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Hell Mode Light Novel #1
Hell Mode: Volume 1
“‘Level up even while offline’?! That’s not a game on ‘easy mode’—that’s just an AFK game!”
The online game Yamada Kenichi had been playing religiously is shutting down its servers, leaving him with a void in his heart. He looks for a new game to fill it, but everything he finds is way too easy. The kind of game he likes—the kind punishing enough to make players want to spend thousands of hours on it—just isn’t around anymore.
“What’s this? ‘You are invited to a game that will never end.’”
Kenichi stumbles upon an untitled game, one promising incomparable challenge with unprecedented potential. Without hesitation, he selects the “Hell Mode” difficulty. Lo and behold, he finds himself reincarnated in another world as a serf!
Now called Allen, he sets out to unlock the secrets of his mystery-laden Summoner class; without the convenience of walkthroughs, game guides, or online forums, he must grope his way to the top of his new world!
The online game Yamada Kenichi had been playing religiously is shutting down its servers, leaving him with a void in his heart. He looks for a new game to fill it, but everything he finds is way too easy. The kind of game he likes—the kind punishing enough to make players want to spend thousands of hours on it—just isn’t around anymore.
“What’s this? ‘You are invited to a game that will never end.’”
Kenichi stumbles upon an untitled game, one promising incomparable challenge with unprecedented potential. Without hesitation, he selects the “Hell Mode” difficulty. Lo and behold, he finds himself reincarnated in another world as a serf!
Now called Allen, he sets out to unlock the secrets of his mystery-laden Summoner class; without the convenience of walkthroughs, game guides, or online forums, he must grope his way to the top of his new world!
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2020
93 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 9, 2022
"Hell Mode" doesn't mean it's more difficult or requires you to be cleverer or puts you in deeply unpleasant circumstances. In fact, everything is simple and rather pleasant. "Hell Mode" just means the protagonist grinds 100x more to level. The author circumvents(?) this by making the protagonist's initial stats and leveling boosts so ridiculously overpowered that, from a practical standpoint, the protagonist is leveling quickly. So instead of Hell Mode, what we have is:
- You the reader are watching someone else play a game
- The game's balancing is so bad that the game is on Super Easy Mode for them
- The game is composed of nothing but endless level grinding
. . . Considering the hellishly boring subject matter, the writing was pretty okay.
- You the reader are watching someone else play a game
- The game's balancing is so bad that the game is on Super Easy Mode for them
- The game is composed of nothing but endless level grinding
. . . Considering the hellishly boring subject matter, the writing was pretty okay.
July 23, 2023
This is surprisingly readable and, if you skim or skip the tedious stats, actually pretty enjoyable as well. Allen's devotion to his new family, a lack of creepy breastfeeding scenes during his infancy, and the writing in general all combine to make this one of the better stock-footage isekai novels I've read. Now if J-Novel Club would just end their torrid affair with the phrase "in a fluster," I'd be even happier.
April 24, 2025
AKA playing the Pokemon card game in another world. No.
January 22, 2023
So this was a fantastic isekai story and most of the lower ratings seem to be a result of mistaken expectations.
Character - 8/10, Plot - 8/10, Setting/Game Mechanics - 9/10, Writing - 8/10, Enjoyment 10/10
The MC of this story is a mid-thirties businessman who plays a ton of games in his free time and laments the fact that most games nowadays are geared toward casuals rather than people who want to invest time and energy into learning the ins and outs of the mechanics. This businessman signs himself up via the internet for what he thinks is a game, but ends up being a portal fantasy/isekai situation that reincarnates him in another world. So far everything played out pretty well without a lot of the usual caveats we see, like classes that are broken from the get-go.
While the MC is definitely situated to become an overpowered character down the road, at present his stats are diminished due to his age and he also suffers an xp growth penalty due to choosing the most difficult class of Summoner. It's basically a class with a rough start but with high potential, like starting a game of Oregon Trail as a Farmer. Look that one up, kids.
