After our columns on the latest news Omaké Books or Delcourt/Tonkam, back on a French shonen available for several years at Ki-oon, Outlaw Players ! Warning, risk of SPOIL.
Outlaw Players T01
Outlaw Players is a French series by Shonen, an author who has previously drawn BB Project, Omega Complex and Lords of Chaos. Ten volumes are currently available from Ki-oon. The T11 will be released on 01 July 2021.
In Thera, a revolutionary ultra-realistic online game with an almost infinite universe, everyone can become what they want and live incredible adventures!
But for Sakuu, the first immersion turns into a nightmare: unable to disconnect, he finds himself trapped in a virtual world populated by bloodthirsty creatures! Without access to the game's interface or healing items, who knows what will happen to him if he loses his life in Thera… And he is not the only one in this situation: his path crosses that of other players victims of the same problem. For these Outlaw Players, game over is not an option. Whatever the cause of the bug, Sakuu and his companions have no choice: they must toughen up, explore, learn, and above all… survive!
A scenario already seen, but still pleasant!
Indeed, Outlaw Players plunges us into the world of video games and more specifically in that of RPGs. Our hero, Sakuu, joined the game to please one of his friends. However, the surprise is big when the latter finally realizes that he can not disconnect. Indeed, Sakuu does not have access to the interface of the game. Various elements are then unavailable to him, such as the use of care in particular. This feature is reminiscent of various works released in recent years, including Sword Art Online, the best known. However, it's important to point out that Outlaw Players was originally released before Sword Art Online. We follow our hero through various adventures, each more dangerous than the last. However, no monster in particular to defeat, no game master on the horizon forcing players to complete the game, just a bug. Indeed, we learn from the beginning that a bug has occurred for a number of players and that the publisher of the game is doing everything possible to remedy the situation. Help avatars are also available to help stranded players survive as long as possible. It can also be noted that the author gives a number of details about the game in question. Indeed, the latter presents us the different classes of characters available on Thera, as well as items or relics. These details made us want to learn more about the universe of the series. The references related to comics, manga and the world of video games also make this first volume very attractive. Finally, Shonen has managed to alternate phases of fights, where seriousness and rigor are required, with more flexible scenes, where humor and comedy are highlighted. These transitions are very well done since the scenario remains well paced, without length or empty passage. The only negative, so to speak, is the overload of dialogue on some pages. Indeed, although it is not an obstacle to the understanding of the story, some characters have very long lines and this can break the rhythm of reading.
Breathtaking graphics!
The graphics are for us the strong point of this series! Indeed, these are really made in a very meticulous way, with a lot of details and allow you to dive into the heart of this new world that is Thera. In addition, the mangaka managed to play on his pencil stroke to change the mood of some pages. Whether for a darker atmosphere during combat, or more flexible during more comical moments, it is not difficult to feel what the author wants to share. The characters are also very rich in detail. Whether through armor, relics or their facies, Shonen has done an incredible job and each box is a gold mine for those who like to appreciate the details of a work. The fight scenes are no exception and are also very satisfying. Whether by the discovery of the monster, or the action set up to defeat it, again, the details are not lacking and make the fights powerful and alive. Finally, some pages of this first volume are in color, which is very appreciable, let's face it. Although the theme is not unique since it has already been treated many times, Outlaw Players remains a work that will be one of our favorites! The author offers us a first volume of quality, both by a well-paced scenario and by breathtaking graphics. If you like shonen mixing action, magic and humor, we invite you to discover this series quickly.
