Murazukuri Game no NPC ga Namami no Ningen to shika Omoenai
The NPCs in this Village Sim Game Must Be Real!

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It has the elements of a portal fantasy and done by an author with an obviously voyeuristic streak. This is The NPCs in this Village Sim Game Must Be Real!

Main character Yoshio thinks he's beta testing a new computer game, but the characters are so real, and there's the warning that came with the warning to keep quiet about this game; if all his characters die, it's game over, for real.

It really feels like an isekai, but the main character never stepped over that door to the new world, but instead is stuck in the mundane world, where he has to keep on living as ... a recluse in his parents' home, a man beaten by society, someone the Japanese call, a hikikomori.

It is really interesting to see what would happen next in this villager simulation, and what the main character would do to keep the game playing. See how Yoshio, little by little, overcome his social anxiety, so that he could earn the cash to spin the gacha element in the game. When you see gacha, and pay-to-win elements in a game, this is definitely a story written by a Japanese author. As Yushio slowly integrates back into society, he gets to find his footing, and it really helps that his family is supportive. As a reader, you get to cheer both for Yushio and the village he is building in his game.

Those who regrets something wishes to change it. I agonize about the past and my current situation because that is something I don't like or even hate it. We can't change the past to fit our wish, the past is something we're familiar with, the present we distain and the future that scares us; that is exactly how our main character feels and lives. But why can he change, and not us?

Art - 8.2/10
The art is consistently strong, effectively capturing both the emotional tone and atmosphere of the story. The story is filled soft slice of life panels in addition to action-packed panels with detailed ... illustrations to emphasize strength, urgency or horror.

Story - 8.4/10
The story seems quite simple, and it is: a shut in starts playing a random game and it appears that the people in the game are actually real. The author could've left it alone just there: have our main character try to make the villagers happy or content and we'd also be content, and he does that, but better.
The story is something I believe would hit close with many: a failed man at the center of the story with mistakes and regrets just piling up with no sight of it stopping.

The villagers are faced with hardships and our main character is just watching there: starting at the monitor and be able to influence them little by little to progress the game further. But why would they progress? Why would the villagers in a game be able to progress? Why is it that they can overcome their hardships and not him?
From observing the villagers our main character he concludes that he is worthless, while some character in the game has actual importance around them. Our main character observe the villagers' behavior, their bravery and their drive to survive and uses their drive to push himself further; encouraging him to improve and be better. He found a fuel to drive himself forward, he found people that faced hardships, he found role models to be a human: striving to be better.

Characters - 8.4/10
The characters in the story felt like humans: with their own aspirations, emotions and stories. We could place ourselves in any of these characters and pass them as the protagonist of their own story. I believe that the interactions and behavior from the characters is what elevated the story to further levels.

Personal View - Very good.
I actually read around 5 chapters a few years ago and I'm happy that I dropped it: because otherwise I wouldn't understand a good story of someone who has regrets but finds that the people around him are able to look past his troubles and help him to be better. The small changes for our main character, just going outside, going to the store, anything that we just deem as a daily task is incredibly challenging for him. But what he finds is something that is able to put his mind off the negative and regretful thoughts and strives to help others while improving himself.

Overall - 8/10 or is it?
I'd say 8/10 is a fair assessment, the story, art and character is well rounded and would at least make it to 7.6/10 for those who are unable to relate to the story further than just to appreciate it at face value. But for people who relates to having regretful thoughts and is every day attempting to change and improve may view it in a better way.
I'd actually like to see a continuation of this story: for our main character to improve, understand the world of the game while helping the villagers survive.

This manga is very lovely and heartwarming, and worth the read if you are looking for a motivational and endearing tale. I do have a couple of issues with it though.

As for what to expect, there is a great story with a main character who will experience a lot of character growth, and it isn't forced or given to him with no work. He pushes himself out of his comfort zone and works for his development. He's a likable character despite his initial flaws. The side characters all have lovely interactions and I felt connected to them. I found this manga incredibly heartwarming and inspiring, ... especially as someone who has struggled with depression and self-isolation in the past.

As for critiques, I found the characters to be a little flat. Some of the side characters weren't very fleshed out. The two girls in the game world only had two personality traits; working hard and fighting over a big brother figure in a weirdly romantic way. I'm not a fan of incest so the romantic innuendos made by the sister and a literal child sister figure were a bit uncomfortable to watch. Plus there is a scene where the main character's sister offers to kiss him and he peeps on her showering. Ick. I liked the other characters but they were all a bit bland.

The story was good and wrapped up most of the loose ends aside from one. It was a little bit predictable; there was only one thing that surprised me. Most of the time it's just relaxing and doesn't have stakes. However, compared to most isekai that is the norm. They hinted at a second series, but it seems the author currently has no plans to go through with this.

Overall, a good, comfy read that most will enjoy, just keep in mind the incesty stuff is there and it can ruin the positive points of the book for some.