A guy signs up to test a new RPG game.
Unlike 99.5% of the other books with that plot, this one doesn’t diverge from that. Throughout the story, the likeable MC is finding and filing a variety of bugs. This taps into programming humor, which often doesn’t happen within LitRPG.
In the game, when you die, your character loses all experience gained for the next level. The characters die a lot amidst poorly constructed scenes, strange bugs, and very bloodthirsty monsters, often popping up out of nowhere to cut the ropes of any bridge the characters try to cross. The levels gained in this series are the hardest won levels of any in the genre.
The goblins have a very unique battle cry before attacking, cutting bridge ropes, popping up in an ambush, or accidentally triggering a bug. Pretty much every time, something amusing happens to frustrate the players.
All in all, very likable main characters, endlessly amusing enemies and lots of programming bugs. The company behind the game isn’t the best in the world, they’re a typical game company pressed for time, trying to get an unfinished product out. All character interactions are fun and believable, especially as they get more and more frustrated.
Highly recommended.