Vermillion Novel Review

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By amagi chiaki, niito tadano, 只野新人, 甘木智彬

4.5

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japaneseWeb Novel

Genres

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action adventure fantasy romance seinen

Chapters

126 chapters

Started

2013

Description

Western VRMMO【DEMONDAL】was known for its extremely harsh game system. To begin with, there were no levels. There were no skills. There were no guilds. There was no inventory. There were no convenient system messages or maps of any kind either. It was so needlessly realistic that it was already basically a VR life simulator. As for anything game-like, it was basically limited to weapon masteries; a proficiency level that you got from using your weapon, as well as physical strength that increased as well. That was it. It was a fantasy game so there was magic, but forming a contract with a spirit was extremely difficult, and only 1% of the playerbase were magicians. In this VR game【DEMONDAL】that was ridiculously close to reality, the protagonist Kei who was a well known mounted archery expert, was one day sent to another world with his Russian【DEMONDAL】friend. The game that was severe to begin with had turned into a reality, and the harshness increased again――

Publication Information

Original Publisher: syosetu
Original Language: japanese
Type: Web Novel

Vermillion Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator

My Thoughts on Vermillion

"Vermillion" definitely grabbed my attention with its unique take on the VRMMORPG-turned-reality trope. The premise is intriguing: two people, skilled in a hyper-realistic VR game, find themselves trapped in a world that mirrors it. I was eager to dive in and see how this story unfolded.

First Impressions

Initially, I found myself hooked by the world-building. The author paints a gritty, realistic picture, devoid of many of the typical game mechanics you'd expect. This lack of levels and health bars adds a sense of realism, making the stakes feel higher. However, I also felt the pacing was slow.

What Works Well

What truly stands out to me is the character development, especially the dynamic between the two leads. They aren't just cardboard cutouts; their pasts and differing perspectives shape their actions and create compelling conflicts. The male lead's pragmatism clashes with the female lead's idealism, leading to arguments that feel organic and thought-provoking. It's refreshing to see characters challenge each other's beliefs and grow as a result. Also, the novel has great writing and translation quality.

Areas of Concern

I did find some inconsistencies in the characters' actions. There were instances where the male lead's tactical decisions seemed questionable, given his supposed expertise in the game. Also, the female lead at times feels like a Mary Sue character. While I appreciated the attention to detail, I felt that the emphasis on realism occasionally came at the expense of enjoyment.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

Click "Reveal" to show spoiler content

Final Verdict

Despite its flaws, I think "Vermillion" offers a refreshing and engaging experience for fans of the isekai genre. The focus on character development, the gritty world-building, and the absence of typical game mechanics set it apart from many other novels in this category. Although the pacing is slow and there are inconsistencies, the strengths of "Vermillion" outweigh its weaknesses. I would recommend giving it a try, especially if you appreciate a more grounded and character-driven story.