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The Downlode Heroes #1
Cheatc0de
Most people play the game. Hank lives it.Total immersion. Total commitment. In Unlimited Combat, he's one of the best. He makes his own luck. And he plays solo. Until now. Hank's on a new mission. To succeed, he must fight harder than ever before. But he can't do it on his own. And Hank's about to find out that not everyone in the game plays by the same rules.Start reading today because, in this game, there's no such thing as going in too deep.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2016
27 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Mikey Campling
26 books81 followersMichael (Mikey to friends) is a full-time writer living and working in a tiny village on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon. He writes stories with characters you can believe in and plots you can sink your teeth into.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 6, 2016
I received a copy of this book for free from the author. All opinions are my own.
Hank is obsessed with an immersive virtual reality game. Most people play it, but he's one of the best. He always plays solo, until now. A played offers him a fortune in exchange for pushing past the boundaries of the game.
This was a fun interesting novel, and I really enjoyed Mikey Camping's writing. The different characters were engaging, and the twists throughout the story really caught me of guard which was brilliant. I do think that I didn't appreciate it as much as a gamer would, but it was a good read all the same.
Hank is obsessed with an immersive virtual reality game. Most people play it, but he's one of the best. He always plays solo, until now. A played offers him a fortune in exchange for pushing past the boundaries of the game.
This was a fun interesting novel, and I really enjoyed Mikey Camping's writing. The different characters were engaging, and the twists throughout the story really caught me of guard which was brilliant. I do think that I didn't appreciate it as much as a gamer would, but it was a good read all the same.
June 16, 2016
The virtual reality Mikey Campling has created in this book is still out of reach of today’s technology, although perhaps not by much. It sure looks a lot like the next logical step on the road to the Oasis in Ready Player One. There are a couple of hints at the beginning of Hank’s game session that more than one game is available, but he plays the same game all the time, one where he feels confident and capable. Within his game, he’s developed skills that have been noticed by others. Not everyone in the game is there for recreation.
Although most of the book takes place inside the game, the story is about the people involved more than the setting. Hank’s relationship with his father is the core of the story, even as he retreats to his room to play his game alone. There are more than a couple unexpected developments in this story.
I loved this book and I hope the ending means that Hank may be back in another book soon. Definitely recommended!
Although most of the book takes place inside the game, the story is about the people involved more than the setting. Hank’s relationship with his father is the core of the story, even as he retreats to his room to play his game alone. There are more than a couple unexpected developments in this story.
I loved this book and I hope the ending means that Hank may be back in another book soon. Definitely recommended!
March 14, 2016
"Like butter on hot corn"
Subtitled, Play to Win, Play to Survive, this is a very readable book about the in game adventures of Hank, the main protagonist, and his father, Mervin. Already an exceptionally good player, the lonely Hank meets another whilst in his favourite game who seems to have even greater skills and toys than even he possesses. He is persuaded to team up with this new talent so that they can jointly reach the final reward area. But the stranger has an ulterior motive which threatens Hank's life for real. The computer life sequences are interspersed with real life fragments which both help build the background characterisations and add poignancy to the story.
Exciting throughout and with a good ending which opens up the possibilities of a follow on book.
Subtitled, Play to Win, Play to Survive, this is a very readable book about the in game adventures of Hank, the main protagonist, and his father, Mervin. Already an exceptionally good player, the lonely Hank meets another whilst in his favourite game who seems to have even greater skills and toys than even he possesses. He is persuaded to team up with this new talent so that they can jointly reach the final reward area. But the stranger has an ulterior motive which threatens Hank's life for real. The computer life sequences are interspersed with real life fragments which both help build the background characterisations and add poignancy to the story.
Exciting throughout and with a good ending which opens up the possibilities of a follow on book.
July 25, 2016
This 5 star tale of a young teen from the poor side of town struggling to find himself in the real world who becomes a warrior in the world of VR gaming. Why does a man with everything want to partner with a boy who had to work for what he has? What is it that Hank has that the man with everything does not? What will Hank gain? What will he lose?
CheatC0de is a complex, well written tale taken from an old Grimm’s fairy tale and brought into the virtual reality gaming world of the future. (You’ll have to read the writer’s epilogue to find out which one.) Even as a non-gamer I found the story compelling and the main characters well developed. Read the story and follow the subtle clues to a few twists and surprises for both the reader and the book’s characters.
As one of his advanced copy readers I want to thank the author, Mikey Campling, for the opportunity to pre-read this book and offer my opinions before its official release. CheatC0de is different from his previous work, but no less well done, and well worth the time to read it.
CheatC0de is a complex, well written tale taken from an old Grimm’s fairy tale and brought into the virtual reality gaming world of the future. (You’ll have to read the writer’s epilogue to find out which one.) Even as a non-gamer I found the story compelling and the main characters well developed. Read the story and follow the subtle clues to a few twists and surprises for both the reader and the book’s characters.
