LitRPG Podcast 281 - Black Centurion, Eternal Dominion Book 2, Tower Climber Terry, The Infinite World Book 4, Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation
LitRPG Podcast 281 - Black Centurion, Eternal Dominion Book 2, Tower Climber Terry, The Infinite World Book 4, Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation
Feb. 26th, 2021
Hello everyone, welcome to episode 281 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.
New Releases and Reviews:
Black Centurion: A LitRPG Novel (13:13)
An ok trip into a Roman RPG world.
Score: 7.3 out of 10
Eternal Dominion Book 2: Traction (21:09)
Good story, though I had enjoyed it less than book 1
Score: 7.4 out of 10
Tower Climber Terry: A LitRPG Series (27:04)
A directionless story set in a fantasy RPG world
Score: 6 out of 10
Brambles and Thorns (The Infinite World Book 4) (39:08)
A good slice of life serial story
Score: 7.5 out of 10
Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation (Webcomic) (41:56)
An interesting mix of Save Point regression and cultivation fantasy world.
Score: 7.3 out of 10
https://www.webtoons.com/en/action/murim-rpg-simulation/list?title_no=3779
https://flamescans.org/series/heavenly-demon-cultivation-simulation/
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LitRPG News
Out Now!
A Royal Ending: A New Adult LitRPG Fantasy (Adventures on Brad Book 9)
The Houndsman 2: A Base-Building LitRPG Adventure
Valentine Core: A Holiday Dungeon Core Novella
World Keeper: Information is Power
Insight: A Fantasy LitRPG Saga (A Touch of Power Book 4)
Heroes of the Final Frontier (Book #1): The World of Waldyra LitRPG Cycle
Drone Captain - A Sci-fi LitRPG: Drone Rising 2
Tempest: A LitRPG Adventure (Elemental Mastery Book 1)
The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound 2: A LitRPG Adventure
Lady February: A LitRPG Cultivation Saga (Year of the Sword Book 2)
Climbing the Dragon's Tower 3: LitRPG Fantasy (Dragon Riders of Lon)
Immersion Online: The Symbiont : Book 3 (Immersion Online: Lit RPG)
Discovering Power: A LitRPG Adventure (Realms of Power and Fury Book 1)
Defiance of the Fall 4: A LitRPG Adventure
Pyrite Seraph: A Mecha LitRPG (Captain Overdrive Book 2)
Advanced Heroes of Last Resort: A LitRPG Adventure
9 Hells: An Epic LitRPG Urban Fantasy Novel (Apocosmos Book 5)
Villain Core (Superhero Dungeon Book 1)
Clear Threat (Disgardium Book #10): LitRPG Series
Alpha Physics! Book 4 - Albury: A Post Apocalypse Progression Fantasy
New LitRPG Audiobooks
Defiance of the Fall 4: A LitRPG Adventure
The Chosen Ones A LitRPG Adventure (Master Hunter K, Book 2)
The Crypt Lord's Call Godguild Book 1
Castle Manager The Fantasy World of Dorbin Book 3
Valentine Core A Holiday Dungeon Core Novella
Mephisto's Magic Online Omnibus
Books 1-3 in a Fantasy LitRPG Series
Edda Gaia and the Origins of Ragnarok
Royal Blood A BloodHaven LitRPG
Lady February A LitRPG Cultivation Saga (Year of the Sword, Book 2)
Daemonorg Colossus A Dark LitRPG/LitFPS SciFi-Shooter
The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound 2 A LitRPG Adventure
The Plaguelands - Salvos Book 3
The Skeletal Champion - Pandemonium Dungeon Apocalypse
Dragon's End - A 4X Strategy LitRPG Series (Warlords of the Circle Sea, Book 5)
Mist Wardens - Beastborne Book 3
Wild Wild Quest - The Good Guys Series Book 12
Apocalypse: Dungeon System - Systems of the Apocalypse Book 3
Path to the Glory - Dragon Heart Series Book 12
Enter System - Natural Laws Apocalypse Series Book 1
Ascension - Legends Online Book 8
Christmas Core - A Holiday Dungeon Core Novella
Critical Failures IX - Caverns and Creatures, Book 9