I thought the setting and the game mechanics were great. It's obvious that some thought went into things despite the book being inspired by other lite novels and anime storylines. All too often, stories like this are just watered down and derivative, but this one feels influenced but blazes its own path to a degree. So far, the author has done a good job with the game mechanics to give the MC some advantages while also providing a suitable amount of burden to go with them.
The writing was pretty solid. There was an unfortunate tendency for the translator/editor to mistake further/farther, but otherwise nothing really jumped out at me or got in the way of the story.
This is pretty much exactly what I look for when I pick up an isekai/gamelit story. I really like it when the early game is fleshed out and the power curve doesn't get out of hand. There's still opportunity for that down the road, but so far this was an ideal Book 1 for an isekai experience and exactly what Jobless Reincarnation could have been if it wasn't too busy tripping over its own dick.
Character - 8/10, Plot - 8/10, Setting/Game Mechanics - 9/10, Writing - 8/10, Enjoyment 10/10
The MC of this story is a mid-thirties businessman who plays a ton of games in his free time and laments the fact that most games nowadays are geared toward casuals rather than people who want to invest time and energy into learning the ins and outs of the mechanics. This businessman signs himself up via the internet for what he thinks is a game, but ends up being a portal fantasy/isekai situation that reincarnates him in another world. So far everything played out pretty well without a lot of the usual caveats we see, like classes that are broken from the get-go.
While the MC is definitely situated to become an overpowered character down the road, at present his stats are diminished due to his age and he also suffers an xp growth penalty due to choosing the most difficult class of Summoner. It's basically a class with a rough start but with high potential, like starting a game of Oregon Trail as a Farmer. Look that one up, kids.
I thought the setting and the game mechanics were great. It's obvious that some thought went into things despite the book being inspired by other lite novels and anime storylines. All too often, stories like this are just watered down and derivative, but this one feels influenced but blazes its own path to a degree. So far, the author has done a good job with the game mechanics to give the MC some advantages while also providing a suitable amount of burden to go with them.
The writing was pretty solid. There was an unfortunate tendency for the translator/editor to mistake further/farther, but otherwise nothing really jumped out at me or got in the way of the story.
This is pretty much exactly what I look for when I pick up an isekai/gamelit story. I really like it when the early game is fleshed out and the power curve doesn't get out of hand. There's still opportunity for that down the road, but so far this was an ideal Book 1 for an isekai experience and exactly what Jobless Reincarnation could have been if it wasn't too busy tripping over its own dick.
March 3, 2022
rough start
There’s a bit of irony in Allen’s instigating complaint being that the games he plays have become standardized hand-holding bores when this is pretty standardized op mc isekai fare.
For a story called “Hell Mode” Allen’s life, save for a brief stint, is one of the most picturesque I’ve read in isekai. You’re in trouble when Ascendence of a Bookworm portrays a harsher reality. “Hell Mode” itself doesn’t really impart the difficulty the name implies and boils down to “you just have grind levels and farm XP at a ridiculous rate.”
The brief stint I mentioned is the saving grace of the book though. Halfway through there is finally a conflict presented and Allen actually becomes a unique character and not just an avatar for the reader. True, he’s still a mostly flat OP character who’s primary schtick is “I actually am obsessed enough to do the very dull level grinding” but becoming a dutiful son does add the flavor this book desperately need and sets up good conflict for later down the road (“honor my family” vs “get the skills and levels I want”)
Still wondering how you mess up the comedy of essentially pulling a Karen on a deity.
At the close of the novel, there’s potential but this book should be really thankful for sunk cost fallacy.
There’s a bit of irony in Allen’s instigating complaint being that the games he plays have become standardized hand-holding bores when this is pretty standardized op mc isekai fare.
For a story called “Hell Mode” Allen’s life, save for a brief stint, is one of the most picturesque I’ve read in isekai. You’re in trouble when Ascendence of a Bookworm portrays a harsher reality. “Hell Mode” itself doesn’t really impart the difficulty the name implies and boils down to “you just have grind levels and farm XP at a ridiculous rate.”
