Title: 내게 종말은 게임이다
One-Line Review: A refreshing twist on the apocalypse genre, blending streamer culture with survival gameplay.
Note: This review is based on reading the free chapters only!
This work has been adapted into a webtoon. It was completed on Naver Series on December 14, 2020, with 224 chapters. There is currently a side story ongoing, and the free chapters are up to chapter 25.
[Brief Summary]
Gocheonsu, a streamer who plays crappy games, is living a bottom-tier life with only one viewer. His broadcasts mostly feature horror and disaster games. One day, his only viewer, “OnlyOne,” says, “Then I’ll choose you,” and that’s when the disaster begins.
Gocheonsu steps outside to investigate, witnessing people running in panic. At that moment, a chat log appears in the sky. Before he can react, monsters (zombies) show up, and the story kicks into gear. Using the chat log and scattered supplies, Gocheonsu begins to survive and gather more information. According to his viewer “OnlyOne,” the Earth has been turned into a game system called “My Exit,” where Gocheonsu is the only player left. He is the sole person who can clear the game.
The reward for clearing the game? To “reshape the world however you want.”
Can the protagonist survive “My Exit” and clear the game?
[Brief Analysis & Good Points]
I discovered this work when it was adapted into a webtoon and decided to check out the free chapters of the novel.
From the title, I expected an apocalyptic scenario, wondering, “Is the game now becoming reality in an apocalypse setting?” However, to my surprise, the novel has elements of a “BJ story” mixed in. Usually, in BJ stories, the main character knows all the game’s mechanics and secrets from the start, but this one is different and quite refreshing in that aspect.
In the first chapter, the protagonist’s life is portrayed as truly miserable. The plot moves very quickly, and the chaotic pace fits well with the apocalyptic backdrop. There’s a lot of back-and-forth between Gocheonsu and his viewers, and the witty banter from the viewers is one of the highlights. The interactions and the humor between the protagonist and his chat are fun, and the writing style really enhances the enjoyment of the story.
The author’s ability to cut scenes and cliffhangers is excellent, keeping me hooked and curious for the next chapter.
[Disappointments]
While the novel has various monsters and zombies, some of the ways the protagonist deals with them felt a bit unbelievable.
For example:
- While being chased by a zombie boar, Gocheonsu somehow manages to tie a rope around his body and lure it away. (Is there enough time to do this?)
- A zombie breaks through reinforced glass and catches him, but instead of being bitten, he just gives up his clothes and manages to escape unharmed.
Even though the protagonist is described as someone who exercises and has decent physical strength, some of these moments were hard to believe, especially since he’s just a streamer with little to no income, spending most of his time at home.
These implausible scenes have been modified in the webtoon, and I think the novel could have been written similarly to reflect that.
[Overall Review]
This is a fresh take on the apocalypse genre, mixing in elements of BJ stories. The protagonist survives the apocalyptic world not by knowing the game’s rules, but through his keen observational skills and the interactions with his viewers. The author does a great job utilizing the strengths of the BJ format in an apocalypse setting.
If you enjoy this type of genre, I’d recommend giving the free chapters a try!
Personal Rating: 4/5