Godsword - Goblin Summoner, Book 3
Fall of a Dungeon House - City of Masks, Book 1
Upcoming LitRPG:
Crafter's Fate 1: A LitRPG Adventure (Feb. 28th, 2022)
The Dungeon Phoenix: A LitRPG Level-up Adventure (The Dungeon Slayer Series Book 4) (Feb. 28th, 2022)
The Butcher's Masquerade: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 5 (Feb. 28th, 2022)
Dreadlord Wizard: A LitRPG Adventure (Badges of Dorkdom Book 1) (March 1st, 2022)
System Finale: An Apocalyptic Space Opera LitRPG (The System Apocalypse Book 12) (March 1st, 2022)
OutRanked (The Weight Of It All): A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure (March 1st, 2022)
Eternal Dominion book 4: Assertions (March 1st, 2022)
Paragon of Blood (March 1st, 2022)
Age of Iron: A LitRPG Dungeon Core Adventure (Rise of Mankind Book 3) (March 1st, 2022)
Prime Numbers: Sigma Worlds Book 6, a LitRPG series (March 2nd, 2022)
Portals of Albion: A LitRPG-Lite / Gamelit Portal Fantasy Novel (The Nameless Chronicles Book 1) (March 2nd, 2022)
Corruption and Centinels: A Monster Evolution LitRPG (Salvos, Volume 5 Part 1) (March 2nd, 2022)
Anything (Full Murderhobo Book 2) (March 2nd, 2022)
Still Left Out By the System: Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG Adventure (Lonely Apocalypse Book 2) (March 7th, 2022)
The Primal Hunter: A LitRPG Adventure (March 8th, 2022)
Virgil's Fire: A Portal Fantasy LitRPG (Dr. Druid Book 2) (March 9th, 2022)
An Impossible Task and A Vile Solution: A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure (Bone Knight Book 7) (March 11th, 2022)
Henry Morgan's Fort (A Buccaneer's Due Book #3): LitRPG Series (March 14th, 2022)
Modulate: The Cesmial Accords 2. A LitRPG Gamelit Adventure (March 15th, 2022)
Trojan Nightmare: A LitRPG Cultivation Series (Apocalypse Cultivation Book 1) (March 15th, 2022)
Broken Bones: A litrpg fantasy (New Realm Online Book 2) (March 15th, 2022)
Viridian Gate Online: Sharper's Coin (The Illusionist Book 4) (March 15th, 2022)
Towers of Acalia: The Reincarnated Core Volume VI (March 16th, 2022)
Fractured Earth: An Apocalyptic LitRPG (Viceroy's Pride Book 3)
(March 16th, 2022)
Apocalypse Knights 2: A LitRPG Fantasy (March 21st, 2022)
Lost Soul: A LitRPG Cultivation Series (The Tian Trilogy Book 1) (March 22nd, 2022)
Dokeshi March: A LitRPG Cultivation Saga (Year of the Sword Book 3) (March 23rd, 2022)
Blessed Time 3: Dakkora's Legacy: A LitRPG Adventure (March 24th, 2022)
Flex in the City: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Good Guys Book 13) (March 24th, 2022)
Vainqueur the Dragon IV: The Last Adventure (March 28th, 2022)
An Unwitting Prince: A LitRPG Adventure (A New Home Book 1) (March 29th, 2022)
Killer Play (Unfrozen Book #4): LitRPG Series (March 30th, 2022)
Fracture: An Apocalyptic LitRPG Series (Red Mage Book 3) (March 30th, 2022)
Into the Fire: A LitRPG Fantasy Cooking Adventure (Morcster Chef Book 2) (April 5th, 2022)
He Who Fights with Monsters 5: A LitRPG Adventure (April 5th, 2022)
The Legate (Project Stellar Book 6): LitRPG Series (April 11th, 2022)
Kairos: A Greek Myth & Pirate LitRPG (The Last Gods Book 1) (April 12th, 2022)
The Raid on Inferno (The Range Book #4): LitRPG Series
(April 14th, 2022)
King Minos: Master of the Minoans (A City-Building LitRPG Series) (April 15th, 2022)
The Hybrid War (Alpha Rome Book 4): LitRPG Series (April 18th, 2022)
Inferno: A LitRPG Adventure (Elemental Mastery Book 2) (April 18th, 2022)
Heroes of the Final Frontier (Book #2): The World of Waldyra LitRPG Cycle (April 20th, 2022)
The First Step: A LitRPG Cultivation Series (Cultivator vs. System Book 1) (April 26th, 2022)