The brief stint I mentioned is the saving grace of the book though. Halfway through there is finally a conflict presented and Allen actually becomes a unique character and not just an avatar for the reader. True, he’s still a mostly flat OP character who’s primary schtick is “I actually am obsessed enough to do the very dull level grinding” but becoming a dutiful son does add the flavor this book desperately need and sets up good conflict for later down the road (“honor my family” vs “get the skills and levels I want”)
Still wondering how you mess up the comedy of essentially pulling a Karen on a deity.
At the close of the novel, there’s potential but this book should be really thankful for sunk cost fallacy.
July 6, 2022
After reading up until the 3rd volume, the magnitude, and theme of the story have become clear. Hell mode is around 4.5/5 stars. Does this mean that Hell Mode is actually a masterpiece? No! But, its deserving of every star it gets, and is thoroughly enjoyable.
Following many of the tropes of Mushoku Tensei and other's of the isekai light novel genre, Hell Mode desires to have a strong protagonist, yet circumvents this with the main theme of his extremely hard growth. It pains me whenever people point out that a story has a 'strong character' and thats exactly what they don't like about it. When, in reality, a strong character does not mean a bad story, and just because the book offers to deliver on an aspect of 'hard growth' through it's catching title, does not mean it will not have a strong main character.
If anything, the book itself is built around the idea of needing a strong main character; its plot, its story, the protagonist's trials and errors. Without this aspect of strength or 'being op', the protagonist would not be able to expand on this relevant theme of duty and honor throughout the book.
The author handily crafts a story that from start to finish has reason upon reason for it's events. Every detail, every encounter, everything makes sense in the end. And thats one of the very strong pulls of this book. It is obvious the author thought this through, giving information in notes, instead of heaps. And as a reader that becomes a very exciting and enjoyable experience as everything in the world seems to click.
This world building though not masterful in the way that Tolkien might conjure, or gripping like JK Rowling's books, is every bit enjoyable as many top novels are in their respects. For a Japanese light novel dedicated to this specific niche of detail, grinding, and gradual progression, it completes every trope and idea with you wanting for more.
In a way, in its own way, its the epitome, the masterclass of what a Japanese isekai is and should be.
Following many of the tropes of Mushoku Tensei and other's of the isekai light novel genre, Hell Mode desires to have a strong protagonist, yet circumvents this with the main theme of his extremely hard growth. It pains me whenever people point out that a story has a 'strong character' and thats exactly what they don't like about it. When, in reality, a strong character does not mean a bad story, and just because the book offers to deliver on an aspect of 'hard growth' through it's catching title, does not mean it will not have a strong main character.
If anything, the book itself is built around the idea of needing a strong main character; its plot, its story, the protagonist's trials and errors. Without this aspect of strength or 'being op', the protagonist would not be able to expand on this relevant theme of duty and honor throughout the book.
The author handily crafts a story that from start to finish has reason upon reason for it's events. Every detail, every encounter, everything makes sense in the end. And thats one of the very strong pulls of this book. It is obvious the author thought this through, giving information in notes, instead of heaps. And as a reader that becomes a very exciting and enjoyable experience as everything in the world seems to click.
This world building though not masterful in the way that Tolkien might conjure, or gripping like JK Rowling's books, is every bit enjoyable as many top novels are in their respects. For a Japanese light novel dedicated to this specific niche of detail, grinding, and gradual progression, it completes every trope and idea with you wanting for more.
In a way, in its own way, its the epitome, the masterclass of what a Japanese isekai is and should be.
May 21, 2024
Hell Mode: Volume 1 - A Darkly Humorous Dive into the Apocalypse
Hamuo's Hell Mode: Volume 1 is a thrilling and darkly humorous take on the apocalypse genre. This light novel plunges readers into a world overrun by monsters, where survival hinges on embracing the absurd and defying expectations.
Hell Mode introduces us to a protagonist who, after dying in a freak accident, finds himself resurrected in a world transformed into a brutal game-like environment. Faced with monstrous creatures and impossible challenges, he must adapt quickly and utilize his newfound "Hell Mode" abilities to survive.
