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mrmariokartguy here. I wonder why I always type out the citizen tag instead of clicking the button below?
But I digress! I'm currently sitting here, monitoring e-sim battles (lol), and reading at the same time! Now, what the hell can the super lazy me be reading? Of course it's a translated Japanese book! Today, I'm reading up on Sword Art Online Progressive (I used the button below this time).
I'm currently reading up on the second volume right now. I only recently got it from the mail and been too busy reading other things (get to that at a later time).
Now, how is Sword Art Online Progressive?
It's different from the Sword Art Online we loved to watch on the TV. This bookis better! Progressive starts its story from the first floor, and makes it way up each floor.
Every. Single. One.
It's the dream that Aincrad lovers have been waiting for. This book documents all floors of Aincrad up until the crew's liberation from the game. As expected, the pace is really slow. But in exchange, it gets really in depth about the game mechanics and the type of monsters and quests that each floor has. You, as the reader, get to develop a feel for each and every floor our main hero Kirito ventures through. In addition, Asuna has a personality that stands out much more than it does in other forms of media.
(NB: If you are itching for spoilers go to the SAO wiki)
The first volume covers the first and the second floors. It's marketed as a light novel, but there is nothing 'light' about the first volume. It is 358 pages long, significantly longer than any other light novel. There are only two chapters though. First chapter is already adapted into anime form. "Aria on a Starless Night" is partially covered in the first few episodes of the anime, detailing the struggles of the first floor. I won't go into that much detail about it. The second chapter, "Rondo for a Fragile Blade", is centered on the second floor. As the word 'blade' implies, a sword is involved in this story. Now, what could possibly happen between a blacksmith, some money, and a few swords? Read it to find out!
The second volume is all about the third floor. I'm not done with it yet, though. Didn't I say that at the start? This volume is a bit shorter at 251 pages, but all these pages are dedicated to a single floor. The main objective of this volume, in addition to (obviously) clearing the floor, is a quest. See the girl on the cover? She's a dark elf, who is a NPC who gives out this mission. Of course, she's a combatant as well and joins the harem *cough*.... I meant party. I really did mean to say party! If there are elves on this floor, it's obvious that the setting of this floor is an elf forest. Yaaaaaay for elf girls \o/. I really can't tell you too much since I haven't read it completely yet, but you know where to find spoilers.
Overall, this series is great. For all you incest haters (boo! ), this version of SAO just might be for you. Completely focusing on the "trapped in a game" portion of the series, you get to immerse in the majestic steel castle that the anime was nowhere close to fully portraying.
If you are good at English, you are in luck! This book is sold on Amazon! I encourage you to buy it to get a good read, support the author, and support the translations.
Sword Art Online Progressive 1: http://www.amazon.com/Sword-Art-Online-Progressive-Vol/dp/0316259365 (USD$9.14)
Sword Art Online Progressive 2: http://www.amazon.com/Sword-Art-Online-Progressive-2/dp/0316342173 (USD$10.16)
This is
mrmariokartguy (copypasted from above), have a nice day, and see you next time!
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mrmariokartguy is a regular on the Crunchyroll forums. You can find him here .
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About the game:
USA as a world power? In E-Sim it is possible!
In E-Sim we have a huge, living world, which is a mirror copy of the Earth. Well, maybe not completely mirrored, because the balance of power in this virtual world looks a bit different than in real life. In E-Sim, USA does not have to be a world superpower, It can be efficiently managed as a much smaller country that has entrepreneurial citizens that support it's foundation. Everything depends on the players themselves and how they decide to shape the political map of the game.
Work for the good of your country and see it rise to an empire.
Activities in this game are divided into several modules. First is the economy as a citizen in a country of your choice you must work to earn money, which you will get to spend for example, on food or purchase of weapons which are critical for your progress as a fighter. You will work in either private companies which are owned by players or government companies which are owned by the state. After progressing in the game you will finally get the opportunity to set up your own business and hire other players. If it prospers, we can even change it into a joint-stock company and enter the stock market and get even more money in this way.
In E-Sim, international wars are nothing out of the ordinary.
Become an influential politician.
The second module is a politics. Just like in real life politics in E-Sim are an extremely powerful tool that can be used for your own purposes. From time to time there are elections in the game in which you will not only vote, but also have the ability to run for the head of the party you're in. You can also apply for congress, where once elected you will be given the right to vote on laws proposed by your fellow congress members or your president and propose laws yourself. Voting on laws is important for your country as it can shape the lives of those around you. You can also try to become the head of a given party, and even take part in presidential elections and decide on the shape of the foreign policy of a given state (for example, who to declare war on). Career in politics is obviously not easy and in order to succeed in it, you have to have a good plan and compete for the votes of voters.
You can go bankrupt or become a rich man while playing the stock market.
The international war.
The last and probably the most important module is military. In E-Sim, countries are constantly fighting each other for control over territories which in return grant them access to more valuable raw materials. For this purpose, they form alliances, they fight international wars, but they also have to deal with, for example, uprisings in conquered countries or civil wars, which may explode on their territory. You can also take part in these clashes, although you are also given the opportunity to lead a life as a pacifist who focuses on other activities in the game (for example, running a successful newspaper or selling products).
At the auction you can sell or buy your dream inventory.
E-Sim is a unique browser game. It's creators ensured realistic representation of the mechanisms present in the real world and gave all power to the players who shape the image of the virtual Earth according to their own. So come and join them and help your country achieve its full potential.
Invest, produce and sell - be an entrepreneur in E-Sim.
Take part in numerous events for the E-Sim community.
