Title

Shangri-La Frontier

Also known as: Shangri-La Frontier: Kusoge Hunter, Kami ge ni Idoman to su, シャングリラ・フロンティア〜クソゲーハンター, 神ゲーに挑まんとす〜, ShanFro, ShangriLa Frontier: Shitty Games Hunter Challenges Godly Game, Shangri-La Frontier เมื่อนักล่าเกมขยะ ท้าสู้ในเกมเทพ, 香格里拉・開拓異境~糞作獵手挑戰神作~, 샹그릴라 프론티어

by Ryousuke Fuji, Katarina

Score from AniList: 81/100releasing

Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Sci-Fi More like Shangri-La Frontier

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Second year high school student Rakuro Hizutome is interested in one thing only: finding "shitty games" and beating the crap out of them. His gaming skills are second to none, and no game is too bad for him to enjoy. So when he's introduced to the new VR game Shangri-La Frontier, he does what he does best—min-maxes and skips the prologue to jump straight into the action. But can even an expert gamer like Rakuro discover all the secrets that Shangri-La Frontier hides...? (Source: Kodansha USA)

Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 4/5

A gleefully nerdy virtual-reality adventure about a gamer who min-maxes his way through a huge, secret-filled game, with a lot of humour and an itch to explore.

Pros

Fun, gamer-focused premise with real energy
A huge, secret-filled virtual world
Clever humour that rewards gamers

Cons

The game mechanics can be dense for non-gamers
The long run can feel repetitive in its grinding

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Read the full take

Shangri-La Frontier is a gleefully nerdy virtual-reality adventure with a premise that will delight gamers. A high-school student who loves finding bad games and beating them skips the prologue of a new VR game and throws himself straight into the action. His min-maxing skills are second to none, and the game's world is huge, full of secrets and surprises. The humour is sharp, and the series rewards players who enjoy digging into mechanics. The energy is high, and the sense of discovery is contagious. The honest cons: the game mechanics can be dense for readers who do not play, and the long run can feel repetitive in its grinding. Some fights follow similar patterns. Still, it is a fun, energetic read for anyone who loves the thrill of a deep game. If you enjoy the joy of figuring out a system, this is worth a look.