Comparing to Contemporaries:
While Hell Mode shares similarities with other post-apocalyptic light novels, it distinguishes itself through its unique blend of dark humor and intense action. Unlike series like Highschool of the Dead by Daisuke Satō, which focuses on the horror and despair of a zombie apocalypse, or The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai, which explores themes of escape and rebellion, Hell Mode embraces a more cynical and comedic approach. The protagonist's sardonic wit and nonchalant attitude in the face of danger create a refreshingly different tone that sets it apart from its peers.
The novel also excels in its world-building, presenting a richly imagined post-apocalyptic landscape where the lines between reality and game-like elements are blurred. The introduction of the "Hell Mode" system adds an intriguing layer of complexity, challenging readers to consider the implications of a world where survival depends on embracing violence and pushing oneself to the limit.
Spoiler Alert!
In conclusion, Hell Mode: Volume 1 is a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction and dark comedy. Hamuo's creation offers a fresh and exhilarating perspective on a familiar genre, delivering a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. With its unique protagonist, engaging world-building, and a healthy dose of dark humor, Hell Mode is a standout addition to the world of light novels.
October 21, 2021
When a certain gamer is offered the chance to play a new game with a "real" Hell Mode difficulty, he jumps at the chance---and finds it's reincarnated him into a new world. With the brand-new class of Summoner at his disposal, Allen finds the grind involves more than just levels . . .
This may be fairly by-the-numbers but I still enjoyed it. Since Allen is the first Summoner to exist in this world, he ends up stumbling across some bugs in his class, such as the appraisal ceremony incorrectly announcing him as Talentless.
It's important to note that Hell Mode itself doesn't exactly confer any benefits on Allen, just penalties. He's exponentially slower to level any skill, which necessitates a masochistic approach to training even when he's very young, as even the most efficient training plans still require years to get him a single skill level.
The fact that he IS in Hell Mode is what keeps him from feeling too overpowered. Yes, his summons have a lot of potential---but he's got to strategize how best to use them. They aren't exactly a foolproof win.
I'm actually less thrilled with the childhood friend, as this seems like a clear setup for a future romance, and Krena is obsessively attached to him.
Overall, though, this looks fairly promising. The summons are gaining more and more variety as he continues to unlock them, and circumstances near the end have pushed Allen out of his starting town and into the rest of the world. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
This may be fairly by-the-numbers but I still enjoyed it. Since Allen is the first Summoner to exist in this world, he ends up stumbling across some bugs in his class, such as the appraisal ceremony incorrectly announcing him as Talentless.
It's important to note that Hell Mode itself doesn't exactly confer any benefits on Allen, just penalties. He's exponentially slower to level any skill, which necessitates a masochistic approach to training even when he's very young, as even the most efficient training plans still require years to get him a single skill level.
The fact that he IS in Hell Mode is what keeps him from feeling too overpowered. Yes, his summons have a lot of potential---but he's got to strategize how best to use them. They aren't exactly a foolproof win.
I'm actually less thrilled with the childhood friend, as this seems like a clear setup for a future romance, and Krena is obsessively attached to him.
Overall, though, this looks fairly promising. The summons are gaining more and more variety as he continues to unlock them, and circumstances near the end have pushed Allen out of his starting town and into the rest of the world. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
May 21, 2022
Yamada Kenichi is a 35-office worker in the era of games being made to be “easy” for the user. “It was precisely because the game design was so unreasonably and unforgiving that the items and level Kenichi gained actually meant something to him” (4). He attempted to search for a game that gave him the same thrill but came up dry. “Since then, Kenichi had tried multiple games, always seeking to relive the rush back then.” (4). He finds a game that pique his interest online. “The on-screen text definitely grabbed Kenichi’s attention with promises of so much content that no single player could ever accomplish everything the game had to offer” (5). After setting the difficulties at max he launched the game was instantly transported into a world in the medieval era as a serf.
Once transported into this unfamiliar world he instantly starts experimenting with the game rules and limits. I recommend reading this book because it allows the reader to explore an unknown world with the protagonist. Reading him explore the game and face challenges is very interesting.
