Novel) (Sept. 30th, 2021)
Cat Core, Book 2, Lich's Bargain (A Dungeon Core, LitRPG Adventure) (Sept. 30th, 2021)
Rival Crowns (Challenger's Call Book 7) (Sept. 30th, 2021)
Order: A Superhero LitRPG Adventure (VR Hero Book 4) (Oct. 1st, 2021)
Idea (Starting Point Book #1): LitRPG Series (Oct. 1st, 2021)
Collapse (The Weight Of It All): A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure (Oct. 8th, 2021)
The Archon (Project Stellar Book 5): LitRPG Series (Oct. 11th, 2021)
Defending Earth (In the System Book #3): LitRPG Series (Oct. 14th, 2021)
Legion's Fifth Vault: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Divine Apostasy Book 5) (Oct. 15th, 2021)
Daemonorg Colossus: A Dark LitRPG / LitFPS SciFi-Shooter (Overtaken Online Book 4) (Oct. 15th, 2021)
Infinite Dark: A Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG Fantasy: (Cowboy Necromancer Book Two) (Oct. 15th, 2021)
Old-School (Unfrozen Book #2): LitRPG Series (Oct. 18th, 2021)
Drakon Prince: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (Oct. 19th, 2021)
Player Reached the Top. LitRPG Series. Book VII (Oct. 21st, 2021)
The Nemesis of the Living (An NPC's Path Book #5): LitRPG Series (Oct. 26th, 2021)
They Called Me Maddest: A LitRPG Apocalypse Series (Oct. 26th, 2021)
Blessed Time 2: Coda: A LitRPG Adventure (Oct. 26th, 2021)
The Centennial Tournament: A LitRPG Cultivation Saga (Infinite Realm Book 3) (Oct. 26th, 2021)
Empire Ascendant: A LitRPG Adventure (UnderVerse Book 6) (Oct. 26th, 2021)
Mana Harvest: A Sword to Ploughshares LitRPG (The Sword to Ploughshares Saga Book 1) (Oct. 31st, 2021)
Defiance of the Fall 3: A LitRPG Adventure (Nov. 2nd, 2021)
Glory to the Dominion! (Disgardium Book #9): LitRPG Series (Nov. 4th, 2021)
The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound: A LitRPG Adventure (Nov. 9th, 2021)
The Guardian of the Verge (The Range Book #3): LitRPG Series (Nov. 11th, 2021)
Gates of Thunder (Loner Book #1): LitRPG Series
The Houndsman: A Base-Building LitRPG Adventure (Nov. 16th, 2021)
Cleaver's Edge: A LitRPG Fantasy Cooking Adventure (Morcster Chef Book 1) (Nov. 30th, 2021)
Onto New Releases and Reviews
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New Releases and Reviews
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Dungeon Core Online: Remastered Edition - Book One
James thought he would be just another adventurer in the world’s most anticipated dungeon delving VRMMORPG. But when he logs in, he soon finds out that he won’t be diving the dungeon – he will be creating it. Pretty awesome right?
At least that was what he thought when he boldly chose ‘Random’ as his dungeon type…
Then he summoned his first mob. A fearsome, bloodthirsty demonic… Chicken.
Still, Demonic Farm Animals are the least of his worries. The person who is supposed to be teaching him the ropes is a weirdly advanced AI pixie who drinks too much and is overly fond of gambling. Oh and some mysterious figure seems to be watching and judging his every move – so signing that NDA is feeling like less and less of a solid choice.
Either way, James is up for the challenge. Even if it means building a dungeon around kamikaze sheep, enraged cows, unhygienic pigs and yes… Dickens.
At least his next randomly selected mob type can’t be worse… right?
This is the revised, edited and novelized retelling of the popular Royal Road web serial Dungeon Core Online by Glyax.
My Opinion: 417 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
This is a straightforward dungeon core novel with a demonic farm theme. It's an online serial story compiled and edited and as such its kinda slice of life sometimes. Especially in the beginning where it’s heavily front loaded with game details. So much so that the main character (MC) spends the first 20% (like 80 pages) getting in the game, becoming a dungeon core, and figuring out his dungeon build before the adventurers dungeon dive. There’s also a particular sense of humor in the story, puns, gaming jokes, and weird naming jokes that will either make you laugh or annoy you.
It’s not until about 70% in that any sort of larger plot comes into the story, but it’s something that doesn’t change much in this book as much as sets up conflicts in future stories.
Overall, a good slice of life dungeon core story.
Score: 7.6 out of 10
Dungeon Core Online: Remastered Edition - Book One
Blessed Time: A LitRPG Adventure
Some disasters can only be avoided if you know they’re coming...
