Perhaps not the most outstanding amongst virtual reality MMO series, but it's a solid one. But amongst these kinds of MMORPG stories, what stands out the most in this novel is the treatment of the side characters. They actually exist as more than just tools to make up numbers - their actions are important, they get high-level items and powerups, and they make new friends amongst each other and have actual personalities. While the MC and ML still stand out as being exceptional, other characters are shown to be valuable teammates with their own specialties and strengths, and while they can provide comedic relief they also aren't s*upid.
The ML isn't the type to be cold to everyone and not actually be friends with anyone in their group but the MC, either. He and side characters interact with each other outside of situations to do with the MC, and in fact, it's the ML's friend group the MC joins rather than the group forming around the MC. This, coupled with the side characters actually mattering, means the group dynamic is very different compared to other similar series. MC and ML's romance is more of a sub-plot, but while not being especially exciting, it works out in a different way than most BL romances do and without being overly drawn-out. While the plot of the novel isn't anything special, the characterization
is; the novel is worth a try for that alone.
The novel jumps right into the game without explaining the "real world" setting or the protagonist's past much. It takes a hot minute for anything significant in the real world to be shown, but it
is eventually elaborated on. In general, this story starts out kind of slow and exponsition-y but gets better as time goes on. If you're bored but still within the first 20 chapters, give it a little more time before you decide to drop it.
Edit: Now that I've completed the novel, though I haven't read the extras:
Spoiler
The ending felt, not rushed but like, cut off? like the story was forced to wrap up quickly? Like the novel's plot and pacing was all planned out before, but the author wanted to stop writing for some reason so the last 10 chapters are dedicated to giving the story an ending. The ending itself isn't bad, but there are many threads left hanging... For instance, the identities of the makers of the game and their motives for rewarding people with Earth food, and how they could accomplish that remains a mystery. Maybe this is explained in one of the extra chapters? This novel could have been another 20+ chapters longer, if not like 50 chapters longer. Again, there is an ending, and the ending isn't even bad - the story just feels incomplete is all.
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