Once transported into this unfamiliar world he instantly starts experimenting with the game rules and limits. I recommend reading this book because it allows the reader to explore an unknown world with the protagonist. Reading him explore the game and face challenges is very interesting.
October 25, 2021
Allen is fed up with easy games. Searching for a difficult hard core game, he ends up being reborn in a sword-and-magic world as a summoner (a brand new class) as a serf. It is soon clear he picked a challenging mode indeed with a new buggy class, a poor family and needing a lot of xp to level.
The world, class and characters are interesting and likeable. It is certainly an interesting twist, hell mode types of story are not necessarily unique, but this one is done well.
The system mechanics, including the status screens, but it is not for everybody. It also creates a few oddities that probably should raise a few more questions from those around the MC.
All in all, an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the next part and new phase in Allen's life.
The world, class and characters are interesting and likeable. It is certainly an interesting twist, hell mode types of story are not necessarily unique, but this one is done well.
The system mechanics, including the status screens, but it is not for everybody. It also creates a few oddities that probably should raise a few more questions from those around the MC.
All in all, an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the next part and new phase in Allen's life.
April 21, 2023
Honestly, I picked this up thinking it would be a trashy fun quick read, and I’m surprised by how much I liked it.
Rather than other stories in this genre it genuinely feels like the title serves a purpose. The main character is stacked against the world and he has to figure out ways to survive with smarts. When he does get a victory you feel like he’s earned it.
Also, I feel like authors put stats and numbers, and skills and labels, as word vomit more often than not in these type of stories. I was pleasantly surprised to find that part restrained here and meticulously thought out. It felt closer to LitRPG than it’s contemporaries.
Yeah, excited to see where this goes next.
Rather than other stories in this genre it genuinely feels like the title serves a purpose. The main character is stacked against the world and he has to figure out ways to survive with smarts. When he does get a victory you feel like he’s earned it.
Also, I feel like authors put stats and numbers, and skills and labels, as word vomit more often than not in these type of stories. I was pleasantly surprised to find that part restrained here and meticulously thought out. It felt closer to LitRPG than it’s contemporaries.
Yeah, excited to see where this goes next.
October 14, 2021
An auspicious beginning
I've read many Isekai novels in the last few years, and most have been rather bland. This book gives me hope. The main does NOT spend pages upon pages pining for rice and reinventing curry. He does NOT single-handedly overturn the government or economy with his modern knowledge. The support characters are vivid, with their own backgrounds and worries. For once, the main has to think and struggle to develop their OP-ness. I can't wait for the next volume!
I've read many Isekai novels in the last few years, and most have been rather bland. This book gives me hope. The main does NOT spend pages upon pages pining for rice and reinventing curry. He does NOT single-handedly overturn the government or economy with his modern knowledge. The support characters are vivid, with their own backgrounds and worries. For once, the main has to think and struggle to develop their OP-ness. I can't wait for the next volume!
October 31, 2021
Hey interesting isekai story
I really enjoyed the story it was very entertaining I like the viewpoint from the main character as well as the things that an avid gamer would do. It has some statistics as well as his determination of what he needs to do in order to level truly hardcore with no directions only with previous experience from other games. I also like the personalities of the characters it kept me entertained and I really want to see or read actually what happens next in Allan's life and will he ever meet his pink-haired childhood friend again? 😎
I really enjoyed the story it was very entertaining I like the viewpoint from the main character as well as the things that an avid gamer would do. It has some statistics as well as his determination of what he needs to do in order to level truly hardcore with no directions only with previous experience from other games. I also like the personalities of the characters it kept me entertained and I really want to see or read actually what happens next in Allan's life and will he ever meet his pink-haired childhood friend again? 😎
February 9, 2022
Interesting book
This book starts off a little different, then you'd think. But that just makes it even better in the end. They make better use of the game mechanics the most other world books do. I also enjoyed the character progression, made the mc(main character) more life like and not some boring cookie cutter for the genre. Overall I'd call it a good book with reading.
