This series is just hitting all the right notes for me. Book two didn’t make me laugh quite as hard as the first one. That’s probably because I’ve settled into the characters’ nuances and their catchphrases, but that feels intentional. It’s part of the in-universe world and it works.
The pacing is tight, and I tore through this one in just a few days. The fourth floor brings in new kinds of tension while still keeping things cinematic and absurd. The new environment feels fresh and distinct, giving me some World of Warcraft nostalgia vibes.
Jeff’s narration continues to be top notch. Donut and Mordecai in particular are standout performances, and the production values are great. The synthesized voices and audio cues when system mechanics kick in are so immersive, they make me wish this series leaned even harder into a full-cast audio drama. The production house clearly has the chops. They tease exactly that style at the end of the book.
There was even a moment that almost hit me in the feels, a quiet scene between Carl and Donut that reminded me how much I’ve grown to love their relationship.
What keeps me coming back is the layered mix: pop culture references, quippy characters, nostalgic game dynamics, and just enough mystery with the AI, the syndicate, and the corporations behind the scenes. I’m all in. I feel like I’m one of the trillions watching it all play out, like the best Twitch stream ever.