This became more of a rant so I apologize for the lack of bias and how long it got.
TL;DR--generic VRMMO, but with outlandish plot devices and interactions that need to be fleshed out/shows the author needs more experience. The main plot device does not seem to have been thought though very well.
Style and world building - 7/10
Common sense - 2/10
The world building and overall system is good. Generic, but balanced with only some questionable game mechanics on things like jobs and economy. The author's writing style and flow is also very smooth. But the plot leaves much to be desired.
For me there are two main issues. The first being the main force driving the plot. For all intents and purposes this it is a cop out. It fixes many of the issues the MC struggles with straight forwardly with little to no downside. The author then uses this to create what seems to be a long lasting plot point. However, to a normal person, this would never have been in issue or at least not as dramatic as seen here.
This also gets into the next problem. The author seems have no understanding of human interactions. If there is an obvious reaction and plot twist, the author finds a way to make a jump to a different train of thought that is akin to the difference in walking and teleportation. The characters are superficially set up to have uniqueness and personality, but that changes on a dime to fit the plot.
This next part contains MINOR SPOILERS!
As an example to what I just said. A character hides their identity by covering up their characteristics, until the MC finds out who they are. After that, this person walks around without a care in the world, simply so the author can add eye-candy into the story.
As for the theory of the escapism, it would make sense if the MC wasn't obviously coherent on how he plans out his future or if he actually showed trauma. Instead the MC brushes everything off as if it was an everyday occurrence and immediately goes back to everyday life.
He shows prowess in decision making and planning, but not even the slightest ability to empathize with one specific character. The author is obviously trying to set up for a cliche meeting where the MC reveals himself to shock everyone, but as stated earlier, the way the author sets that up leave much to be desired as he takes the most outrageous route.
STOP!!!
This next part contains MAJOR SPOILERS and should not be read unless you would like the know the specifics of what was previously stated without reading the novel.
The plot point that causes the MC to become OP: fixes a long term disability, allows him to grind longer in the game than others, givens him a unique class, and is essentially stated to be outlandish healing factor in a normal world. The downside: he has to sunbathe. Something that would have major real world changing consequences is given only to the MC and brushed over (even though scientists got a hold of it, they do not seem interested in the potential cure all it has for medicinal purposes).
The intent of the author is that the MC is (for all intents and purposes) a zombie. But this is not explained well and reads more like the MC's philosophical pondering before finding out he is fine. It took me several tries to understand what the author was trying convey as they obviously do not know much about biology or the terms used (not meaning to personally attack them on lack of knowledge).
The "virus" is explained to be due simply from dead bodies and is "able to continuously revive dead cells." But "Its propagation speed is faster than the life cycle of your cells. It had gone overboard and sped up your body’s metabolism." And thus is causing livor mortis. Which does not make sense, as the dead bodies he was buried with should also be alive and a direct contradiction as this does not explain why something that revives dead cells is killing him. Basic biology dictates -- cell cycle includes cell splitting to reproduce. Speeding this up will not cause his body to die (perhaps cancer). So very little thinking went into this plot point which is the the backbone of the whole novel. (But it is fiction so screw science.)
(I can only hope there is a semi-reasonable explanation for the other player the game classified as an undead.)
The cause of this plot device comes from an assassination attempt gone wrong. The target of the assassination is someone close to the MC, but afterwards the MC does not check in with the person to let them know he is ok or ask if they are. Similarly, he doesn't seem worried that there was an attempt on their life, but instead cuts off all ties. Nor is the assassination furthered expanded on or explained.
And the MC's thought process of cutting off ties seems to stem from embarrassment and feelings of incompetence. But within 10 chapters, the author shows major hints towards the disability that causes these feeling to be in progress of being completely cured, while giving the MC absolute confidence and unrivaled skill.
(Blatant bias and venting of frustration)
And when the MC finally reunites with old friends (who currently assume he is dead), I would not be surprised if they forgive him and congratulate him on becoming the best player.