This book starts off a little different, then you'd think. But that just makes it even better in the end. They make better use of the game mechanics the most other world books do. I also enjoyed the character progression, made the mc(main character) more life like and not some boring cookie cutter for the genre. Overall I'd call it a good book with reading.
January 30, 2025
I’ve read a fair amount of thinkers this month and my brain has been mush this last week. So I decided to give my first light novel a shot! And that was definitely the right call. This book uses plenty of anime tropes I know very well, but to me that’s just comforting. I’ll be following this series!
October 14, 2021
Awesome
Loved the first book ready for the next! Can't wait to see what summons he gets next. Hopefully in the next one he gets to join some combat but i dont think that will be his luck.
Loved the first book ready for the next! Can't wait to see what summons he gets next. Hopefully in the next one he gets to join some combat but i dont think that will be his luck.
November 3, 2021
WOW... Just Wow!
I have read quite a few Isekai/reincarnation books, but this one I found to be the best written. I've also given out five star ratings before, but this book is surely the most deserving by far. Give it a read and see for yourself!
I have read quite a few Isekai/reincarnation books, but this one I found to be the best written. I've also given out five star ratings before, but this book is surely the most deserving by far. Give it a read and see for yourself!
May 23, 2022
Slow but nice story.
The premise doesn't match the story, as the main character get quite overpowered since early age, even more than the suppose strongest class. The story runs smoothly, without too many action but still nice to read. I'll be looking for the next volume.
The premise doesn't match the story, as the main character get quite overpowered since early age, even more than the suppose strongest class. The story runs smoothly, without too many action but still nice to read. I'll be looking for the next volume.
June 17, 2023
Different from the current mainstream Isekais.
Character Development and understanding of environment impact is very well thought out. What it lacks in speed of action it provides in refined world creation and plot discovery.
Look forward to the next volume.
Character Development and understanding of environment impact is very well thought out. What it lacks in speed of action it provides in refined world creation and plot discovery.
Look forward to the next volume.
February 21, 2024
This series is so tedious, homie starts his isekai rebirth from the WOMB. Not sure how Hamuo makes resource management RPGs into an enjoyable read, but it's also written as a sort of rage against pay-to-win idle RPGs and that's a whole vibe.
October 9, 2024
Meh. It’s ok if you like stats and exploring the technical aspects of mechanics, but not that great if you enjoy the story side more
There are short bursts of story progression and long long stretches of re-reading the stat page, and discussing the game mechanics
There are short bursts of story progression and long long stretches of re-reading the stat page, and discussing the game mechanics
October 20, 2024
Interesting as isekis go.
Details in story are a bit meticulous, but still eye-catching. Arthur clearly knows when the immediate topic is turning exhaustive and moves on making the story engaging.
Details in story are a bit meticulous, but still eye-catching. Arthur clearly knows when the immediate topic is turning exhaustive and moves on making the story engaging.
October 23, 2024
Good Read
Liked the concept. Liked the way it was told. Great 1st book. Fills out the back story with lots of characters that you know are going to show up in later books. Looking forward to them
Liked the concept. Liked the way it was told. Great 1st book. Fills out the back story with lots of characters that you know are going to show up in later books. Looking forward to them
October 14, 2021
Great
Loved reading Allen's story, hope to see the next one soon, I also read the manga, which I also enjoy. :)
Loved reading Allen's story, hope to see the next one soon, I also read the manga, which I also enjoy. :)
October 28, 2021
I enjoy it. It's interesting considering he's doing hell mode. I read this online last year. The translation is ok. The official version cleared up some things. I want more of it.
November 4, 2021
Mostly interesting; the ‘hell mode’ is surprisingly tame, though!
November 5, 2021
An interesting take on a saturated genre!
I really enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the sequel. The flow of event is good too.
Fun read. Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the sequel. The flow of event is good too.
Fun read. Highly recommended.
January 6, 2022
fresh air and fresh genre, love the story and the chemistry between the characters!
April 2, 2022
Nice story, absolutely love it.
June 4, 2022
Must read lovely book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews