New Arcadia: Revolution: A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure

by Eric Jason Martin

In the not-so-distant future, a deadly plague has forced billions into their homes, and locked them up tight. Hope may soon arrive in the form of an effective new cure from the mega-global Chum Corporation, but not before they decide their customers are ready for it.

That’s why they’ve created New Arcadia - a real-as-life virtual reality game designed to bring the isolated people of the world together again.

After its successful launch in New Arcadia: Stage One, the game is being updated and expanded with a new rhythm-game mechanic to bring players together on the dance floor. No longer just for 1990s arcade fighting game fans, all ages are being welcomed to the virtual party now.

For Prime Beta Tester John Chambers and his friends in New Arcadia, the stakes have never been higher. As the original players of the game, they feel a duty to ensure the new arrivals in New Arcadia adapt successfully to the world, and prove to the Chum Corporation that people are ready to come together again in real life.

But there are other players within the game who have a more sinister objective - and they’ll do anything to ensure that the online experiment of New Arcadia is doomed to disaster, and the people of the world continue to languish in solitude for a long, long time.

To succeed, John and his friends will have to conquer the mean streets of New Arcadia. And kill it on the dance floor.

New Arcadia: Revolution is the fast-paced and funny second installment of the New Arcadia LitRPG series by Eric Jason Martin - which seamlessly blends the dystopian setting and nostalgic charm of Ready Player One with the sharp humor and complex world-building of Shirtaloon’s He Who Fights with Monsters.

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2022

Reviews

[Brad Searing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a reviewer copy of the audiobook. I will be giving a review on both the story as well as the audio production its self.
I'll start with the audio production. I'm an avid audiobook listener so I get excited when I see some of my favorite readers listed on the production. If you saw my review of book one you know I listen at 2X normal speed and book one has some music and transitions that didn't really work for me. The same is not true for book two. For the most part the old arcade music that was overly used in book one was not the case in book two. The transitions between different characters voices were done much better and the audio quality was on par with what I would expect from an A list producer. I give the production a 4.5 out of 5.
Now for the story. Like book one there were still obscure 90's references throughout, but not nearly as many. The progression of the character throughout book two were a lot more detailed and It really felt like there was a climatic ending. I think I was a bit over hyped because of the comparison to RPO, and being such a huge fan of RPO I expected it to more closely relate to it. The fact that is didn't, does give it it's own world feel. The fact that New Arcadia is built around the rules of an old school arcade leaves you wanting more. It is very fast paste, but with an arcade flavor. Outside of the obscure 90s references I don't think I would compare it to RPO. Book 2, unlike a lot of squeals I felt was a much better story. You could tell the Eric, the author, really grew into his writing within book two. I'm very happy I picked up book one also so I could get the entire story all the way through.

[Jodie Molzahn-Brunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lived up to the standard that was set in the first book. Set in New Arcadia, a virtual reality game set in the 90's, the players must learn to work with others after the quarantines from the pandemic so that they will be better able to work together as they lift the restrictions. This book would be a very good fit for those who enjoyed Ready, Player One.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sequel a bit better than the first book. I continue to love these types of audiobooks that bring voice, sound, and music together into a complete experience. Now that the story has progressed beyond the initial story building, this book was really able to dive into plot progression, with a cast of new characters to breathe even more life into this silly, tropey, video-gamey audiobook goodness.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Arcadia: Revolution is a well-written book that I enjoyed very much. It is book two of a series and I had not read book one first and felt the storyline stood alone very well. This book is definitely a gamer's delight but you do not have to be a video game enthusiast to enjoy it. Highly recommend!

[Jjean · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read..... game play - switching from the present back to the 90s - the characters are fun and seem to be changing levels all the time - the world and its conflicts are well defined - The Review says this was a Kindle Edition BUT I read a Paperback Edition......(couldn't find where to change the edition)

[Shane Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stage Two - Dancing?

I must admit, I was a little bit worried when I saw the title for this book, New Arcadia: Revolution. I enjoyed the previous book with it’s video game vibe but wasn’t too thrilled about a “Dance Dance Revolution” sequel. Despite my chorophobia (aka fear of dancing), I really enjoyed Stage Two! It helped that the characters didn’t just suddenly switch from hand to hand fighting to “Dance-offs”. And despite my reluctance, the incorporation of this genre of video games into this world was actually smooth and entertaining.

