LitRPG Podcast 177 - Awaken Online: Unity, Lord of Creation, The Crafter, Kingdom Come
LitRPG Podcast 177 - Awaken Online: Unity, Lord of Creation, The Crafter, Kingdom Come
June 28th, 2019
Hello everyone, welcome to episode 177 of the LitRPG podcast. For the full show notes visit us at: https://litrpgpodcast.com/litrpg-podcast-177
I’m Ramon Mejia. I’m here to bring you the latest LitRPG news, reviews, and author interviews. I have 5 new reviews just for you.
New Releases and Reviews:
Awaken Online: Unity (09:14)
A good action side story starring Frank
Score: 7.6 out of 10
Star Force: LITrpg (Star Force Universe Book 64) (11:48)
Not LitRPG, feels like a weird marketing scheme
Score: 4 out of 10
Lord of Creation (The Universal Struggle Book 1) (13:29)
Decent RPG stuff, but just a meh story where a bunch of stuff happens.
Score:5 out of 10
The Crafter (Book 1): Legacy (17:12)
Not much crafting, but a great story
Score: 8 out of 10
Kingdom Come: A LitRPG Dragonrider Adventure (The Archemi Online Chronicles Book 3) (26:10)
A good story for fans of the series
Score: 7.5 out of 10
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LitRPG News
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In personal news, I finally finished writing and editing the 2nd book in the Project Alpha series. I think it’s a really good story that expands on the real life RPG setting established in the 1st book. Good action filled dungeon dives with a variety of themes, neat RPG powers, and some character development thanks to my editors.
I’m trying a pre-order this time with a release date of July 1st, so not that far, but I wanted to see if there’s a difference. I’m also running a promotional sale for book 1 in the series starting today 6/27 till 7/1 where book 1 will be FREE
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Also on July 1st, 4pm PST. I’ll also be doing a Live Stream on the R.A. Mejia author Facebook page and giving away audiobook codes for Project Alpha Book 1, and doing a Q&A.
Project Alpha: Book 2 (Out on July 1st, 2019)
Project Alpha: Book 1 (FREE till July 1st, 2019)
https://www.facebook.com/RAMejiaAuthor/
Lavelle at LitRPG Re-Roll has a new review video, this time of Path of the Necromancer by Deck Davis.
Out Now!
Shyft - Book 2 - Stealthcaster: (A LitRPG Adventure)
The Crafter's Dungeon: A Dungeon Core Novel (Dungeon Crafting Book 1)
Eldritch Night: A Post-Apocalyptic Gamelit Adventure (The Dark Hierophant Saga Book 1)
FUTURE MAGE: A Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG Series
Merchant of Death: A LitRPG Adventure Series (Eternal War Online Book 1)
Collecting The Goddess: A LitRPG Adventure (Chronicles Of KieraFreya Book 1)
New LitRPG Audiobooks
Star Exile: Singularity: A Scifi LitRPG Adventure
Level Up: The Knockout, Book 1
Alpha Test - Angromoria, Book 1
Dungeon World 2: A Dungeon Core Experience
Darkhand - Alpha World, Book 7
Upcoming LitRPG:
Eight-Bit Bastards: Level Two (June 28th, 2019)
Ball of Light - Evolution (June 2019)
Project Alpha: Book 2 (July 1st, 2019)
Nora Hazard Book 3 - Accounts Payable (July 2nd, 2019)
Beast Queen: A LitRPG/GameLit Action Adventure (Monster Slayer Online Book 2) (July 15th, 2019)
*Sequel to the Goblin King*
The Time Master (Interworld Network Book I): LitRPG Series (July 18th, 2019)
Cannibal. Demon of the Mind. A Post-Apocalyptic Survival LitRPG Series (July 23rd, 2019)
Quest for Vengeance: A LitRPG Saga (Hero Online Book 1) (July 24th, 2019)
Sky Realms Online: Grayhold: A LitRPG Adventure
(July 30th, 2019)
Imprisoned Online: Gaming the System (A LitRPG Adventure Book 1) (July 31st, 2109)
Hero GO! (Champion is Playing Book #3) LitRPG Series (Aug. 5th, 2019)
Invasion, book 1: A Second Chance (Aug. 8th, 2019)
Dungeons of the Crooked Mountains (Underdog Book 1): LitRPG Series (Aug. 12th, 2019)
Scamps & Scoundrels: A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure (The Bad Guys Book 1) (Aug. 15th, 2019)
Zones of Alacria: The Dragon Gate: Epic GameLit / LitRPG (The Experimental Alchemist Book 1) (Aug. 31st, 2019)
First Song 2 (Aug 2019)
A Game of Villains (World of Karik Book #1) Dystopian LitRPG Series (Sept. 2nd, 2019)
Blood of Fate (World 99 Book #1): LitRPG Wuxia Series (Sept. 9th, 2019)
Onto New Releases and Reviews
(Play Music 3)
New Releases and Reviews
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Awaken Online: Unity
A side quest adventure in the best selling world of Awaken Online!