Mastering Magic: An Epic LitRPG Series (Jeff the Game Master Book 3) (April 26th, 2022)
Electriterra - A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure (Epic Blade Book 2) (April 26th, 2022)
Mana Harvest 2: A Light Novel Farming LitRPG (Sword to Ploughshare Duology)
(April 30th, 2022)
Sentenced to Troll 5 (May 1st, 2022)
Wizard's Tower: A LitRPG Adventure (May 3rd, 2022)
Trickster's Tale: Is That a Lute in Your Pocket?: (A LitRPG Adventure) (May 10th, 2022)
The Crow Cycle Book #2: LitRPG Series (May 10th, 2022)
Running the Edge (Interworld Network Book #4): LitRPG Series (May 11th, 2022)
Renegade (Underdog Book #8): LitRPG Series (May 12th, 2022)
Darktown Funk: A LitRPG/GameLit Adventure (The Bad Guys Book 9) (May 19th, 2022)
Cowboy Necromancer 3: Infinite Dawn: (A Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG/GameLit Adventure) (May 20th, 2022)
Domestication: A LitRPG Adventure (Battle Mage Farmer Book 1)
(May 31st, 2022)
Alpha Physics! Book 5 - Dungeon: A Post Apocalypse Progression Fantasy (May 31st, 2022)
Defiance of the Fall 5: A LitRPG Adventure (May 31st, 2022)
Onto New Releases and Reviews
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New Releases and Reviews
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Black Centurion: A LitRPG Novel
A new novel from the bestselling Russian LitRPG author of Small Unit Tactics!
Sometimes, life can be cruel and unpredictable, snatching away all you hold dear in an instant. When you’re betrayed by the one person you love most, the actions you commit in the heat of the moment may derail the rest of your life. You can’t undo what’s been done, and now an incorruptible AI keeps thwarting your attempts to find the truth. Will you be able to persuade it?
This is the opportunity given by an RPG game that works like an international arbitration court - an impartial and error-free machine. For a top-ranked player who has already made millions in the game, this task sounds like child’s play. But things aren’t as simple as they seem, and this game is totally unlike any other!
Our hero will have to save a life, survive, and - most importantly - prove to an AI that he’s a good guy and deserves to have the one thing he wants more than anything else on Earth!
My Opinion: 445 pages, $3.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
*Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy for review. I purchased a copy when it became available.
*An ok trip into a Roman RPG world.
An ok trip into a Roman RPG world. The real world setup where the main character (MC) means to change his personality and get a chance to get visitation rights is written well but doesn’t feel connected to the in-game story until the 33% when the MC ends up adopting 9 NPC kids.
Once in the game world the story is pretty slice of life with the MC appreciating how realistic the NPCs are and working to help the group that he meets. There are regular quests, fights, Roman themed world building, and some community building.
On the game mechanic side of things, it's ok. There are regular notifications, quests, character sheets, and all the normal stuff. The only thing that is slightly different is that the MC gets an updated RPG backstory for his game character as bits and pieces are revealed.
Overall, it's a good story once the MC gets out into the world and starts to build the Roman world. The regular action/adventure keeps the story moving. It tries to inject some heart with the setup but that doesn’t transfer into the game story well. The world building was done better with lots of little details about being a centurion, and Roman customs.