On Karell, you are either blessed by the gods, granted a unique power and the ability to gain experience and levels, or you are forgotten. Micah Silver was a boy picked for greatness. Chosen by the gods to bear a mythic power, he longed to take his place amongst the heroes and legends he grew up reading about.
Unfortunately, his primary blessing only allows him to travel into the past by sacrificing his class, wealth, and levels--a psychological burden that Micah is reluctant to shoulder. But, even if Micah is unwilling, fate has a way of forcing you to face your destiny... and running away can cost you everything.
Over and over again...
Experience the start of a time-loop LitRPG Series where a reluctant hero is forced to fight against an impossible catastrophe. Using his talents for enchanting items and summoning creatures, he must retrace his steps and grow stronger in a potentially futile effort to prevent tragedy and protect his family.
My Opinion: 412 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
Definitely a slow burn story where the premise of the MC having the ability to travel back in time exactly 5 years doesn’t come into play until you’re 25% into the story. Until then, the story is pretty slice of life with the MC training his magic and fighting in a group with team mates until something goes terribly wrong years later which prompts the MC to finally use that time travel ability. From there it’s the MC reliving those years with various interesting outcomes based on what things he changes. The core of the story is the same, with the training and experimentation meant to make the MC powerful enough to avert a terrible future.
The time travel aspect of the story works well, though the last 15% or so felt a little stretched as the MC had resolved the big issue by then. Still, overall an entertaining story if you don’t mind the slow start.
Score: 7.6 out of 10
Blessed Time: A LitRPG Adventure
Original Enchantment (True Calling LitRPG Book 1)
"Oh devs who art in the issue queue. Hallowed be thy code. Thy commits merge without conflict. Thy will be done in production as it is on local. I'm sure you guys are busy and all, but I can't log out."
As a programmer, Ike knows all about Virtual Dive Experiences (VDX), but when he suddenly wakes up in a virtual game he's never heard of, he’s too busy struggling to survive to worry about how he got there. Luckily, he's got a trick up his sleeve: The ability to program custom enchantments for his gear.
He’ll need that and more to figure out what’s going on, since there’s no tutorial and True Calling plays by its own rules: Your class and race are chosen for you, the NPCs are indistinguishable from the players, every quest is unique, and the GMs keep leaving Ike’s prayers unanswered.
My Opinion: 314 pages, $5.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
This is a slice of life trapped in a game story. Most of the story has the main character (MC) casually fighting monsters, questing, and grouping. The thing that separates the story a little from others is that the MC has an artificer class and that he crafts a lot. It's a fine story if you like crafting like I do and I did appreciate some of the details of the class and how the MC maximized them to gain some measure of power.
There were a few things that were a little off putting. I don’t think the story really needed to trap the MC in the game, it didn’t add anything to the story since his life was never threatened and he was the only person trapped. The only thing it connects to the story is a very minor thread with a business possibly trying to get the MC to break an NDA that forbade him from telling others he was trapped, which didn’t make sense that he signed in the first place. Also, this story thread doesn’t go anywhere until the very very end. Additionally, there were a few wand wavy moments towards the end that felt like they didn’t make sense from a game. I mean, not if levels and game mechanics were really important.
Overall however, it’s a fine slice of life story if you like crafting.
Score: 7.2 out of 10
Original Enchantment (True Calling LitRPG Book 1)
Aethermarked: A Dark Fantasy GameLit Isekai
Friendless, broken by grief, tired of the real world, Jin-ee represents the perfect candidate for the new on-site 24/7 fully immersive gaming sensation, Aethermarked. Of course becoming Phallania Trevellian is more than she ever dreamed, and more than she bargained for. From the moment she submerges into a vat of conductive nanogel and chooses her first spell, she’s captivated at the reality and wonder of the wide magical world around her, a new life so different from what she'd had in the real world.
That is, until the game refuses to let her out. Jin-ee has no choice but to become her character, and trust that the people behind the game are honestly trying to free her, rather than use her as a televised marketing sensation to drive up sales. Things take a turn down a dark path when Phallania faces down eldritch horrors, and battles fiends for her very survival. It is only then she realizes that what she thought was a game may be more than she bargained for.
Warning: Things get dark at times. There might sometimes be content that you find traumatic. This LitRPG Isekai contains scenes of torture and minor fade-to-black sexual content.
My Opinion: 557 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy for review. I purchased a copy when it became available.
*Good parts but it has issues*
While there were good elements to the story, it ultimately didn’t feel cohesive and there were aspects that I found annoying as all heck.
First the good. The story does a good job of fleshing out the backstory of the MMO character that the main character (MC) is playing. I especially think the first memory revealed, the bit with the character playing a chess-like board game with her dad, was well done. She gets a few happy memories that help with world building and hint at the scheming type of governments. But the MMO/fantasy character also gets troubled memories that balance our her backstory. Good stuff dribbled through the novel.
Additionally, the game system is fleshed out enough that a reader could build their own character. You can tell the authors put the time in to think of a balanced system between factions.
Now for, well not the bad, but stuff that didn’t work for me or was just annoying.
The very beginning of the story, the setup for why the MC goes full immersion, was rather annoying. It felt like the author took inspiration from Charlie and the Chocolate factory and had the main character (MC) apply for a rare spot where a famous game company would pay her bills and salary and give her a free month in their first full immersion game. It was a lot of pomp and very suspect questions about her not having family and just felt so unreal it was off putting. Additionally it tries to setup that the MC will get famous from all the streams watching her, but none of that ever matters.
Thankfully that opening setup doesn’t last too long and by the 4% mark the MC is making her character and the reader gets a character sheet.
The early part of the story isn't half bad. I didn't care for the forced romance where the MC asks for the game to copy a memory of a bad ex-boyfriend (also to block her memory that she asked) to insert as her early romance but it wasn't a big enough part to matter. The MC gets her class, some backstory cut scenes, and some action as she goes on a couple missions.
What messed things up for me was the VERY predictable trapped in the game by the AI plot that shows up around the 14% mark. I mean really? The story was doing fine without it. If anything, as the story continues on, the trapped in the game part really interrupts what could have been an interesting storyline about intrigue, guile based abilities, and factions vying for control and power in this country. The MC can’t die in the game or she’ll die IRL, or so we’re told. But that setup means that no matter the terrible things that happen to the MC the reader knows she’ll never die, so there’s no real tension to the threats she faces. It’s one of the reasons I dislike the ‘die in the game die in real life’ setup. One of the main ways a gamer learns about the game system is by their character dying. It's an experience every gamer can relate to and that it doesn't exist in a story set in an MMO feels disconnected to a reader's expectation.
About half way through, the story seems to abandon the game aspect to a large degree as it introduces time travel and some other predictable twists in the story are revealed. Not to say the notifications or leveling disappears, just that the RPG elements feel more like a substitute for magical fantasy powers and not a real system where character build choices matter.
In general, time travel is a hard thing to get right and unfortunately this story doesn’t. The story ends up using them to have the MC just pop from place to place getting into trouble, revealing some new layer of the world she is in. She eventually escapes using time travel or some magical power she didn’t earn in the system that she needs at that moment.
The other story twists, which I won’t spoil, were predictable and it always seemed that the story was struggling to maintain the game elements or even a connection to what was supposed to be an MMO. Eventually, the plot holes relating to that struggle started to pile up and I just wished the story hadn’t had the game stuff at all. I especially disliked how the main antagonist was developed and handled. That the MC let the guy live after what he did to her (this is the traumatic content warned about) didn’t feel at all natural and the big ‘twist’ about who he was felt very very forced.
Also, a small technical pet peeve unique to LitRPG/GameLit: There was also no real need to show the full character sheet and its pages and pages of details every time the character leveled. Instead, just the changes would have been ok or just a reminder of some important abilities if they were going to come up. Mostly it felt like page filler.
Overall, even though there were some good elements, the story didn’t work for me. Worse, as the story progressed, I ended up not liking it. It felt like it was fighting with itself trying to decide whether it wanted to be a ‘trapped in the game’ story or a fantasy story with time travel. That plus the disjointed way time travel ended up resolving issues, pushed it past ‘this doesn’t work for me’ to ‘I just don’t like the story anymore’.
Score: 4 out of 10
Aethermarked: A Dark Fantasy GameLit Isekai
The Tutorial Is Too Hard
One day, amidst a boring life, an invitation message appears before my eyes.
[Would you like to enter the tutorial world?]
Following it is a difficulty-selection window.
Easy, Normal, Hard, Hell.
I select Hell-Difficulty without hesitation.
And I regret it.
I know it said Hell-Difficulty, but this is just TOO MUCH!!!!.
My Opinion: 26 chapters, FREE, No Official English Publisher
A slice of life story where the bunch of people find themselves transported into an place where they have RPG powers and have to fight monsters, avoid traps, and dungeon run to survive. It’s not as broad as a RPG Apocalypse story, as it’s told from the perspective of the main character (MC) who is the only ones that chose the hardest difficulty setting for this challenge. He mostly goes through these tests, figures out ways to exploit little things to help him survive, level up and gain powers. But there’s also a gradually revealed plotline outside his hard setting space, where he sees that others who are on easier settings have their own instances and he can communicate with them through a chat/message board. It’s a nice way to flesh out other experiences and also develop an evil group plotline.
Overall, it’s a good webcoming with clean crisp artwork that really conveys the action. I only wish there were faster updates to the story.
Score: 7.7 out of 10
https://www.asurascans.com/comics/the-tutorial-is-too-hard/
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