The universe, skillfully crafted, presents a "main mission" so vaguely outlined that it leaves the characters with the role of sewing their own desires into the game, resulting in an unpredictable progression of the storyline. By following the individual stories and motivations of the protagonist and the captivating supporting cast, we are immersed in a disorderly and chaotic experience, authentically reflecting the real-life experience of exploring a complex game for the first time.
There are, of course, some milestones already set and others still obscure, demonstrating the untapped potential of that universe, but the story can be defined as the day-to-day life of players exploring the world, pursuing their objectives cooperatively or competitively, and even playing other games.
I believe that, even considering the already saturated genre of isekai productions and/or the exploration of VRMMO themes, there are few stories within this realm of possibilities that aim to portray the behavior and personalities of players in their natural online habitat as naturally and realistically as Shangri-la Frontier does.
The attempts of Sunrako to understand and break the logic of the developers ingame to achieve their goals are not rare, leading to a wide range of outcomes. Unlike other series, Shangri-la Frontier focuses on skill-based gameplay, not idealizing addictive elements. It showcases diverse player approaches and the success of balanced games in the long run.
In summary, Shangri-la Frontier is a passion-driven, well-balanced, and realistic gaming experience in form of a manga. A must-read for genre fans and those seeking a refreshing MMORPG story with beautiful action.