As one of his advanced copy readers I want to thank the author, Mikey Campling, for the opportunity to pre-read this book and offer my opinions before its official release. CheatC0de is different from his previous work, but no less well done, and well worth the time to read it.
August 15, 2016
I was reminded of The Matrix while reading this book, even Will, one of the main characters suggests this concept. While in a dangerous situation he reminds Hank; "we're really not here. and Hank asks himself a familiar question; "If you die in the Game (Matrix) do you die in real life outside the Game?"
I totally enjoyed this story. It had everything I look for in any good story; I got know and care about the "good-guys", get angry at "the bad guys" and especially enjoyed being confused at times about who was who. The level of tension and anxiety over "time-is-running-out" situations had my pulse rising several times and I could feel the characters emotion.
I'm so glad to see there will be more adventurous forthcoming for Hank. When I get to know some interesting characters I'm often conflicted by wanting to see how it works out and a desire for the enjoyment - adventure to continue. I've already gotten the next book in this series appropriately called "Continue" and that's where I'm going as soon as I hit Submit on this review.
Review by THE HOLEY ONE
I totally enjoyed this story. It had everything I look for in any good story; I got know and care about the "good-guys", get angry at "the bad guys" and especially enjoyed being confused at times about who was who. The level of tension and anxiety over "time-is-running-out" situations had my pulse rising several times and I could feel the characters emotion.
I'm so glad to see there will be more adventurous forthcoming for Hank. When I get to know some interesting characters I'm often conflicted by wanting to see how it works out and a desire for the enjoyment - adventure to continue. I've already gotten the next book in this series appropriately called "Continue" and that's where I'm going as soon as I hit Submit on this review.
Review by THE HOLEY ONE
October 15, 2016
Play to win, win to survive has never been this literal before. An incredible story by a great author Mikey Campling. Get your copy today if you are into adventure or are thinking of getting a VR game console or headset :)
November 8, 2017
Cheatc0de - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Hank lives with his father Mervin - a virtual recluse since his wife left, fed up with him living a virtual life online, in which she plays no part.
Hank has done badly at school, so he can forget college and will have to take some (no doubt dead end), job as soon as possible to pay his way.
Unknown to his father (at first), Hank has taken part in a virtual online battle game, Mission Unlimited, which he has even taken part in creating. His avatar, Sergeant Kilgore isn't too successful in overcoming major obstacles and combat on his own and ends the first mission bleeding and without water or a medikit/painkillers to save himself. He loses all his game credits and is returned to basic training - a total loser!
Downstairs Mervin isn't paying attention to what he's doing and scalds himself with hot water while making a cup of tea.
In a blurring of fantasy and reality, Mervin imagines reliving his last [real-life], mission as if it were a VR game. When Hank starts playing his next game after 're-training' and gets badly wounded he's shocked when another, [unnamed/unknown] soldier enters and saves him by means of a fantastic range of weapons, no less than 5 'super' medkits and a very expensive prototype body-armour that's impervious to all weapons used against its wearer - all the things Hank would love to have, but could never afford.
Who is the mystery soldier? Why does he need to ask Hank's real name? What secret weapon does he show Hank? Can they escape the Nanobot attack? How does the mission end?
This book is a masterpiece of portrayal of how virtual reality is sometimes better than the 'real' life it replaces, as long as you know the 'cheatc0de' and how to use it at the right time to get the result you want. At the same time it's a warning that virtual reality is just that - virtual and not the real thing and that one should not let it take over your actual life! Definitely a thought-provoking read - I loved it!
Hank lives with his father Mervin - a virtual recluse since his wife left, fed up with him living a virtual life online, in which she plays no part.
Hank has done badly at school, so he can forget college and will have to take some (no doubt dead end), job as soon as possible to pay his way.
Unknown to his father (at first), Hank has taken part in a virtual online battle game, Mission Unlimited, which he has even taken part in creating. His avatar, Sergeant Kilgore isn't too successful in overcoming major obstacles and combat on his own and ends the first mission bleeding and without water or a medikit/painkillers to save himself. He loses all his game credits and is returned to basic training - a total loser!
Downstairs Mervin isn't paying attention to what he's doing and scalds himself with hot water while making a cup of tea.
In a blurring of fantasy and reality, Mervin imagines reliving his last [real-life], mission as if it were a VR game. When Hank starts playing his next game after 're-training' and gets badly wounded he's shocked when another, [unnamed/unknown] soldier enters and saves him by means of a fantastic range of weapons, no less than 5 'super' medkits and a very expensive prototype body-armour that's impervious to all weapons used against its wearer - all the things Hank would love to have, but could never afford.
Who is the mystery soldier? Why does he need to ask Hank's real name? What secret weapon does he show Hank? Can they escape the Nanobot attack? How does the mission end?
