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The NPCs in This Sim Game Must Be Real! Light Novel #1
The NPCs in this Village Sim Game Must Be Real! (Light Novel) Vol. 1
What IS Real?
Yoshio is thirty years old, and his life is a mess. A shut-in living with his parents, he has no job, no relationship, and no prospects. When he receives a new sim computer game that boasts characters created with a new kind of A.I., he doesn't think much of it--until he gets drawn into a fantasy world so vibrant and lifelike that its residents can't just be game characters. Suddenly finding himself the benevolent god of a scrappy fantasy village is a lot for Yoshio to handle, but it might be the key to the change he is desperate for.
Yoshio is thirty years old, and his life is a mess. A shut-in living with his parents, he has no job, no relationship, and no prospects. When he receives a new sim computer game that boasts characters created with a new kind of A.I., he doesn't think much of it--until he gets drawn into a fantasy world so vibrant and lifelike that its residents can't just be game characters. Suddenly finding himself the benevolent god of a scrappy fantasy village is a lot for Yoshio to handle, but it might be the key to the change he is desperate for.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2021
23 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 30, 2024
This was an excellent read. Unique twist of the isekai trope. I really like how the MC H was spurred to make something of himself when he saw the villagers so dedicated to working and I like how respect is given to those who clean for others.
Cleaning sucks and it’s not easy work. I respect those who do it as a daily job. I’m glad they are given respect in this book.
Ends on a slight cliffhanger, can’t wait to see what happens and I hope the village survives!
4, solid entry in a genre that is over saturated with middling books, stars.
Cleaning sucks and it’s not easy work. I respect those who do it as a daily job. I’m glad they are given respect in this book.
Ends on a slight cliffhanger, can’t wait to see what happens and I hope the village survives!
4, solid entry in a genre that is over saturated with middling books, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2022
I am having a hard time putting into words how much fun I had with this book. The book is episodic as the story progress chunk by chunk. You want to see the main character grow as a person and learn to overcome the last ten years of living as a shut in. Layered on top of this is just enough fantasy with the connection to the sim game that it never feels like the main character is turning into a wish fulfillment type. The world building for the game in the story is strong without becoming cumbersome or bloated. The writer leaves just enough evidence that you know how the world works but aren't confused when some of the rules of events get complicated. The introduction of the Beastfolk that look like red pandas was fun. The illustrations have strong line art and look great along side the events as they happen. I am very excited to read the next one.
December 20, 2022
What a delightful surprise.
This story is not an isekai. The main character isn’t a teen or young adult in a fantasy world. He’s a 30 year old shut in who uses a video game to gain confidence in changing his life where he reconnects with his family.
The fantasy setting in the game isn’t exciting. There are no grand battles or swelling world building. The game itself is as engrossing as a slice of life anime.
You come to care for all the characters. Each has a unique personality that you want to see thrive.
And it ends with potential for something bigger.
It was also a really easy quick read. Took about 4 hours to finish it.
This story is not an isekai. The main character isn’t a teen or young adult in a fantasy world. He’s a 30 year old shut in who uses a video game to gain confidence in changing his life where he reconnects with his family.
The fantasy setting in the game isn’t exciting. There are no grand battles or swelling world building. The game itself is as engrossing as a slice of life anime.
You come to care for all the characters. Each has a unique personality that you want to see thrive.
And it ends with potential for something bigger.
It was also a really easy quick read. Took about 4 hours to finish it.
November 19, 2021
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is so far one of the most unique light novels which I have read this year. The premise is simple enough, older shut in living in his parents' home lives to play video games and nothing else, until her finds a unique game that changes his world view completely. With the insane amount of isekai novels that I have read this year, it's nice to read something that while vaguely isekai like is still an interesting reads and a very unique setting. Can't wait to read the next volume as soon as it's available here in the US!
August 26, 2025
The NPCs in this Village Sim Game Must Be Real! Vol. 1
Strengths
Emotional depth: The novel realistically portrays depression, isolation, and the slow process of healing through newfound responsibility.
Unique premise: Instead of power fantasies, it focuses on the emotional impact of choice and connection.
Character growth: Yoshio’s gradual rediscovery of empathy is handled with sincerity, making him a deeply relatable protagonist.
Weaknesses
Pacing: The novel sometimes drags during slower village-management segments, which may test readers expecting more action-driven storytelling.
Repetition: Some of Yoshio’s internal monologues can feel overly drawn-out, hammering home points already established.
Ambiguity: The lack of clear explanation behind the “game’s” origins may frustrate readers who want concrete answers.
Rating
Hirukuma’s The NPCs in this Village Sim Game Must Be Real! Vol. 1 is a fascinating and emotionally charged take on the isekai and simulation-game genre. Instead of centering on a hero transported into a fantasy world, it tells the story of Yoshio Kōsaka, a middle-aged shut-in whose life has spiraled into despair. When he receives a mysterious copy of a “Village Simulator” game, he expects a distraction from his meaningless routine. What he doesn’t expect is the game’s uncanny realism — its NPCs feel alive, their emotions genuine, and their fates entirely dependent on his choices.
At its core, this novel is less about fantasy mechanics and more about human connection, responsibility, and redemption. Yoshio, who has long abandoned real-life relationships, is forced to confront his own failures as he becomes invested in the survival and happiness of his simulated villagers. Watching him care about others again — even in the context of a “game” — is both heartwarming and painful, because readers sense the deep well of loneliness he has been drowning in.
This is not just a story about gaming; it’s about empathy, accountability, and finding purpose in unexpected places.
Strengths
Emotional depth: The novel realistically portrays depression, isolation, and the slow process of healing through newfound responsibility.
Unique premise: Instead of power fantasies, it focuses on the emotional impact of choice and connection.
Character growth: Yoshio’s gradual rediscovery of empathy is handled with sincerity, making him a deeply relatable protagonist.
Weaknesses
Pacing: The novel sometimes drags during slower village-management segments, which may test readers expecting more action-driven storytelling.
Repetition: Some of Yoshio’s internal monologues can feel overly drawn-out, hammering home points already established.
Ambiguity: The lack of clear explanation behind the “game’s” origins may frustrate readers who want concrete answers.
Final Verdict: A surprisingly moving and thoughtful exploration
of loneliness and responsibility disguised as a simulation-game isekai.
It’s less about fantasy escapism and more about finding meaning in connection.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (4 out of 5 glowing stars)
September 14, 2021
Unique Isekai, which acts more of a slice-of-life story about a thirty-year-old NEET’s struggle in life after giving up job hunting and his awkward relationship with his family. The scene is set out with Yoshio, receiving a video game from a mysterious video game developer to act as an alpha game tester. The video game itself turns out to be a simulation to establish a village, and act as their ‘God of Fate’ with only five people, brother & sister: Gams the swordsman and (bro-con) Chem the priestess; and a family of three: husband and wife, Rodice and Lyra, and their seven-year-old, Carol.
Before long Yashio, gets obsessed with the game’s characters and his responsibilities as their deity, because it’s game over if the village is obliterated with no restart (wow that’s kinda crappy if you ask me), but here’s the catch: to protect his people he needs to conduct ‘miracles’ which requires in-game-currency called ‘Fate Points’, which is gathered with his village’s prayers and praise, but to obtain more is through micro-transactions. Literally the FP is super expensive, 10FP = 1000 Yen, but anyway at least convinces this NEET to become a part-timer later on.
To summarise, I was very engrossed with reading this light novel, not because I assumed it was likely an Isekai premise, but more-or-less I realised it was a touching tale about a guy who lost confidence in himself to finally get back into society and rebuild his connections with his family. Can’t wait for the next volume for this unique entry in the Isekai genre to continue.
Before long Yashio, gets obsessed with the game’s characters and his responsibilities as their deity, because it’s game over if the village is obliterated with no restart (wow that’s kinda crappy if you ask me), but here’s the catch: to protect his people he needs to conduct ‘miracles’ which requires in-game-currency called ‘Fate Points’, which is gathered with his village’s prayers and praise, but to obtain more is through micro-transactions. Literally the FP is super expensive, 10FP = 1000 Yen, but anyway at least convinces this NEET to become a part-timer later on.