Score: 7.3 out of 10
Black Centurion: A LitRPG Novel
Eternal Dominion Book 2: Traction
Xeal and friends continue their journey to the top of Eternal Dominion. However, as Xeal searches out potential leaders for his guild and bolsters its ranks others are moving as well. Will he and his guild weather the storm or will they lose their footing and be stopped before they can even really begin.
Yes I begin to introduce romantic complications in this book, yes Alex’s/Xeal’s relations will become more complex and integral to the plot of this series as it goes on. No I will not be writing any smut scenes, I will setup things and skip all the details, my 73 year old mother reads these and yeah enough said. I hope you all understand that for Alex/Xeal having a meaningful relationship was something that escaped him in his first life and this time around he is going to try to make it work sometimes a bit to hard.
My Opinion: 200 pages, $4.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
**a good story, though I had enjoyed it less than book 1
The 2nd book in the series continues the regressor storyline with the main character (MC) using his knowledge of the MMO that is sweeping the world to his guilds advantage. This time the big conflict is a raid by an opposing guild and how the MC uses not only knowledge of game secrets and his decades of experience as a guild leader, but also his knowledge of the habits, personalities, and weaknesses of the opposing guild leader. To a degree, things go a little too well for the MC as there seems to be no real challenges for him in this entry of the story.
On the game mechanic side of things, the RPG progression is definitely lessened here. There’s still leveling, but it’s summarized as the focus of the story is on raising guild member levels and not on the MCs individual progression anymore. There’s also more wand wavy tricks that the MC uses that feel a little less earned as they just show up in the story without much setup.
A small complaint, the middle of the story makes a jarring turn into harem territory with the MC suddenly taking on two girlfriends. I don’t have a big issue with romantic relationships in a story, but this one felt like it progressed in an instant without any real setup. It almost felt like it existed to check a box. Thankfully, the entire scene doesn’t take up more than 10% of the story.
Overall, a good story, though I had enjoyed it less than book 1.
Score: 7.4 out of 10
Eternal Dominion Book 2: Traction
Tower Climber Terry: A LitRPG Series
**A LitRPG tower climber adventure**
In the heart of the world there’s a tower that shouldn’t exist. One that has torn the fabric of reality and brought forth hordes of monsters thirsty for blood. A tower filled with loot, but one that’s spreading its corrupted roots across the land and showing no signs of stopping.
Enter Terry Byrne.
He spends his days working in a bar and the rest of the time he’s looking out for his little brother. He also scored highly on the aptitude tests for a stat rune, which would let him level up and earn abilities and choose a class.
But it comes with a price he’s never been willing to pay.
One day, though, he does something that leaves him no choice. On the run from the law, there’s only one job open to Terry now.
That job is called a tower climber.
In Tower Climber Terry you'll read about leveling up and rare abilities and an experience-based power progression.
My Opinion: 269 pages, $2.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
A directionless story set in a fantasy RPG world where the MC and his brother decide to try their hand adventuring in a multileveled monster filled tower. It's a setting that allows for some fine fights, short interactions, ok world building, but suffers from some issues that made the story not work for me.
Issues:
1) The dialogue of the MCs were a little too gamer. What I mean is that the characters are overly concerned with their builds, they use lots of RPG language, and consider how best to develop their stats based on what they do. Normally I like this, but in this story it felt a bit off considering both brothers just grew up in this medieval fantasy world and aren’t transported from our world or anything. They are also uneducated and had been doing low paying jobs before going on the run. It just didn’t mesh with the fantasy setting.
2) There’s no direction to the story. It’s not really necessary for a slice of life story, which this ultimately is. But it also meant that there didn’t feel like a point to the story and what the characters did weren’t particularly exciting aside from the semi regular fights. This shifts a little about 50% into the story when the MCs get a quest, but it serves as little more than an excuse to explore the tower.
