The Arcane Gunslinger

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2021

Author

Bjorne

• 1.
  Nov 1, 2021
• 0. prologue
  Oct 31, 2021

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• highblast21Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  As I'm an old crab I've played some of the ancient classic crpg like fallout and of course the all time fav Arcanum. Reading this brings me back to that game of Gunpowder and Sorcery. Aside from this since not alot of authors write western genres here in RR, I like the different setting.
  Written mostly in first person POV so alot of show not tell which is a plus. Also I just like guns and steampunk meshed in a Sword and Sorcery theme. Some interlude chapters also tell some of world activities to break the rpg monotony. Overall it's a good start.
• MikasaneRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Spoiler Free Review
  What happens when you isekai a sci-fi space marine into a system-based world in the wild west era with dungeons and monsters? Well, the answer is an excellent and well-executed story. Arcane Gunslinger starts at a comfortably slow pace, drawing the reader in with a slow drip of information. As it progresses, the story quickly gains a familiar western vibe that is only enhanced by the LitRPG system. If you're a fan of westerns and LitRPGs, I would highly reccomend giving this story a shot.
  Style: The story reads quick and snappy, rarely lingering on thing and instead opting to keep the plot moving and cementing the action-adventure feel. Combat and social situations are well balanced, and the combat reads well. My only critiques are perhaps a bit of my own personal preferences. I would personally like to get a better grasp on the system, mostly on how important stats are and something to reference how well the main character's own stats measure up. Also, a fight scene was skipped, and while I would have personally liked to read it, it was also difficult to understand there was a time skip. There a few other points where this happens, especially when there is a switch in perspectives. The fight scene themselves are quick and to the point, sometimes resulting in a disconnected, more analytical feel. This is more a stylistic choice than anything else, and my only real critique is that I sometimes felt myself losing the sense of "danger." It does, however, works in cohesion to produce a steady pacing no matter the situation.
  Story: The story so far hasn't been anything on a grand scale, but it doesn't need to be. Mostly, this story seems to be aiming for a daily life/growth based storyline. The plot points that are written are done so well, easy to understand with hints of complications and background information that feels both realistic and intriguing. Plot developments are well timed and interesting, adding complications to further develop the comp
• OwlishRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  English and grammar are fine, maybe a few mistakes but nothing major. Writing is great except maybe around combat.
  I really like the worldbuilding and characters. MC is a likeable guy, trying to figure out what he can do. The main conflict in town is between one large powerful family and the Sherrif. Pretty common trope, and Will Granny shoot the MC again? is always a hoot.
  The writer has a planned release schedule. Give it a try!
• Scout_90Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  While it does appear this story isnt likely coming back in future dont let it dissuade from reading it!
  It has a great format and a great isekai western style thats certainly a refresh from the usual medieval period stories.
  A shame its no long being updated but still defiantly worth a read.
• StriderfighterRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Man, I really enjoy this story. I like the setting. I like the main character. This is a good spin on the RPG genre. I look forward to seeing how the interlude will eventually tie into the main story. The grammar is pretty good. Couple mispellings... Nothing too crazy or jarring
• 1Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  A classic LitRPG setup with an Isekai into a world with a system regulating growth and combat. Main character has a unique approach to this, as he would rather stick with guns than use magic. Setting is pretty obviously inspired from the Wild West, but it's not too over-the-top, so I appreciate it. Pretty fun overall, with a likable main character and a flowing prose, if a bit rough around the edges. Thanks for continuing this story!
• ErnieMRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Loving this series. A great combination of Western themes and gun play with magic and LitRPG elements. Enjoyable character.
  I was worried about his warning that the MC will take some time to get adjusted. He does, but it doesn't interfere with the story and isn't a huge issue. It is well written.
  Please Bjorne come back and write some more chapters!!!
• SoothSeerRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  As others have said, the main issue with the story is the main character. There's nothing too bad about him, but he is a little bland. There's a weird dynamic where he's supposed to be a 30 year old space marine in a 19 year old magic cowboy's body, but I rather feel like he acts like a typical 19 year old. To be fair to the author, it's a complicated dynamic that's hard to pull off.
  Rest of the story is still very good. Definitely binge-worthy. As far as larger story goes, not sure what the larger picture is but I'm enjoying the ride.
• KahunabobRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  Edit: story sofar ended after chapter 38. Last update as of now was 20/22 months ago. Looks like it got abandoned just when the writer was hitting his stride. According to comments on the last chapters, there was a lot of critique, deserved or not, but it did tank the writer's enthusiasm for the story.
  Original review:
  I'm currently on chapter 22. This is a slower burning LitRPG set in a western world. Honestly, I haven't found a lot of those in a western setting. Makes for a fun change of pace.
  I feel we're still kind of in the world building / setup stage. The world seems to be a place that's around our world's late Victorian / Industrial revolution era, mixed with a leveling system and magic.
  Skills seem to revolve around doing something enough to make it kind of a routine and then a skill unlocks. Classes seem to resolve around the kind of experience you had before. The writer translated our Isekai'd MC's previous line of work into something fitting for the western setting pretty well.
  I haven't figured out where the small town politics that's playing out in the part of the story I'm in fit in to the greater narrative, but it's interesting to mosey along for the ride.
  I do hope MC grows his character a bit. He's very much still on the "man lost in time and space" trope. I haven't really seen our MC have an impact on this world yet. It's going to be fun once he figures out how to use our level of tech, his sci-fi tech and translate it to the western setting this story takes place in.
• Oliver LawsRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 4.0

  Style: For the most part I really enjoy the style. Dialogue is snappy and fun, albeit a little stiff in places, but solid all around. The flow is smooth and the action especially is very well done.
  Grammar: On point. Few minor mistakes here and there but never anything major.
  Character: I've seen a few other people comment on this, but the main character is a little bland. He is supposed to be an experienced marine but a lot of that doesn't ever come up. It would be fun to see him compare the situations he's thrust into to his experiences as a space marine more often. It just feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. He does make some confusing decisions too which can get a little frustrating, but he's overall pretty likeable despite this. I just wish certain things were expanded upon further with him and we got to see his thought process as a marine explored in more depth. I get that it would take time for him to adjust to this new world and accept what is happening, and I'm really glad he didn't just show up and immediately understand, but I think a better balance could have been struck.
  Story: I enjoyed the story but it does feel a little lacking in terms of higher stakes. I think more should be setup early on as currently it's difficult for me to tell where things are going. All the weird west tropes and the actual world are fantastic however. I'm personally not a big fan of LITRPG, but I found the elements weren't too overwhelming here so no complaints there. Establishing a clear direction and some goals early on would be my recommendation for how to improve it.
  Overall, a lot of fun. Not enough fantasy westerns on the site and I do love the twist of the main character being a marine. I'll be interested to see where it goes as I keep reading, and hope the sci-fi elements creep in a little more.