To summarise, I was very engrossed with reading this light novel, not because I assumed it was likely an Isekai premise, but more-or-less I realised it was a touching tale about a guy who lost confidence in himself to finally get back into society and rebuild his connections with his family. Can’t wait for the next volume for this unique entry in the Isekai genre to continue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2024
Its a very basic book, about how a neet (a person with severa trauma enclose into their own room and can't funciton in society) suffer and what its needed to grow, sometimes, its just a small thing. A small push, a small sense of satisfaction/triumph, or in this case, a very simple videogame.
And outside of the story of the game, its a very poignant story about how trauma can shape our lives, how wanting to be better is not enough to get better. I don't like how the moral of the story is in part "stop being lazy and work" to the problems of the MC, but this is a very japanese story and in many asian countries (and around the world, to be honest) there is still a lot of stigma about getting psychiatric help and using medicines, so what can we do.
The main point for me to give it 2 stars instead of 4, is that I read the manga first. And the manga is so good. Its a shame that it ended incomplete (unless the LN actually ended in that way, which if it is, man what a bummer), but everything that the LN is doing the manga did it better. It doesn't even have more information or dialogues, which tend to be the rule with adaptations from LN, so anything that you get from the LN, you get from the Manga and its just better.
So 2 stars in here.
And outside of the story of the game, its a very poignant story about how trauma can shape our lives, how wanting to be better is not enough to get better. I don't like how the moral of the story is in part "stop being lazy and work" to the problems of the MC, but this is a very japanese story and in many asian countries (and around the world, to be honest) there is still a lot of stigma about getting psychiatric help and using medicines, so what can we do.
The main point for me to give it 2 stars instead of 4, is that I read the manga first. And the manga is so good. Its a shame that it ended incomplete (unless the LN actually ended in that way, which if it is, man what a bummer), but everything that the LN is doing the manga did it better. It doesn't even have more information or dialogues, which tend to be the rule with adaptations from LN, so anything that you get from the LN, you get from the Manga and its just better.
So 2 stars in here.
August 14, 2021
The protagonist Yoshio is a 30-year old shut in who still lives at his parents place together with his younger (adult) sister. One day he gets a computer game, The Village of Fate, supposedly as a price. The village builder simulation game has remarkably realistic characters and the NPCs make him care about themselves and give hem the courage to slowly deal with his real life.
The story consists of two sections, the protagonists real life and the village in the fantasy setting. It is an intriguing set-up, and I enjoy the characters (especially those in real life) even though as of yet the villagers are a bit simplistic including sticking to a trope or two. The "game" part is a bit too simplistic though, and the fantasy setting a bit odd. Both make sense if the goal is to help the MC deal with his real life, but it made it a bit boring for me. For a gamer, even one that cares about the NPCs, he is a tad too cautious as well. The survival of the village depends on one person, and yet he keeps just doing nothing until the last moment.
In the end, I did reasonably enjoy the story although a few times I was struggling to continue. I am curious where things are going to.
The story consists of two sections, the protagonists real life and the village in the fantasy setting. It is an intriguing set-up, and I enjoy the characters (especially those in real life) even though as of yet the villagers are a bit simplistic including sticking to a trope or two. The "game" part is a bit too simplistic though, and the fantasy setting a bit odd. Both make sense if the goal is to help the MC deal with his real life, but it made it a bit boring for me. For a gamer, even one that cares about the NPCs, he is a tad too cautious as well. The survival of the village depends on one person, and yet he keeps just doing nothing until the last moment.
In the end, I did reasonably enjoy the story although a few times I was struggling to continue. I am curious where things are going to.
June 22, 2024
Extra-light novel
Yoshio is a 30 year old NEET. One day he receives a copy of a game called Village Of Fate (are physical PC CDs still a thing?)
It’s not actually a village sim at all. It’s a “God game” (a genre that needs reviving imo) which plays almost exactly like a more complex and realistic Godville.
It’s fine. Very light read. Unique premise. The writing’s meh. The plot’s meh. I dunno if I have it in me to read two more books of this. But the premise alone deserves 2⭐️. I love God games.
