Daemonorg Prison-Lab

Overtaken Online, Book 1

By: Ben Ormstad

Narrated by: Doug Tisdale Jr.

Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

OVERTAKEN ONLINE. The world's first FPS VR-MMORPG with 100% immersion. Reminiscent of classics like Doom and Dead Space, but with RPG-elements that enable players to level up and develop skills and sprinkled with a pinch of magic.

The 33-year old game designer Dex Walsh spends an entire year devoured by sorrow after the death of his wife. As a last-ditch effort to regain his joy, he sells everything and joins Overtaken Online. Expecting to spawn in a noob-friendly area with guidance from his personal assistant, he instead finds himself naked and alone in a dark prison cell rapidly filling with gas. Under-leveled and with no idea how to escape, he quickly learns no-one wants him alive in this godforsaken place.... Strap on your ammo belts, reload your weapons, and join this struggling Battle-Marine as he blasts through waves of demonic aliens while rescuing prisoners and increasing his power.

Beware! This GameLit / LitRPG / LitFPS story contains: - First person POV - Slow, steady progression / Non-OP MC - Stats / inventory management - Blood, guts, guns and F-bombs - No harem

©2021 Unum (P)2021 Audiobooks Unleashed

A solid first book

Not mind blowingly good, but a solid first book in the series. I especially liked that it was light on stats till the last chapter. I will most likely pick up the 2nd book when it's released.

LitFPS? Yes, please!

I've read my share of LitRPGs so when I heard about a LitFPS I jumped at the chance to check it out. I was not disappointed. In book of Overtaken Online, video games and books collide resulting in a fun action adventure with the heat and soul of DOOM. I can't wait to read the next one!

it's okay

Not bad. decent world building. okay Narrator. dialog is a little odd. good progression. Not OP MC

good litrpg but

the narrator is very bad. barely any change in voice from character to character. everyone sounds the same. very little emotion in his voice even when the character is supposed to be screaming. the only negative I have with he story is the relationship between himself and fritta feels so fake and to offer done.

can't wait for more

an interesting take on the lit RPG form. it reminded me a lot of doom. with a well told story can't wait to listen to more.

sad mc

main character came off as more of a teenager than a 33 yr old adult. with both getting distracted during combat and whining every time something went wrong

Daemonorg Prison-Lab

Introduction:
Greetings, fellow inhabitants of HowlStrom. It is I, Kiba Snowpaw, the alpha Ice Wolf with the power of ice magic, bringing you a review from the icy depths of my gaming den. As someone who has been immersed in the world of gaming for over 36 years, I have ventured into countless virtual realms, and today, I share my thoughts on Ben Ormstad's "Overtaken Online #1: Daemonorg Prison-Lab."

Basic Plot Summary:
The story revolves around Dex Walsh, a 33-year-old game designer who, after the tragic loss of his wife, decides to sell everything and immerse himself in Overtaken Online, the world's first FPS VR-MMORPG. However, instead of a warm welcome, he finds himself trapped in a dark, sinister prison-lab, surrounded by demonic creatures and faced with life-threatening challenges.

Analysis/Evaluation:
Ormstad's narrative is a thrilling blend of classic FPS games like Doom and Dead Space, combined with RPG elements and a touch of magic. The story's pacing is intense, with action-packed sequences that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The game's mechanics, including leveling up and skill development, are intricately woven into the narrative, providing depth and immersion.

Characters:
Dex Walsh, our protagonist, is a complex character. His grief and sorrow are palpable, making his decision to escape reality and dive into the game understandable. As he navigates the challenges of the prison-lab, we see his resilience, determination, and growth. The secondary characters, though not as fleshed out, add depth and intrigue to the story.

Structure:
The book's structure is well-balanced, with a mix of backstory, action sequences, and character development. The initial chapters, which delve into Dex's past and his reasons for joining the game, set the tone for the challenges he faces later on.

Impact:
"Overtaken Online #1" is not just a tale of virtual battles and leveling up. It's a story of resilience, coping with loss, and finding purpose in the face of adversity. It serves as a reminder of the therapeutic potential of gaming and virtual worlds.

Hook and Thesis:
The book's hook lies in its unique setting—a prison-lab filled with demonic creatures, where the stakes are high, and survival is the only goal. The underlying thesis is the exploration of grief, coping mechanisms, and the fine line between reality and virtuality.

Praise and Critique:
Ormstad deserves praise for crafting a gripping narrative that seamlessly blends action, RPG elements, and emotional depth. However, the story does have its flaws. The constant reminders of the game's virtual nature can be jarring, and some character interactions feel forced or unnatural.

Evaluation:
Despite its shortcomings, "Overtaken Online #1" is a thrilling read that offers a fresh take on the LitRPG genre. The action sequences are exhilarating, the game mechanics are well-integrated, and the emotional depth adds layers to the narrative.

Comparison:
While the book draws inspiration from classic FPS games, it also stands out in the LitRPG genre. Unlike many other titles that focus solely on action and game mechanics, Ormstad's work delves deep into the protagonist's psyche, making it a unique and memorable read.

Conclusion:
In the vast universe of LitRPGs, "Overtaken Online #1: Daemonorg Prison-Lab" shines bright. It's a roller-coaster ride of emotions, action, and virtual challenges. For those looking for a fresh and immersive LitRPG experience, this book is a must-read. As the icy winds of HowlStrom howl in the background, I, Kiba Snowpaw, give this book a frosty four out of five stars. Until our next adventure, keep your paws warm and your spirits high!

Audible lies, real Harry sue

There are a total of eight reviews right now. Most of which are negative tho you would never know by looking at the overall score. The main character is written to be the softest cringiest guy. The kind of guy that wears a fedora and calls women ladies. He is so depressed over his dead wife that he constantly talks about committing suicide the first two hours, but like someone who is doing it for attention? It just feels way off. Add to that how he bounces from “I hate my life because my wife is dead” to “omg she is so pretty”, and it really feels forced. I don’t want to be too harsh here, authors have feelings too and there are lots of interesting things about the world and ideas I like but it all falls short with how it’s written. I’m not a writer so it feels unfair to criticize so heavily but there is one character that calls mc the funniest guy that has ever been in the building, another more senior veteran player tells him how cool and badass he is, and of right where I’m writing this half way through the book is literally only there to do so and to be saved by him, there is women that is there to be saved and be hot and impressed by his mad gamer skills, there is an unfortunate amount of adjective to describe everything but only the parts you already get, never the cool tech or guns or during a fight, just about how real the coma game feels, there are a ton more gripes but that should be enough. Now for the narrator. I don’t mind his voice too much his sssss noises are a little sharp and piercing, but he is a very effeminate sounding man. This kind of character when read by him really kills any bad ass feeling or manly power fantasy. I kinda don’t think he was a good choice for this book. I feel like pulpy stupid sci-fi can be saved by a good voice actor, but I don’t think anyone could really salvage this. It needed another three or four passes through a couple editors to be abridged down a bit. Again the idea of litrpg in a doom and magic world is awesome, but the writing just can’t hold up. I think with time and practice the author could nail the material but as of now this whole thing is kinda really bad.

TLDR spend your credits elsewhere. This feels like an extra long essay a high schooler got into over summer break in his intro to writing class. The narration is effeminate and flat. The world is interesting but it can’t support the writing. Try he who fights with monsters or cradle for campy litrpg executed a ways more expertly.

Trash

Mc is dislikable and dialog is frustratingly simple. Makes me think it is a very bad translation to english.

feels flat

i don't know how else to describe it there's no depth to anyone or anything