tl.dr: One of the best Chinese VR novels translated. Overall a top 5 online novels VR novel. Generic story-line, however well written, with somewhat flushed out characters, good combat system and an interesting plot.
--Characters--
Characters in this novel are often intelligent, however not overly arrogant. As of this review, while their was one unrealistic action the MC has done, overall their is logic to the MC. He tries his best to be low key, while not degrading into someone who is unreasonably afraid of achievement, while at the same time is not afraid to exploit his advantages to a reasonable extent. The time travel element, adds reason to why the MC does certain things. It is also refreshing to see a MC who knows when to retreat and not just mindlessly offend people, just to further the plot.
Unfortunately, the regrets before his rebirth, his girlfriend, and anything he did previous to his rebirth is completely neglected. The only relevance the rebirth has, is giving future game knowledge to the MC. There is no reminisce or drive that comes from the rebirth past the first few chapters.
--Plot (contains minor spoiler)--
The plot of the story is a generic plot in which the MC is reborn with game knowledge and uses this knowledge to obtain hidden advantages. As of writing this review (ch.51) the MC uses his knowledge to exploit a bug and solo a world boss, finds a unique item which he exploits to get an advantage over others(gold likewise), as well as strategies to clear dungeons. Though the plot is cliche, it works, other components are strong enough to cover this weakness.
--Combat System and it's Effect on Plot--
My personal favorite part of the novel is the combat system, which though not heavily covered, I believe adds lots of depth to the novel. The combat system is split into two systems the manual system, and the automatic system. Though initially the manual system is far less efficient than the automatic combat system through continuous effort, one becomes more optimal using manual combat. I believe that because the main reason for the MC advantage over others is mostly due to the innate knowledge of the benefits of the manual system, it makes the story far easier to swallow, then if for example, the MC found an OP item that made him better in any way possible. Due to the MC's constant growth through the higher completion of combos in the combat system, I feel the story is less stagnant then it would be without it.
--World Building--
Overall the novel does a good job at building up the setting for the novel. The massive effect this VR has on the world is sufficiently explained, with the flexibility of the VR world itself allowing for unique situations, such that its hard to make the story stale. The realism, in that there are still bugs and exploits, allows for the world to be more immersive, as it is easier to relate to, and overall the story does a good job.