This became more of a rant so I apologize for the lack of bias and how long it got.
TL;DR--generic VRMMO, but with outlandish plot devices and interactions that need to be fleshed out/shows the author needs more experience. The main plot device does not seem to have been thought though very well.
Style and world building - 7/10
Common sense - 2/10
The world building and overall system is good. Generic, but balanced with only some questionable game mechanics on things like jobs and economy. The author's writing style and flow is also very smooth. But the plot leaves much to be desired.
For me there are two main issues. The first being the main force driving the plot. For all intents and purposes this it is a cop out. It fixes many of the issues the MC struggles with straight forwardly with little to no downside. The author then uses this to create what seems to be a long lasting plot point. However, to a normal person, this would never have been in issue or at least not as dramatic as seen here.
This also gets into the next problem. The author seems have no understanding of human interactions. If there is an obvious reaction and plot twist, the author finds a way to make a jump to a different train of thought that is akin to the difference in walking and teleportation. The characters are superficially set up to have uniqueness and personality, but that changes on a dime to fit the plot.
This next part contains MINOR SPOILERS!
As an example to what I just said. A character hides their identity by covering up their characteristics, until the MC finds out who they are. After that, this person walks around without a care in the world, simply so the author can add eye-candy into the story.
As for the theory of the escapism, it would make sense if the MC wasn't obviously coherent on how he plans out his future or if he actually showed trauma. Instead the MC brushes everything off as if it was an everyday occurrence and immediately goes back to everyday life.
He shows prowess in decision making and planning, but not even the slightest ability to empathize with one specific character. The author is obviously trying to set up for a cliche meeting where the MC reveals himself to shock everyone, but as stated earlier, the way the author sets that up leave much to be desired as he takes the most outrageous route.
STOP!!!
This next part contains MAJOR SPOILERS and should not be read unless you would like the know the specifics of what was previously stated without reading the novel.
The plot point that causes the MC to become OP: fixes a long term disability, allows him to grind longer in the game than others, givens him a unique class, and is essentially stated to be outlandish healing factor in a normal world. The downside: he has to sunbathe. Something that would have major real world changing consequences is given only to the MC and brushed over (even though scientists got a hold of it, they do not seem interested in the potential cure all it has for medicinal purposes).
The intent of the author is that the MC is (for all intents and purposes) a zombie. But this is not explained well and reads more like the MC's philosophical pondering before finding out he is fine. It took me several tries to understand what the author was trying convey as they obviously do not know much about biology or the terms used (not meaning to personally attack them on lack of knowledge).
The "virus" is explained to be due simply from dead bodies and is "able to continuously revive dead cells." But "Its propagation speed is faster than the life cycle of your cells. It had gone overboard and sped up your body’s metabolism." And thus is causing livor mortis. Which does not make sense, as the dead bodies he was buried with should also be alive and a direct contradiction as this does not explain why something that revives dead cells is killing him. Basic biology dictates -- cell cycle includes cell splitting to reproduce. Speeding this up will not cause his body to die (perhaps cancer). So very little thinking went into this plot point which is the the backbone of the whole novel. (But it is fiction so screw science.)
(I can only hope there is a semi-reasonable explanation for the other player the game classified as an undead.)
The cause of this plot device comes from an assassination attempt gone wrong. The target of the assassination is someone close to the MC, but afterwards the MC does not check in with the person to let them know he is ok or ask if they are. Similarly, he doesn't seem worried that there was an attempt on their life, but instead cuts off all ties. Nor is the assassination furthered expanded on or explained.
And the MC's thought process of cutting off ties seems to stem from embarrassment and feelings of incompetence. But within 10 chapters, the author shows major hints towards the disability that causes these feeling to be in progress of being completely cured, while giving the MC absolute confidence and unrivaled skill.
(Blatant bias and venting of frustration)
And when the MC finally reunites with old friends (who currently assume he is dead), I would not be surprised if they forgive him and congratulate him on becoming the best player.