Honestly, this book was hard to put down and I was “in” within the first two minutes. It opens in the real world, where a global pandemic continues to rage. The city of Los Angeles is post-apocalyptic with holes in the road, burned out cars and piles of trash everywhere (or perhaps it always looked like that). We see a new recruit being transported for an internship interview at Chum Inc., the mega corporate entity that ships every needful thing via drones to everyone sheltered-in-place. Feeling like a stranger in her own city, she noted that “Disneyland is still there, but it’s all messed up.” She went on to explain how it has been taken over by “Scummers”, the militant homeless who somehow survived the viral scourge. I couldn’t believe what I was reading! What a travesty! The happiest place on earth simply wasn’t THAT anymore. I hate pandemics!

As the book continued, as expected, John Chambers, alias Blaze, and his teammates Jessica and Iceman, the heroes of Stage One, have returned for more 90’s arcade-like beat‘em up style fighting. They learned that this immersive VR game was a Chum Inc. attempt to get people interacting again after years of home lockdowns and drone delivered food. This 2nd level adds some family members to create a new team chemistry that definitely brings more depth to the original characters and makes you care more about what happens to them as their battle against Drug-X continues to unfold in the expanding digital city.

Full disclosure, I listened to the audiobook version and I highly recommend it. It was intensely enjoyable with it’s 30 member cast and original music. More like an audio-play than just a narrated form of the book, I especially enjoyed the voice acting of the hilarious and somewhat ridiculous German pop star sisters Berta and Beata. Their club Re-Love-ution with it’s mystery benefactor definitely added to the entertainment value.

Okay, it’s a bit forced at times and somewhat unbelievable, like Chum Inc. executives using the virtual game to one-up each other or the supposed cure-all vaccination that’s being held back until the population is ready to reengage again. And though John Chambers, who I envisioned as a somewhat overweight Cheeto poppin’ underachiever, isn’t the most endearing leader, I still found this sequel intensely enjoyable, probably better than the original. I definitely recommend this fun ride “going downtown” with Chambers and his gang!

[Erin Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

'New Arcadia: Revolution' is one of the most fun, funny, clever well acted books I have ever listened to. I was offered this from the publisher as I had read the precursor 'New Arcadia: Stage One' which I really enjoyed. I liked 'New Arcadia: Revolution' even better. The humor is hilarious and as I listened to these talented narrators I had to laugh out loud several times. The nineties humor and word play was amazing, a total blast from the past. And Satan's Pantry Community Center and Punching Institute - genius!
The story is based on nineties arcade beat-em up action games that are being used to try to get a world shut down from a global pandemic to reunite people virtually. The powers that be don't believe people will act appropriately after being locked down in their homes for three years and have come up with an immersion virtual world for beta testers to learn how to interact with each other again. John Chambers, (Blaze) the chief beta tester is sent back in to New Arcadia by the inventor of the game with his team to stop the production and distribution of DrugX throughout the population. DrugX is highly addictive and can make users relive the terrible and sad moments of their childhoods, a dangerous and mind altering effect.
The year is 199X and all the references to nineties products and history are very, very funny. For example a 'Game Boy' becomes a 'Game Friend' and 'Coca Cola' becomes 'Ebola Cola'. I would highly recommend the audio book version. It was extremely well acted with great sound effects and music. All the narrators were top notch. You don't have to be a gamer to enjoy this gem. Very highly recommended.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Wise Media Group for providing this copy of New Arcadia: Revolution to review.

2.5 stars

This books feels a little ~~too~~ similar to Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I know that that has been a pretty popular opinion about this book, but it does feel true. It is a metaverse situation just like RP1, and it has the same "fight to the death, but it's in a video game, but it's not, and this mega corporation is out to get us, so it is life or deathhhhhh" undertones. Battleground from the headset controller vibes. I don't know. Maybe it's my unabashed disdain for gaming (sorry), or maybe it's my unabashed preference for things to be a little antiquated (not sorry), but this book just didn't do it for me.

I think that for the right audience--someone who enjoys new techno, 90's trivia, and action-based novels--this book would be another homerun in the niche that is RP1. But, I own no leg warmers, and I pine for the days of yore instead of the days where my life will be stashed in a terabyte.

[Andy Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Arcadia Stage One

There is a cure for the pandemic that has ravaged the world and forced everyone into a quarantine that has been enforced for the last three years. The trial of the deep dive immersion VRMMO 90’s beat ‘em up game known as New Arcadia is going well and giving people a chance to interact and gather again without fear. However, not everyone wants the cure to get out.

