This story had and interesting idea and a isolated protagonist on his way to being likeable and open, but dropped the ball. Ned [the main character] is someone who is selfish, not in the fun or creative way, but the sad way. It feels like its for sympathy for his actions and accept them regardless of the results. Frank the talking axe, who is the psychotic Navi helper who is suppose to against Ned, warms up to him via stock home syndrome, despite programing.
Ned also has a one of kind ultimate AI, named House, that he found in a cardboard box lying around and is rich beyond reason because of inheritance. You can’t have a sympathetic character being selfish with every advantage possible except friends. Why does Ned have no friends, because money. How does Ned get everything he could ever want in real life, money. See a problem.
Ned is sad, boring, and selfish, desiring fake glory in a game at the expense of everyone else. Frank went from funny to humping lapdog. The creator of the game is an antagonist despite having reason to not like Ned, treated like an idiot despite creating and working hard on the game the book is based in, and i don’t appreciate it.
Travis Baldree is excellent on acting and narrating, despite the world-building writing being all over the place.
Would not recommend if you like LitRPGs. Try Goblin Summoner by Tracy Gregory, a LitRPG with a deckbuilder twist.