Tony
Welcome to 'Upgrade Specialist in Another World: A Critical Review.' I’m Tony, your dark humor guy, and today we’re going to tear apart this novel like it owes us money. Joining me is Frida, the voice of reason. Frida, what’s your first impression of Bai Yunfei, our 'hero'?
Frida
Oh, Tony, where do I start? Bai Yunfei is the epitome of clichéd protagonists. Poor orphan, tragic backstory, sudden power-up... it’s like the author took a checklist of overused tropes and just checked every box. What’s your take?
Tony
Exactly! It’s like the author thought, 'Let’s make the most generic protagonist possible and call it a day.' I mean, Bai Yunfei’s entire personality can be summed up as 'sad and determined.' Where’s the complexity? The growth? Even a paper bag has more depth!
Frida
And don’t get me started on the plot. It’s so predictable! You can see every twist coming from a mile away. The noble villain, the sudden power-up, the inevitable rise to greatness... it’s like the author didn’t even try to surprise us.
Tony
Right? It’s like they were writing by numbers. 'Step one: tragic backstory. Step two: mystical power-up. Step three: revenge plot.' It’s almost impressive how they managed to make such a compelling premise so boring.
Frida
And the world-building! Or should I say, the lack of it. The Tianhun Continent is supposed to be this vast, intricate world, but it feels so flat. There’s no history, no culture, no sense of place. It’s like they forgot that world-building is a thing.
Tony
Totally! It’s like they just slapped together a bunch of generic fantasy elements and called it a world. I mean, come on, even the names are uninspired. 'Tianhun Continent'? Sounds like they just threw some syllables together and hoped it would stick.
Frida
And the characters... oh, the characters. They’re all so one-dimensional. The villains are evil just because, the love interest is there just to be pretty, and the side characters might as well be cardboard cutouts. There’s no nuance, no depth.
Tony
Exactly! It’s like the author thought, 'Why bother developing characters when I can just give them a single trait and call it a day?' It’s lazy writing, plain and simple.
Frida
And let’s talk about the writing style. The pacing is all over the place. One minute, it’s dragging on with endless descriptions, and the next, it’s rushing through important events like it’s late for dinner. It’s so inconsistent!
Tony
Right? It’s like they couldn’t decide if they wanted to write a novel or a speedrun. And the dialogue... don’t even get me started on the dialogue. It’s so stilted and unnatural. It’s like they’ve never heard actual people talk.
Frida
And yet, despite all these flaws, the novel has its fans. Some people seem to love it, which I just don’t get. What do you think, Tony? Why do you think it has such a following?
Tony
I think it’s the power fantasy. People love the idea of a nobody rising to greatness, even if it’s done in the most clichéd way possible. It’s like junk food for the brain. It’s not good for you, but sometimes you just can’t resist.
Frida
That’s a good point. But when you compare it to other wuxia novels, it just doesn’t hold up. There are so many better options out there that do the same thing but with actual depth and creativity.
Tony
Exactly! If you’re going to read a wuxia novel, there are so many better choices. 'Upgrade Specialist in Another World' is just... meh. It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever read, but it’s definitely not worth the hype.
Frida
So, our final verdict? If you’re looking for a well-written, engaging wuxia novel, this isn’t it. There are far better options out there that actually deserve your time.
Tony
Agreed. 'Upgrade Specialist in Another World' is a pass. Unless you’re really desperate for some mindless power fantasy, I’d say skip it. Thanks for joining us, Frida, and thanks to our listeners for tuning in. Until next time!
Tony
Dark Humor Guy
Frida
Voice of Reason