3) The end was frustrating. The quest essentially resolves itself with no real crescendo in the story and almost with happenstance. Additionally, the single bad guy from the start of the story reappears but there’s no resolution with him.
The game mechanics are fine. After getting an artificial stat device, the characters got access to an RPG interface. There were plenty of notifications, ability and stat descriptions. Stat XP increases through using them with special abilities granted when the stats leveled. But honestly, I wasn’t really invested in the RPG progression since I never understood what was motivating the characters to want to improve, fight, or adventure.
Overall, it's not a badly written story but it wasn’t engaging, the first half is kinda forgettable, and the end was a little frustrating at how it did resolve the one plot quest and bad guy.
Score: 6 out of 10
Tower Climber Terry: A LitRPG Series
Brambles and Thorns (The Infinite World Book 4)
Life was simpler when someone was around to tell him what to do. With a band of Adventurers looking to him for direction, whether he likes it or not, Trent Embra needed to figure out how to lead them.
But how was he supposed to lead when there were so many things Trent hadn’t figured out for himself?
An unidentifiable seed in his Storage, and whispers in his head, Trent points his team west towards the wilds. It was as good a direction as any. Maybe in uncivilized lands, Trent would learn what it meant to be an Adventurer and sort through what mattered most.
My Opinion: 820 pages, $3.99, Available On Kindle Unlimited
A good story that mostly follows Trent as he leads his group through unfamiliar locations and trials. There’s a new personal training ground that I thought added a little spice as it allowed the MC to practice skills and was a nice way to break up the travel stuff.
Overall, a good slice of life serial story.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
Brambles and Thorns (The Infinite World Book 4)
Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation (Webcomic)
A scout in the infamous Demon Cult, Seolhwi is on a routine patrol when his squad unexpectedly encounters a fearsome master of the Mount Hua Sect, the sworn enemies of the Demon Cult. Without warning, the Mount Hua Cult master slaughters the entire squad. As Seolhwi lies dying, lamenting years of service to the cult with nothing to show for it, he is suddenly faced with a video game prompt, asking if he would like to start again. Given the opportunity to start over and make different choices, Seolhwi vows to survive and become stronger so he can rise to the top of the Demon Cult.
My Opinion: Unofficial 24 ch, Official translation 9 ch, FREE, Official publisher - Webtoons
This is an interesting mix of Save Point regression and cultivation fantasy world. The main character (MC) is killed in the opening chapter but before he expires he sees a game-like notification that asks if he wants to Resume, Load Save, or Restart. He chooses restarts and finds himself back at the start of the day, before he was sent on the mission for the Demonic Faction that ended in his death. From there it's a story that has the MC trying to figure out how to use this strange system to survive and grow more powerful. He goes through several situations where he has to restart again and again making different decisions that the system forces on him and figuring out the rules for his advantage. The MC isn’t a gamer, he’s grown up in this fantasy cultivation world so it does take some effort to figure the system out.
The game mechanics involve mild RPG elements. There are no levels, but there are status pages with character’s names, HP, Internal Energy, and other faction details. Additionally there are notifications, mandatory quests with rewards, an inventory system, and mandatory dialogue trees that the MC has to use that force him down particular paths. He also gets to freeze time when he fights and finds an enemy’s weak spot or the enemy finds his. It’s an odd mechanic that sometimes slows the action to a crawl but allows for some interesting uses of the system. The last interesting mechanic is the respawn/reload/restart system. The MC has limited extra lives to plan out his future and only gets more when he kills particularly powerful characters. It adds an interesting element of risk with the MC having to choose between trying to get an extra life without dying himself.
Overall, it's an entertaining read. Though the action is slow sometimes, it is fairly regular. The real draw is seeing how the MC uses future knowledge and the system to survive and grow in power.
Score: 7.3 out of 10
Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation
https://www.webtoons.com/en/action/murim-rpg-simulation/list?title_no=3779
https://flamescans.org/series/heavenly-demon-cultivation-simulation/
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