Have you had the chance to read "Weird Live Broadcast"? The premise of this novel strikes a remarkable resemblance, if not an outright duplication, of that particular work. If you're familiar with it, I wonder if you found the setting captivating? The intense, almost maddening challenges presented were exhilarating, weren’t they? Each rule was logically structured, contributing to a cohesive narrative that offered immense satisfaction as they all fit together like pieces of a larger puzzle. I thoroughly enjoyed how the protagonist gradually unravelled the complete story in every unique scenario.
However, what we have here is a rather disheartening inferior version of that captivating experience. Do the rules really need to make sense? Must there always be a solid justification for their existence? Is it truly necessary for every logical framework and background to hold up under scrutiny? Does the scaling of difficulty need to be coherent and consistently escalate to amplify the sense of peril? The answer, as presented by this novel, appears to be a resounding no! What we seem to be left with is a wish fulfillment fantasy draped in an overabundance of S-class classifications, drenched in eye-watering nationalism, a hint of blatant racism, and an indulgence in nonsensical storytelling.
I found myself significantly disappointed by this novel, especially after immersing myself in other titles such as "I Can See the Fake Rules of Ghost Stories" and "Urban Legend Demolition Office." I've developed a keen appreciation for narratives that embrace 'rule-playing games,' particularly those that involve deceptive rules, exploit loopholes, and compel deductive reasoning—each rule should be anchored in purpose. Unfortunately, this story seems like an affront to that concept. The arbitrary nature of certain actions leading to abrupt game-overs feels unjustified, and the world-building in each instance is severely lacking.
Moreover, the narrative suffers from a glaring absence of convincing character development. In the very first chapter, we meet our protagonist, Chi Mu, who acquires access to a System designed to flag a fake rule once per set. Strangely, he fails to question this invaluable tool or even attempt to experiment with its capabilities. Four instances in, and I still find myself in the dark regarding the System, the overarching world, or anything substantial for that matter. Chi Mu merely serves as a device to propel the plot forward, which is a disservice to the character. The supporting cast fares no better; they are caricatured into a spectrum of racist clichés, disposable archetypes—utterly vacuous, cruel, and bland.
On a slightly more positive note, I must commend the translation; it is well-executed, and there is a semblance of creativity in the instance settings that stand out. The rapid pacing introduces a wealth of different scenarios in a limited number of chapters, and there’s a refreshing absence of romantic subplots that could detract from the atmospheric tension of this horror-themed narrative. Sadly, this is where my admiration for the work largely ends. In summary, this novel falls short in many respects, failing to capture the essence of what makes rule-based games so engaging and enjoyable.