This book is a masterpiece of portrayal of how virtual reality is sometimes better than the 'real' life it replaces, as long as you know the 'cheatc0de' and how to use it at the right time to get the result you want. At the same time it's a warning that virtual reality is just that - virtual and not the real thing and that one should not let it take over your actual life! Definitely a thought-provoking read - I loved it!
October 13, 2017
I did receive this book in a promotion and although it is outside what I normally read, it sounded like it could be exciting ... and it delivered. Mikey Campling introduced me to a different level of VR. I have a couple of more from the same author and can't wait to get started on them.
When Hank enters VR he plays alone. He doesn't rely on others and doesn't want others to rely on him but when he meets Will and gets a taste of the possible upgrades and credits he can get just for teaming up, he can't resist. All he has to do is enter into the game controllers military zone and obtain a key ... but there is always more than what he is told and the risks are above anything he is prepared for.
When Hank enters VR he plays alone. He doesn't rely on others and doesn't want others to rely on him but when he meets Will and gets a taste of the possible upgrades and credits he can get just for teaming up, he can't resist. All he has to do is enter into the game controllers military zone and obtain a key ... but there is always more than what he is told and the risks are above anything he is prepared for.
August 31, 2018
From a non-gamer's point of view this is a great book with an important overarching message that threads its way through the narrative so convincingly that I felt compelled to keep reading, despite my total lack of gaming experience. As in the case of Ready Player One, the gamer experience is central here. But it's not the only important thing about the book - relationships are even more significant - and for me the author's dedication holds the key to the true core of the novel, and that's something Mikey Campling brings across very, very well.
July 13, 2017
The story, of the genre litRPG, is well told and the world building and characters are great except for one big thing, for me. The two primary characters say G--D--- to such an excess that it took me out of the story repeatedly. I'm aware that it is very commonly used especially in the military but that does not mean that I have to like it. I did finish the book and the second half had fewer uses.
June 29, 2024
Not the longest book, not the most sophisticated either, but I enjoyed the hell out of it. A LitVR with combat Sim and real world elements. I flew through this because it doesn't let up. The protagonist is on the go from the start to the end with no stopping.
Great fun, highly recommend to gamers, SciFi and LitRPG fans.
Great fun, highly recommend to gamers, SciFi and LitRPG fans.
December 20, 2017
CHEATC0DE is one of the most exciting books I have read. The virtual world Mikey Campling has created is absolutely fascinating. The characters are great, the action is intense, and the overall storyline is perfectly riveting, with a few mysteries still left unresolved.
February 24, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, think all of his books are. Now down to business; I never do 'reviews', there is the blurb and enough reviews giving a rundown of the plot ad infinitum so... Cheatcode, Continue? which is exclusive for subscribers which can find link for that one and others at the back of this book, and just coming out due to hit soon The Trust which is basically Cheatcode 2. I know this because just finished reading it, and soon you can too.
He's a lovely strange writer...though that may be redundant.
He's a lovely strange writer...though that may be redundant.
October 18, 2016
Had to fight myself through the first 60% - repetetive in the way the characters deal with each other, and sort of predictable. Mervin's flashbacks were interesting but ultimately confusing as they didn't seem to connect to the rest of the storyline at all and lacked context and concrete details.
Towards the end it got exciting and more fast paced, though again the interactions between basically anyone and Hank seem to be the same pattern over and over again.
Overall an ok read, not bad at all but it couldn't really capture me. I would have enjoyed more actual in depth worldbuilding and details about tthe VR and game, as well as the characters' backgrounds (though maybe some of that will be topic of the other books set in this universe).
Towards the end it got exciting and more fast paced, though again the interactions between basically anyone and Hank seem to be the same pattern over and over again.
Overall an ok read, not bad at all but it couldn't really capture me. I would have enjoyed more actual in depth worldbuilding and details about tthe VR and game, as well as the characters' backgrounds (though maybe some of that will be topic of the other books set in this universe).
July 14, 2017
Compelling, absorbing read.
The gameplay was riveting, the game world quite awesome. Tension building all the while.
This was as addictive as any computer game and I totally ignored all chores slated for today until i had reached the final page.
Action packed, fast-paced enthralling storyline, but it was the characters' journey that was so good to read.
This author is quite ingenious at world creation, developing an absorbing fast-paced story, but it's the vivid characters' presence that really shines through.
I'm off to read his other series, The Darkeningstone now. Maybe I better finish (er, start) my chores first, won't be able to lift my nose out of the books.
The gameplay was riveting, the game world quite awesome. Tension building all the while.
This was as addictive as any computer game and I totally ignored all chores slated for today until i had reached the final page.
Action packed, fast-paced enthralling storyline, but it was the characters' journey that was so good to read.
This author is quite ingenious at world creation, developing an absorbing fast-paced story, but it's the vivid characters' presence that really shines through.
I'm off to read his other series, The Darkeningstone now. Maybe I better finish (er, start) my chores first, won't be able to lift my nose out of the books.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews