Tidal Lock

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Humanity has finally taken the next step into space. Governments run research stations throughout the solar system while private enterprises mine asteroids for rare metals and exotic minerals. However, space remains beyond the reach of the everyday person. In contrast, virtual reality technology has led to an explosion of full immersion entertainment for the average consumer, and many people turned to VR for the thrill of spaceflight.One game, Parallax Gate, lets its players experience living in an interstellar civilization. For maximum realism, its developers created a world solely defined by the players' personal skills and ability.Mark Asami, a student of aerospace engineering at MIT, dreams of bringing spaceflight to the masses. To his disappointment, his first year courses barely relate to his interests, so he passes time as Aero Rayne in Parallax Gate with his roommate and their organization, the Temple Wraiths. Before they realized, a chain of in-game events drew them deeper into the game's world and politics than they ever intended to go.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2015
Author: ResonantIce

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 2,643
Views: 928,470

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

yonell9Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story is good. Few grammar mistakes but acceptable level. But seriously there's little space VRMMO story here in RRL. Hope you go a long way with this. AND PLS.. MORE!!! chaps.
IliadRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I don't normally review unfinished works but this is amazing. I have no idea how much is accurate since I don't science very well but the attention to detail is superb. I was thinking of a VR interstellar story but couldn't figure out how I'd make game mechanics work, and now I feel blind for not seeing it, just because it's a game doesn't mean it needs all the usual game mechanics since it is VR extra emphasis on the R. I also liked it so much I read through all the chapters once I found it at like 11 pm, it is now about 5 am.
JoeyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First a bit about the story:
One of the few stories on this website where I got the feeling that the author really knows his stuff and can also write
If you are looking for a VR Sci-Fi story, this is it
The VR part makes sense, there is a life outside of the game, it has got cool action and likeable characters
Give it a go
Now on a side note:
Its really awesome that the author kept writing even though there was a pause of more than a year :D
Thank you so much for that!
KbnnfxRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Imagine EVE Online with full VR in a world not unlike our own; now add a crew of ever so slightly socially inept MIT freshman and a full supporting cast including excitable teeny boppers, roleplaying space pirates — and one Alf:
Not only is this a welcome departure from the standard Gary Stu based Wuxi that litters this site, but the world building itself is refreshing in that it that doesn’t completely leave the bounds of reality behind or subscribe to the infallibility of a genius MC. Most characters have real potential and I’m looking forward to seeing the development of the entire Wraiths team as they learn to come together against the other Dominions and the challenges of developing a new world in game, and the difficulties that come with your first four years in University in the ‘real world’.
All in all a great fiction and I can’t wait to join the characters as they journey from Frosh until they get their Brass Rats…
NarksTvRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Ive not read a story with this style or one that focuses on the battle part of space the few that are like this don't focus on what this one focus on and truthfully in less than 10 chapters im already loving this one more so ya thanks
P.S- you have taken the spot of favorite author on this site congrats AND I LOVE THIS THING
SciFiAddictRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’m enjoying the story but there seems to be a little something missing, which I haven’t figured out yet. I don’t like the Sid character and I can see him becoming the villain of the story. I keep expecting to see some kind of practical link made between the game world and MC’s studies and future profession, but so far that hasn’t happened. In fact it has been the reverse with the MC pointing out how the game world is unrealistic.
An update to my earlier review. The MC just used his real world skills to make a superior space station in the game world.
bobbybirdbobRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
TL;DR - You enjoy yourself reading this story. The setting and plot is complex, but the story is told in a bold and simple way, makin the reading experience easy but engaging. You will want to take your time reading instead of skipping to the "good parts" because every paragraph is good. The story is well thought out.
Style: The author is economical in his writing. Point is, no words are wasted and you can understand the reason why each part is there, whether it be character development, plot enhancement, foreshadowing , or world building. It just makes sense. When I do find myself asking questions, it's because I'm trying to unlock the mysteries the author has laid out for me. I don't find myself becoming confused because of his writing style. It is clean and easy to understand. I can 'hear' the author's voice as plain as day.
STORY: Goddamn I wish I wrote this one but I know I wouldn't be able to pull it off. The author does us all the favor of launching straight into the story. He doesn't put in an unecessary prologue or battle scene with no context. It's insane how he managed to pull off that first chapter. That first chapter is simultaneously a personal conflict to the characters and an introduction to how deep and expansive the world is. What's even crazier is he does this each chapter. Even while the story becomes more complex and involves more moving parts, as a reader, you still feel like you can keep up. You never feel lost. He never breaks the internal logic of his story, which I am very thankful for. He has combined tactics, strategy, character drama, tension, action, and politics like a pro.
Grammar: Nearly perfect. No purple prose. Simple and straight forward.
Character: This is where the good stuff is. Yes, the setting and plot are top notch, but it's the characters who drive it forward. From the start to the current chapter, each character has their own voice. Without describing their physical features, you have a clear understanding of who each c
gnarlytreemanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
i really liked the change of pace. the writer has done a very good job of presenting viewpoints from different members, and showing differences in personality.
Yes continue to write this i want more
simonferryRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I have not read such stories for long time, and I am very happy that I found this one)
Hero FodderRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
This story takes readers on an exhilarating journey into the vastness of space where the human spirit soars among the stars. It's a tale of dreams, technology, and the blurred lines between reality and the immersive world of VR.
In a future where governments explore the solar system and corporations mine asteroids, space remains a distant realm for the everyday person. Yet, the allure of space is palpable, and people seek solace in the virtual cosmos. "Parallax Gate," a VR game, offers players a chance to live in an interstellar civilization shaped by their skills and abilities. Here, we meet Mark Asami, an aerospace engineering student whose academic pursuits barely align with his dreams of democratizing space exploration.
The story's style is unpretentious yet effective, akin to a steady current guiding you through the narrative. It maintains a seamless flow that immerses you completely. The breaks in the text provide welcomed respites amid the action and plot, allowing readers to savor each scene.
Though the game carries no real-life consequences, it skillfully captivates readers by making them root for the protagonists' in-game ambitions. There are an abundance of scenes that exemplifies the depth of the characters' commitment, elevating their goals from mere aspirations to causes worth defending. This emotional investment is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess.
The grammar is impeccable, a testament to the author's attention to detail. It's a rarity to encounter such a well-edited piece in the online literary world.
The narrative unfolds through a limited third-person viewpoint centered on Mark. This narrative choice allows the author to craft characters with nuance, revealing their personalities as Mark gets to know them. It's an artful portrayal of how individuals perceive one another, giving readers a glimpse into Mark's own character as well.
However, while the characters are distinct, they could benefit from further development. More interacti