Empirical Endgame

Viridian Gate Online #8

by James A. Hunter, J.A. Hunter

The Darkling City has fallen, but its final Stronghold remains.

With the Reality Editor in hand, Jack thought the assault on Skalahólt would be a short victorious war, but his army has been stopped cold, and worse, someone close to him has been taken by the Overmind of Death. Every second counts if Jack wants her back alive, but to even have a chance, he’ll have to leave his troops behind and dive into Thanatos’s twisted game within a game.

Stranded behind enemy lines with only one shot at victory, Jack is faced with seemingly impossible challenges that will require him to think outside himself, to change, and even to lose. But as the puzzles take a new turn and the other Overminds finally reveal their hands, it soon becomes clear that more than just this battle or even the war is at stake. Eldgard’s future is being written in Jack’s every action and word, and the Travelers may not have a place in it…

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook

571 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 4, 2022

About the author

James Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Bibliomancer (The Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, an industry leader that specializes in publishing LitRPG, Fantasy, and selection Science Fiction.

James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.

Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com

Reviews

[Taylor-Leigh Derchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to this chapter. There is so much set up in this book for future stories so I doubt this will be the end forever. Plus there are so many side stories written by other within this universe, so I doubt this will be the end end.

I understood the reasoning behind everything that happened in this book with lots of info dumping and lore that I loved.

I normally reread the series before a new book but I didn’t think I needed to before this one and I maybe should have read at least the last one or two because it took me a while to remember things that happened. I remembered the big picture things but not the small details but the more I read the more I remembered.

I am always scared of a finale because I so often find them unsatisfying in their conclusions. This ended predictably perhaps but satisfying and like I said so many ways for spin-offs or continued series. Which maybe makes me more forgiving since there wasn’t an attempt to wrap everything up neatly.

[Crissy Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing end to this part of the series. Tons of action, a lot of answers, and more questions to make you hungry for the other series in this world.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack and his allies have decided to enter Thanatos's library with two objectives. To save Abby and save all those inside Viridian Gate online.

Empirical Endgame was the conclusion I expected more or less to Viridian Gate Online. I wish I could say that was a good thing, but it more a resignation to the facts. I feel like a person who entered a relationship expecting their partner to change and after years of waiting have resigned myself to the fact that the person I'm with simply will not change. There were no promises made so that's ultimately my fault expecting the book to be something it isn't: a series with strong characterization, compelling motivations, and inspiring dialogue.

I don't have a lot of good to say, but there are good things. Writing a book series is hard and the J.A. Hunter wrote an 8 book main series along with some side books (I didn't read the side books). He got them published and has readers who truly seem to enjoy it. That's awesome and praiseworthy for sure. He also put together some interesting ideas that kept me intrigued enough to finish the series even though I never found myself truly engaged in the way I would've liked to be. Kudos to the author for all of that.

As I mentioned earlier in this review and in prior reviews, my main issue has always been the characters. They never came remotely to life for me. I enjoyed the Void Terrors with their limited personalities, but the others didn't scratch any itch. Characters were also added and dropped quickly like the fairy from the world of order and Chief Kolle. For the exception of Chief Kolle many of these other characters didn't even merit mention as the story concluded. It is hard for readers to care about characters when the authors don't. If I don't care about characters in books like these I struggle to complete them.

To further my last point, the development of the antagonists has been lacking as well. It started with Carrera from the beginning. He was depicted as a bad Spanish man who cursed in Spanish. That was about it. Osmark was the bad billionaire businessman. Thanatos was the bad Overmind. The book tried to develop another bad Overmind towards the end without giving it any more room to stretch and grow. Simply labeling someone as bad doesn't move the needle. Truly inspiring antagonists have flare, life, and a relatable reason for their actions, but these antagonists lacked in those areas.

I hoped Viridian Gate Online would change into something more than it was, but in the end it couldn't come close to my expectations.

2.5 out of 5 stars

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great end to a really good series

I recommend all the books in this series except the healer trilogy--skip those three. All in all a well written story that takes you on a long awesome journey.

Overall I'd put it into the top 10 for best LITRPG series.

[Jack Vinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite a god.

One challenge with longer book series in this LitRPG genre is that the main character becomes god-like in their power level and capability. The same happens by this last book in the series, and the challenges scale to match of course. But this time the ending takes a slightly different turn and the main character gets to remake the world in some interesting ways.

This has been a good series, and I’ve enjoyed this main plot along with the additional stories that give more attention to the other characters.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow all readers who have been following the VGO series must read this final book as it is amazing. In this book Jack and Robert are finally working together, and they teamed up with a small group of trusted allies to bring Abby back from the dead. The team consists of Cutter and Amara, Otto and Jeff and all six of them enter the library which is Thanatos' domain in order to find the halls of the dead. This is a battle between our group of friends against the overmind of death, who is playing a game within a game. Thanatos has set out a number of quests which need to be met before the group can move to another quest and closer to their goal, and the riddles are very tricky and highly dangerous. However our friends are powerful and have their own bags of tricks to counteract. With each quest that they solve though it is obvious that Thanatos is out to teach them some lessons and that these are mainly targeted at Jack whose job is not over by far! Much is expected of him and he is his usual responsible self, doing always what he feels is right even at the expense to his own life! I loved the quests set for them and the riddles and the way finally Robert and Jack worked together for the common good. This is an ending we deserved as well as one which leaves so much scope for further books as a spin off but in the same world of VGO. I look forward to a new series!

[Kiba Snowpaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction
Viridian Gate Online #8: Darkling Siege by J.A. Hunter (released April 14, 2020) is the series pushing all its chips to the center of the table. This is full-scale war—no side quests, no leisurely lore strolls—just a desperate defense of the Crimson Alliance’s stronghold against the overwhelming forces of the Darklings. It’s LitRPG/Fantasy at its most militarized, where every mechanic, faction, and resource the series has introduced gets called into play. The hook? Hold the line or watch Eldgard burn.

Plot Summary
After escorting the Murk Elf refugees in Nomad Soul, Grim Jack and the Alliance finally have a fortified position—Stone Reach. But Thanatos’ Darkling army has arrived in force, and the siege that follows is a nightmare mix of MMO raid mechanics and real-time strategy attrition. Jack and his team must manage the defense, rally allies from past adventures, plug breaches in the walls, and survive wave after wave of increasingly dangerous assaults. Victory isn’t about taking the fight to the enemy—it’s about not being erased from the map.

The Author
By book eight, J.A. Hunter has built enough player memory that he can lean into payoff mode—this one pulls in characters, factions, and unresolved threads from across the series. He handles the logistics of large-scale battle surprisingly well, using LitRPG mechanics to give structure to what could otherwise become a chaotic blur. While still light on awards, Hunter’s skill in sustaining an eight-book arc without stalling is on display here.

Characters
Grim Jack: Operating as both commander and frontline fighter, juggling battlefield micromanagement with on-the-ground heroics. 
Cutter: Continues to deliver blunt-force problem-solving—an unstoppable presence in close combat. 
Amara: Steps into a more prominent strategic role, particularly in coordinating defense points. 
Supporting cast: Past allies reappear, from Murk Elves to human guild leaders, giving the siege a “final act” reunion energy. 
The Darklings: Function less as individuals and more as an unrelenting force—almost like a natural disaster given malicious intent.

Structure
The book runs like an extended raid event—preparation, siege onset, escalating waves, desperate gambits, and a climactic push. The momentum is relentless, with only brief pauses for regrouping or quick political huddles. It’s one of the series’ most linear entries, but by design—there’s nowhere to run in a siege.

Themes & Analysis
At its core, Darkling Siege is about unity under fire and the will to endure. The siege format forces every faction and personality to either cooperate or collapse. It’s also a study in resource management under extreme pressure—ammo, morale, time—all dwindling at once. Jack’s leadership is tested not just tactically but morally, as sacrifices become unavoidable.

Scenes
No romance—just battlefield bonds forged in fire. The most memorable moments are the “last stand” holds, the unexpected arrival of reinforcements, and the brutal attrition of seeing familiar faces fall. The finale is less about killing the biggest boss and more about surviving long enough to matter.

World-Building
Stone Reach is fleshed out as both a military fortress and a living community worth defending. The Darkling threat is expanded—more than just fodder, they employ siege weapons, magic bombardments, and infiltration tactics. Hunter also gives a sense of the wider war, with glimpses of battles happening beyond the reader’s immediate view.

Praise & Critique
Strengths:
- High-tension pacing sustained across the entire book.
- Satisfying payoff for long-running alliances and rivalries.
- Strong use of MMO siege mechanics in a narrative format.
- Emotional stakes from familiar characters’ fates.

Weaknesses:
- Extremely linear by necessity; no exploration or puzzle variety.
- Darklings lack individual villain presence.
- Minimal downtime may leave some character arcs feeling rushed.

Comparison
Compared to Nomad Soul, Darkling Siege is more intense, less exploratory, and far bloodier. It’s closer to Doom Forge in danger level but trades riddles for relentless combat. Against other LitRPG war arcs (*The Land: Raiders*, *Awaken Online: Dominion*), it keeps a sharper tactical focus with less emphasis on grand speeches or moral philosophy.

Personal Evaluation
From my alpha’s perspective, this is where the hunt turns into a stand. There’s no retreat, no kiting enemies into safer zones—you take the hit or you break. I liked the constant pressure and the reunion of past allies, but the lack of a singular, memorable enemy leader made the opposition feel more like a tidal wave than a cunning foe.

Conclusion
Darkling Siege is a pure war story in MMO terms—siege engines, choke points, morale meters, and the desperate gamble to hold until dawn. It’s exhausting in the right ways, delivering on the series’ long-game promises while setting the stage for whatever comes next. For VGO fans, it’s the big fight you’ve been leveling for.

Rating: 8.4/10 — A relentless siege that tests every alliance, with only minor cracks in its armor.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic Culmination

The grand finale of VGO certainly does not disappoint! It does a terrific job of reminding us what an incredible journey it's been and just how far they've all come, compared to where they all started. One of my favorite things about James Hunter is how consistent he is with his characters abilities and growing them and actually using them. It all builds to an unbelievable crescendo to this finale act as the stakes are raised even higher and the group is tested in ways they didn't even know was possible, seriously! All of it resulting in the epic culmination of an amazing series of world and character building, that I for one am sad to see end. However I am extremely satisfied with this perfectly imperfect conclusion. And a big thanks to anyone involved in its existence!! Thank you

[Omri Dallal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine ending to a good series.

I've been waiting for this book for a while now, somehow I missed that it came out and waited even more.

I got to say this is one of the first litrpg I encounter that think about the resources needed to operate this kind of system, but even took it further and thought about the long term effects of immortal beings coming to a "normal world" and starting to level up. I'm not sure the author solves this problem in a way that can fit other stories, but for this one it's a cool solution.

As for the story itself, lots of action, cool dungeon concept, and good feel ending. The "twists" tough, can be seen from a mile. And as for a story that keeps saying the MC is one step from aspechood, the way that bit ended is kind of lacking.

All in all 4/5 highly recommended series.

[Torvull Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to write this review spoiler free.

I like that there was hidden things in the game that were from the early alpha/beta/concept phases of the game that makes the future of the game and where the story could go more interesting. It was interesting enough to make it that I am not curious about some of the other series.

I also like that the game addresses the conceptual idea of what would you do with a game that becomes your life? Where NPCs don't respond but players/travelers can always respond. I like that the book tried to tackle that question by the end of the book.

I actually think Abby and Amara finally spoke, but I am not sure now that I am writing it. There are two key moments where I believe they talked or would have talked.

Overall, I think this was a fantastic series I would recommend in the Lit-RPG genre and even just the fantasy genre.

[Doug Sundseth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final entry in this series does a good job of providing closure to the story.

There is good character progression and interaction, there are believable an appropriate costs for the characters' actions, and there is redemption where appropriate.

The book is set largely in the alternate world invaded in the previous volume, and that world is used to give the characters a series of individual story challenges. This structure helps to break up what could have been an unending combat fest (which is unfortunately typical of last books in LitRPG series). The stories are varied and interesting, and I enjoyed each on its own terms.

The book and series are both recommended for fans of LitRPGs.

[Matthew Wentworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's funny that with all of the fantasy/science fiction series that I read (and I'm still not sure which genre LitRPG falls under), due to the fact that I lose interest, the books just take too long to be released, the series will just never end (looking at you, Craig Alanson), or the author just randomly stops writing (I miss you, Barry J. Hutchison), I rarely actually get to the end of a series.

The ending to the main series of "Viridian Gate" was perfectly satisfying. Nothing particularly groundbreaking, and the protagonist is still a little cookie-cutter for my taste, but still a more than worthy installment in a decent series.

[Dr. R.B. James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, Profound, and Great Fun

VGO is an incredible LItRPG romp throughout the entire series. It kept me captivated and even when I wasn't reading it I would think about the underlying plot and all the characters.

The ending of this arc was delightful. So many different threads came together to weave an incredible completion that leaves the reader immensely satisfied and yet still wanting more!
Like the perfect warm blanket on a cool winter's night, VGO and the Empirical Endgame will stay wrapped around my mind for a very long time.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The finale

A long time coming and a worthy wait as we see just what this chapter that we started so long ago ends.
With some very astute observations and a few intricate plots coming together ,this is just an end to a beginning and yet an amazing world that has become my favourite wish worthy LitRPG world to inhabit if I could.
This is why i became such a fan of these computer inhabited worlds and why Hunter is in the top of the genre as writing like this doesn't happen often.

[Fate's Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if it's because of how long it's been since I read the last book or what, but this story sort of starts in medias res and I never actually felt like I quite caught up to recalling what led them to where they were. As such I kind of lost track of the stakes and definitely struggled to feel connected to the characters. It got better for me halfway through as the story built up momentum, but a lot of things just ended up feeling too neat or convenient for me.

[Tom Petersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not compelling

At 76% I finally gave up. I liked the earlier books in the series, but like so many others it became stale as the books went on. Thankfully this is the final one, good choice there.
Synopsis: Stuff happens, McGuffin, more stuff, endless quest chain, the 'gods' act like jerks, random snark, taking self too seriously, extreme lack of interest, the end (for me at least). James, you have other series that are still going strong and am looking forward to them.

[Laura May · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final book on this series had a rough start - I had the impression the author was somehow bored of writing it, and that came across. Relatable, tbh. The pace picked up towards the end though, and the ending is ultimately satisfying. I was also glad to see an appearance of a location that previously only showed up in one of the short story collections.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long strange trip it's been, but here we are at the "end". There have been a few side-quests, but the main sequence events and characters are what I came for, and here we see the end of that arc. Writing is solid as always, and if you've made it this far you like what the author's done with the place. This shouldn't disappoint, while leaving another line of story potentially open.

[Herbert F. Gately III · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good ending to an Epic story

James Hunter has accomplished something that so many fail to do. Write a satisfying ending to an epic tail. The story is full of tension and is ended with just enough of an opening for follow on stories to be written. Thanks for the many hours of reading pleasure.

[James Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great end to the series.

This was a great ending to the series. Most books don’t leave you with a feeling of closure like this did for me. I was happy with how it turned out and loved the trip that got me there. I even like the idea of a spin-off that they left possible. I would recommend this whole series.

[Arabella Kuhrt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Wrap!

Hunter finished up this series leaving little question as to the directions his characters were heading. Every book in this series flowed easier than the previous book. This series is a pajama and popcorn night read when all the game servers go down for extended maintenance!

[John Stonebraker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying end to the series, with some thought provoking introspection as well. Although this series is tied off nicely, there’s absolutely room for additional books - including ones that occur after the events in this book.

[J.M. Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series changed me for this reason: you must do the RIGHT thing, not the EASY thing, even if everyone is against you. The theme was beautiful and real and spoke to the depths of my own personal beliefs. This is officially my favorite series I have ever read.

[Danny Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid ending to a great series. It is always bittersweet when a food long series comes to end and this book is no different. There are a lot of big surprises contained in this book. The end is very satisfying.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent ending to a fun series.

A satisfying ending to a fun, entertaining series. I enjoyed the wrap up of all the subplots and the few new twists. It didn't disappoint me as a fan of the series and the genre.

[Kristen L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic ending to an epic series

Loved every second of this series and the last book was no different. Honestly I am usually not satisfied by the end of a long series but this book did a great job tying up lose ends and leaving openings for the future. A must read

[Victor S · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great ending

I loved this series since book one. This book provided a very satisfying ending to a great journey proving sometimes less is more. Loved it and highly recommend all litrpg fans to read this series.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter created an interesting world with solid mechanics and lovable characters with Viridian Gate Online. Each book was entertaining, and the quality was steady throughout. I recommend this series to any LitRPG fan!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent ending?

I'm not sure if there will be more VGO in the future, but it is definitely left open. But even if not, I feel this is a satisfying ending

[Chris Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic continuation

This a great resolution tot he story arc and makes complete sense. Looking forward to the next wave of VGO