I just finished reading, well listening, to Ready Player One. Before I get too far into my short spoiler free review, I would highly recommend listening to this book over reading it, Wil Wheaten reads it and it is amazing.
Do you like music from the 1980’s? What about movies from the 80’s? What about video games from the 80’s? Do you like just one of them or do you like the 80’s culture all together?
Well, Ready Player One is based in the year 2044; the world has been gripped by an energy crisis from the depletion of fossil fuels and the consequences of global warming, causing widespread social problems and economic stagnation. To escape the decline their world is facing, people turn to the OASIS, a virtual reality simulator accessible by players using visors and haptic technology such as gloves. It functions both as an MMORPG and as a virtual society, with its currency being the most stable in the real world. It was created by James Halliday who, when he died, had announced in his will to the public that he had left an Easter egg inside OASIS, and the first person to find it would inherit his entire fortune and the corporation. The story follows the adventures of Wade Watts, starting about five years after the announcement, when he discovers one of the three keys pointing to the treasure.
You might first be thinking, why would I read a book that is all about some game? The book is more than just about a game. It is all about an adventure, an adventure through a game with lots of material from the 80’s. It also is a thriller, action, heck even a love story. It touched lots of movies, games, music, and more.
As you read/listen to it, you will come to a realization to why the book is called Ready Player One and it is not what you think.
This book was so good; it just left you wanting more. I was disappointed when it ended, not because how it ended, but because I just want more. There are articles saying a sequel might be in the works. There is also a movie in the works that is supposed to be released on March 30, 2018 and it looks promising based on the trailer.
I highly recommend a read, well more of a listen. You can read and listen to it for free from 2 weeks, Hoopla & Overdrive. The only thing you need is a library card, which you can get from your local library. These websites work like your standard library, if someone else has it checked out, you have to wait until they are done and check it back in until you can borrow it.
I am not going to lie, after listening to this I want to hook up my Atari and start playing some old games! Ready Player One!