Yoshio is a 30 year old NEET. One day he receives a copy of a game called Village Of Fate (are physical PC CDs still a thing?)
It’s not actually a village sim at all. It’s a “God game” (a genre that needs reviving imo) which plays almost exactly like a more complex and realistic Godville.
It’s fine. Very light read. Unique premise. The writing’s meh. The plot’s meh. I dunno if I have it in me to read two more books of this. But the premise alone deserves 2⭐️. I love God games.
August 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. The mix of slice-of-life, modernity, and fantasy was refreshing.
The characters were relatable and realistic. The MC's desire to change and rectify his relationship with those he loved was heartwarming and brought me to tears at points. He was willing to try, which was all his family wanted. They wanted him to live, to regain that spark of life he once had, and the game gave that to him.
The characters were relatable and realistic. The MC's desire to change and rectify his relationship with those he loved was heartwarming and brought me to tears at points. He was willing to try, which was all his family wanted. They wanted him to live, to regain that spark of life he once had, and the game gave that to him.
December 18, 2023
Being reminded of reality is not my main goal when I choose my poison.
Personally, I haven't been out for a while. Finding this manga in such a perfect time is a God sent.
Thinking you're a failure and can't even stomach to eat with your family is so heavy.
For someone whos future is in the grave. This manga is both enjoyable and an eyeopener.
Personally, I haven't been out for a while. Finding this manga in such a perfect time is a God sent.
Thinking you're a failure and can't even stomach to eat with your family is so heavy.
For someone whos future is in the grave. This manga is both enjoyable and an eyeopener.
June 20, 2025
The realization creeping up on him that he's not just "playing" god is handled well. And getting to see our protagonist heal & reconnect with the people who care about him, and following along with his village getting itself together is uplifting. Though he maybe stews too much about not pulling himself together sooner/faster/better.
February 14, 2024
Pretty unique story of a thirty-year-old Japanese shut-in who receives a disk for a mysterious game that seems almost a little too realistic, and how his experience with that game bleeds into his real life. Look forward to seeing where it goes!
November 7, 2024
What an amazing start to a series!
I was rooting for the protagonist's growth the entire read.
Without going into spoilers, and this isn't hyperbole- this book could change the perspective and life of a shut-in NEET.
I was rooting for the protagonist's growth the entire read.
Without going into spoilers, and this isn't hyperbole- this book could change the perspective and life of a shut-in NEET.
July 9, 2025
A nice book of a person learning how succeed in life through a simulator game, a great small scale book without any big things going on.
the game itself is really weird and shows glimps of something big happening in the next books but it's not the main plot yet
the game itself is really weird and shows glimps of something big happening in the next books but it's not the main plot yet
September 12, 2021
Unique otherworld tale
Love the mix of real world and fantasy world, perfect. Can't wait for the next volume. Isikai fans will love it.
Love the mix of real world and fantasy world, perfect. Can't wait for the next volume. Isikai fans will love it.
November 3, 2021
I found myself rooting for the main character, even though the plot is fairly rudimentary.
December 31, 2021
A very unique storyline, which involves two different worlds. The characters was relatable and develops throughout the story. It was very interesting
October 2, 2022
So much better crafted than the webnovel version. Very nice 👌
December 28, 2022
Nice and light story to read, but have important lesson too.
July 24, 2023
Så lättsam bok! Har du någongång fastnat för ett tv-spel så kommer du kunna relatera till MC i denna boken. Kommer köpa de andra volymerna i denna serie
May 4, 2024
Unexpectedly thoughtful story of a 30 year old NEET trying to find motivation to do better. Not what you'd think when you see the title lol.
July 26, 2024
One of those books which is impossible to put down. I had an amazing time with this one and just like the main character in the book, lost track of time during reading. Unique and fun light novel.
August 28, 2024
Loved the mixture of gaming, fantasy and reality!
February 26, 2025
6/10 Fun little Manga series about how a game help improves a guy's life nothing too special but it's completed and doesn't drag on forever like many Manga series
August 25, 2025
259 pages not 320
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews