Decim

I recently binged the last three volumes and genuinely enjoyed each one too much to even rate them separately. While many readers might dismiss Volume 6 as a filler, I'd say otherwise. It actually gives us a glimpse into Ray's real life and hints at the possibilities of him forming connections beyond the world of 'Infinite Dendrogram'.

The reveal of Shu's true identity was also a great twist, and it made me curious to learn more about their older sister and the lore surrounding their family.

That said, I do wish there was less unnecessary chatter and undermining of Nemesis. I wanted to see more of her growth and evolution into her later forms.

One thing I appreciated was Rook's previous job changing to Lost Heart, since that fixed one of my long-time icks with the series.

Overall, while a few side stories dragged and felt like background noise, the main plots and quests remain engaging and full of energy. The series captures the feeling of playing through an MMO perfectly, from being a total noob to unlocking a superior job. I'll definitely keep reading to see where the adventure goes next.

After just two days of reading, I am completely hooked and already binged three volumes.

The events in this volume had me glued to the pages. The twists and turns caught me off guard, but in hindsight, they made perfect sense and added a lot of weight to the story.

I loved learning more about the characters. Even though, as the author mentioned in the afterword, Ray did not get much action this time, it did not bother me at all. The introduction and backstory of Marie made this volume more than worthwhile.

What I cannot stand though is Rook's job being called "Pimp." He is such a gentle and comforting character, and slapping that label on him is just distasteful. Out of everything else the author could have chosen, this one feels lazy and downright insulting. I do not know if it is a translation issue, but the constant reminder of it gets under my skin and undermines what Rook actually does. I just hope his job levels up soon so this nonsense does not get mentioned again.

This is what SAO wished it could be. Instead of another “isekai'd into an MMO” story, Infinite Dendrogram nails the immersion and worldbuilding. Honestly some of the best I have seen in RPG-style light novels and anime.

What really hooked me is the protagonist. He is empathetic, respectful, and refreshingly free of the usual “pervy MC” tropes. As a reader, you get to step into the game alongside him, a complete newbie, discovering the systems, the dangers, and the wonder of the game environment for the very first time.

The “Embryo” system especially reminded me of playing Path of Exile for the first time, that same thrill of the unknown, of not knowing what build or outcome you will get, and how every choice branches into unique gameplay.

I also love the role of the control AIs. They do not just feel like background code, they are practically alive, with their own consciousness and decision-making. It is not far from how AI is creeping into our lives today and the story hints that this will only deepen as the mysteries unfold.

The slice of life touches, cooking, casual banter, small character moments, balance out the big fights and strategy, giving the story a sense of warmth amid the adventure.

TL;DR: An immersive, thrilling VRMMO read. Imagine Ready Player One but with richer game mechanics and the thrill of discovery you would get from Path of Exile. If you want an RPG world that feels alive, expansive, and full of potential, this is it.

I love how this volume continues to show that Ray, despite acquiring unique skills, his Embryo, and encountering lots of UBMs, is not an overpowered character and still has much to learn. Being a reader really feels like you are on the ride with him as he continues to unravel Dendrogram's mysteries.

My favorite part of this volume is how we finally get a preview of what kind of older brother Shu is. It is refreshing to see him portrayed as a cool, kind, and motivational brother instead of the usual trope. We also get some background on other side characters, which adds more depth to the story. These details make Infinite Dendrogram even more entertaining and exciting to read.

Read this at work. It was trash but I kept reading anyway. Entertaining (?) garbage.

The author with his "masked and unknown" persona is what gives this gimmicky, convoluted book a 2 stars lol.