In the aftermath of Thorn's attack on the Twilight Throne, Frank is in an awkward position. Jason and Riley have outpaced him and everyone is hard at work rebuilding the Twilight Throne, establishing new towns, and trying to get their fledgling manufacturing operation off the ground. Everyone except Frank - who finds himself with no immediate task or goal.
So Frank decides to strike off on his own. He sets his eyes on the north, heading toward the snow-capped mountains that loom over the undead kingdom's border in the hope of improving his shapeshifting abilities.
He soon stumbles into an unexpected adventure. A journey that may unearth the secrets behind his class and finally force him to reach his true potential.
My Opinion: 351 pages, $3.99, Available on Kindle Unlimited
This is a side quest story for Frank, who you may or may not remember from the main Awaken Online (AO) team. I think it does a good job of highlighting the fact that Frank has had a lackluster storyline in the main series, but really comes into his own in this side story. The story follows the AO format of good early character development, setup of problems, and a very actiony last 30% where it is all resolved in entertaining ways. Of the AO side stories out for the series, this is definitely one of my favorites so far.
Score: 7.6 out of 10
Star Force: LITrpg (Star Force Universe Book 64)
With the problem of the Vargemma being too powerful to dominate, or trust, Cal-com devises an ingenious testing mechanism to weed out those volunteers who are unworthy. A mechanism known as LITrpg.
My Opinion: 90 pages, $2.99, Available on Kindle Unlimited
Absolutely not LitRPG. This feels like a weird marketing scam. The author’s other novels in the Star Force series seem to have fans, but I’m not sure why he’d label this one as LitRPG if there’s no RPG in any way shape or form.
Score: 4 out of 10
Star Force: LITrpg (Star Force Universe Book 64)
Lord of Creation (The Universal Struggle Book 1)
When the thrilling lands of RPGs come to life for Donovan; monsters, dungeons, experience points and leveling up, he is amazed. Never in his life could he have imagined the mysterious and exciting world that awaited him. After conquering a dungeon to rule for himself though, things get real. Stronger and stronger enemies are arising, and a messenger from the underworld brings a horrifying notice. He and his dungeon are to be brought to the underworld, where even his astonishing level is on the bottom of the totem pole.
Then, just as soon as he thinks everything is going well (or at least as well as can be for somebody living in the underworld), he loses it all. But, from the ashes, a new power burns through him. A power only the most powerful titans have even dreamed of wielding. The power of Creation. But alas, nothing is as it seems anymore. All alone in the darkest place imaginable, can he survive?
My Opinion: 317 pages, $2.99, Available on Kindle Unlimited
Overall, this is kind of a meh story. It feels like a serial story that was written without purpose. A bunch of stuff just happens. Starts with an XP grind, then some dungeon master stuff, then hell, and a hard reset, then some minor kingdom building, eventually towards the end there's an attempt a story with a villain but by then I didn't really care. Most of the novel is just stuff happening. I was never given a reason to care about the MC. The game mechanic varied sometimes being very detailed but other times intentionally vague to justify some story event.