This is a really fun nostalgic trip for games like Final Fight and other bits of the 90’s. The isolation of quarantine still plays a large part in the story. John has some rough parts, but you can tell he is trying and improving. The other characters add a lot to the story and were s great addition! One huge surprise was how well the music and sound effects factor in, there is even an original song! Eric Jason Martin, Matthew Mercer, Erika Ishii, Sam Riegel, Dave Fennoy, Marin Ireland, January LaVoy, James Urbaniak,Emily Lynne and the rest of the cast do a fantastic job as narrators.

Content warning: none

[Bob Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Arcadia: Revolution is the second book in a multi book series. Like New Arcadia: Stage One (see my review), I listened to the audiobook version which involves many characters and voices: some irritating and annoying while others are entertaining and funny. You definitely should read or listen to these books in order to fully understand what’s happening in this world where a fatal disease has killed many and left it’s survivors isolated without social contact. Chum (think Amazon) is the big corporate supplier and employer that has developed a cure (vaccine) and a virtual game. Before the vaccine can be administered, Chum (interest name choice) has decided that the isolated community must play and master the game that requires multiple players working together (socialization) to achieve higher levels and ultimately win. Unfortunately Chum’s marketing team has determined that their goals require a social dependency that will be lost if the game succeeds and the vaccine is administered. So multiple Chum departments are now vying for control of the game with conflicting objectives.
John Chambers, alias Blaze, continues his struggles and challenges: to become his better self and lead his team to victory. I have rounded up my first book review of 3 stars to a 4 star rating. If you have made through this second book, the journey will undoubtedly continue to entertain.
I was gifted this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Note: based on free reviewer copy]

Continuing the New Arcadia saga (see New Arcadia: Stage One for my series review). This volume adds a bit of dance games to the series (i.e. Dance Dance Revolution). More notably it expands and fleshes out the characters. A lot of game lit books have weird solo heroes with no friends, no family, and no history. Revolution invests in relationships, father-daughter and sister-sister, and it pays off. I'm happy that Eric Martin is keeping his quirky little series going.

“No thank you, I have work in the morning,” I yell back. It’s technically true, because I’m going to be working on smacking people. Although I might just punch in early.

[A.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a copy of audio book for honest review.

If it wasn't an audio I probably wouldn't have read it just because they added some music and action sounds. It made it a bit more interesting to listen to. It feels like Ready Player One and Sword Art Online had a 90's child. This was an enjoyable read for the most part, the idea that the world had a pandemic and never recovered or found a cure so people had to stay in their houses (kind of like we all did) was cool because it immediately connected you to the characters. Also, the VR/Emersion Tank felt forced in the beginning, like play or die. In SAO they forced their players to play or die it was just kind of to much the same.

Over all 3.5 -⭐⭐⭐.5/5

[Arlet Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading the first book. I absolutely loved it and couldn't wait to see what happened next. I started this book and thought at first it started slow. There were parts I wondered why have this in the book. Let me tell you. By the end of the book, I still can't wait to see what happens. I thought for sure I wasn't going to like it. But like, the first, the end sucks you right in. It's worth a read. Hits close to home with the pandemic and virus feel. I left 3 stars for the reason of it starting super slow for me.

[Anastacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good second book, Revolution is when a new player named Tia is entered into Arcadia. Her father is Iceman, and she is young so doesn't know 90s lore. Blaze makes new friends and teammates and has a new quest to bust the Drug X, which makes players in Arcadia rage out. The references to the 90s are hilarious, including the Furby, which I always wanted back in the day. I look forward to the new books in the Arcadia series, and I bought the paperback because I love the books so much.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s just something great about this. One part Ready Player and LitRPG, one part post-apocalyptic Covid-19 story, and a whole lot of 1990s Beat-‘Em-Up cheese. The characters are fun and world and its conflicts are better defined. I’m looking forward to what stage/book three holds in store for us and what things look like after success is achieved.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Arcadia Revolution is a fun fast paced read. The look back into the nineties and the things from that era also made it fun. I think I still have a few things from that time period. It might have made it better if I had read the first book but I don't think that is a requirement.

I received a copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewer for an honest review.

[Dan Stefanovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its main character may be outshone by the supporting cast, but Eric Jason Martin's "New Arcadia: Revolution" still offers a fun albeit trope-filled ride (especially in audiobook form), wisely dropping the over-the-top ’90s references in favor of more traditional genre beats, even if the result is a somewhat uneven narrative.

[John VanVugt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, I like the first book better but if you like that one you will enjoy the sequel. The audiobook is extremely well done!

[Timothy Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent sophomore outing of Eric Jason Martin. He uses real life experiences to bring his characters to life.

[Aaron James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came for the story and stayed for the epic '90s throwbacks. Can't wait to read the trilogy's finale.