I loved it against all odds
Seriously, this is one of the most complex plots I've seen in cdramas, but surprisingly it didn't turn me off - the mystery was unraveling slowly but steadily, and while sometimes (most of the times) I had no idea what was happening and why most of the characters did what they did, it was still a captivating watch.
I have to mention the stellar cast first - if not for the actors, the drama wouldn't have been so captivating. XuKai gave his very best performance playing not one, but two characters. He and Esther have a lovely chemistry that is sweet and innocent, like teenage love, which I found beyond cute and amazing to watch. Wan Peng was great playing Luo Zhaoyan, her brother was equally great, and deliciously evil and bad (although very caring, and yes, that's a thing). Luo Zhaoyan and Xian Qing (the demon-wolf) had amazing chemistry and a kind of more mature romance unfolding, which I'd love to see more of, but after all, the series is more about fighting and solving the mysteries than anything else. All the supporting characters and their stories were also great to watch.
Maybe the plot is more coherent for people who actually played the game, but for me, as a viewer, it was a bit too much of unfamiliar lore that was laid out in bits and pieces and we just had to roll with it, taking things as they were. In the end, everything kind of made sense (at least, all the mysteries were explained). Still, some characters had very questionable ethics, doing lesser evil for the sake of the greater good, which has never turned out good, like ever. I'm sure there could be less messy ways to do things and save all the realms. Still, it all made sense, I just wish there were fewer character deaths, they were really heartbreaking to watch.
But I do recommend this drama to everyone who is thinking about whether to watch it or not - there are too many good scenes and plotlines in it. If you don't mind being in the dark for most of the series, wondering what on earth is going on there and why the main lead has a twin, then you're all good. The OST is lovely, all the music is great, the acting is superb, and the couples are super cute. There are quite a lot of funny moments at the beginning of the drama, but then things get dramatic pretty fast. I cried a few times, so be prepared for that, too.
I have to mention the stellar cast first - if not for the actors, the drama wouldn't have been so captivating. XuKai gave his very best performance playing not one, but two characters. He and Esther have a lovely chemistry that is sweet and innocent, like teenage love, which I found beyond cute and amazing to watch. Wan Peng was great playing Luo Zhaoyan, her brother was equally great, and deliciously evil and bad (although very caring, and yes, that's a thing). Luo Zhaoyan and Xian Qing (the demon-wolf) had amazing chemistry and a kind of more mature romance unfolding, which I'd love to see more of, but after all, the series is more about fighting and solving the mysteries than anything else. All the supporting characters and their stories were also great to watch.
Maybe the plot is more coherent for people who actually played the game, but for me, as a viewer, it was a bit too much of unfamiliar lore that was laid out in bits and pieces and we just had to roll with it, taking things as they were. In the end, everything kind of made sense (at least, all the mysteries were explained). Still, some characters had very questionable ethics, doing lesser evil for the sake of the greater good, which has never turned out good, like ever. I'm sure there could be less messy ways to do things and save all the realms. Still, it all made sense, I just wish there were fewer character deaths, they were really heartbreaking to watch.
But I do recommend this drama to everyone who is thinking about whether to watch it or not - there are too many good scenes and plotlines in it. If you don't mind being in the dark for most of the series, wondering what on earth is going on there and why the main lead has a twin, then you're all good. The OST is lovely, all the music is great, the acting is superb, and the couples are super cute. There are quite a lot of funny moments at the beginning of the drama, but then things get dramatic pretty fast. I cried a few times, so be prepared for that, too.
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