The novel isn't bad, it is just meh without a story to follow.
Score:5 out of 10
Lord of Creation (The Universal Struggle Book 1)
The Crafter (Book 1): Legacy
As a ten year old orphan, all Wick ever wanted was money, power, and well, what else was there? Enough is never enough. His father's death left him only with a glass amulet, his trusty spade, and two level one skills. Six months in the backwater city of Outlast, Wick has finally decided to make his move for a brighter future. It may cost him the beating of his life, but he lives by the Sprawler's Code: The strong live long, but the bold get the gold.
Follow Wick on the beginning of his new life as he explores new powers and manipulate anyone foolish enough to get in his way.
Story Does Contain: Male Lead, Fast Pace, Slightly Overpowered Protagonist, Greedy Protagonist, Right of Passage, Multiple Magic Systems, Mystery
Story Does NOT Contain: Harem, Ultraviolence, Horror, Mopey Protagonist
My Opinion: 262 pages, $5.99, Available on Kindle Unlimited
Despite some small issues, the story is great. I mean I liked it so much, not only did I stay up till 2 am to finish it, but after I just wanted to start it all over again.
The couple of issues mentioned. I'll admit I was a bit disappointed there wasn't more crafting in this novel. There are also many small technical writing errors including: missing words, missing letters in words, about 1 small error every three paragraphs. The author says that the fully edited version should be updated by July but that he wanted to get this out for fans that were excited to read the finished novel.
Structurally it reminds me of The Name of The Wind with a dual narrative of future MC (main character) and past MC. Future MC is totally badass but doesn’t take away any of the tension from past MC storyline. Past MC story is part coming of age, but also a bit OP story establishing the world, and the journey of how he eventually becomes badass.The world building is simply great and the character development is just top notch. There is not much action or fighting overall, but there is still some great storytelling.
On the game mechanic side, things are light. The story doesn't involve VR or even being transported to a game world. The MC has grown up in a world where magic has been streamlined and everyone sees notifications specifically for their skills. People have to gather mana or some other source of energy to unlock skill slots and upgrade them. Skills can be found in dungeons or upgraded and then sold at a marketplace. While skills have ranks, people don't. So in that way, the story leans a bit more towards fantasy. But there is still clear power progression and the mechanics there are culturally important and matter to the story. It's just not super crunchy.
Overall, this is just a great story. Honestly, I didn't mind that it wasn't crunchy LitRPG. The world building and just stellar characters kept me entertained. Even days later, I'm thinking about the cool stuff the author could do with the story and the MCs powers. Though if you're someone that gets bothered by technical writing errors you might want to wait till July when the fully edited version is updated.
Score: 8 out of 10
Kingdom Come: A LitRPG Dragonrider Adventure (The Archemi Online Chronicles Book 3)
As reward for stopping a serial killer and restoring the Kingdom of Vlachia to its rightful ruler, Dragozin Hector and his queen dragon, Karalti, have earned a noble title, a castle, and land of their own.
There’s only one problem – it’s occupied. By a freaking elder vampire.
Not only has the vampire unleashed the blight of undeath across the land, but Hector's nemesis is on the warpath. His mission? To steal Karalti, kill a god, and use their combined power to become the Insane God-Emperor of Archemi.
Hector never wanted to go back to war, not even in a video game. But now, he must fight to claim his territory from Ol’ Fangface before everything is taken from him - his dragon, his territory, and the woman he loves.
My Opinion: 738 pages, $4.99, Available on Kindle Unlimited
A good continuation of the series. As the series has progressed, the author has expanded the world building, action, and adventure while maintaining the RPG progression readers expect. There’s an expansion in that area with some RTS unit management mechanics that I thought was neat. I also thought the vampire twist thing was neat too, though I’m not sure where that is going to come into the next book storyline.
Be aware, there is some sexual content here. It's very skippable though if that bothers you.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
Kingdom Come: A LitRPG Dragonrider Adventure (The Archemi Online Chronicles Book 3)
That’s it everyone!
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(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/