https://www.scribblehub.com/series/...stellaris-tech-tree-in-star-rail-really-okay/ is an excellent example. Its not like I am expecting much from a fanfiction of a strategy game, but I am seeing this style of synopsis in a lot of places recently.
Based on the synopsis for which I have no more to go on than I noped out of the user interface of Stellaris when I tried to play it, I am aware that Honkai Star Rail *exists*, and that’s a couple of Chinese-sounding names in a xianxia classic format:
I liked the synopsis.
Genuinely, I think the intention is to impart the tone of the work; author seems like a fun person.
The story’s synopsis was handled amply in its title: this is the story of what if a character unlocked stellaris (a 4X game)’s tech tree in star rail.
This pulls in those who are interested in the concept; now the synopsis focuses on the style and character of the whole thing:
Tongue in cheek, takes itself unseriously, and looks fun.
Given I clicked on that link with absolutely zero interest in the story but now have a genuine desire to read it’s first chapter:
I dare say it succeeded.
Far from being cryptic: it is blasting us with exactly what we’ll see if we click on the link, which means that the author respects our time — and I appreciate that if nothing else.
So it would seem I fall victim to:
I have noticed a trend lately. There are a lot of stories that have these incomprehensible synopsis that are more like a series one line opinions that in world characters have of the protagonist. I find them unhelpful; they tell me little about the characters or the world they live in, or the tone of the story more generally. At best these synopsis describe some kind of gimmick that the protagonist calls their superpower. Does anyone here actually like this style of synopsis, or find it at all helpful when looking for a story to read? Also, I get the sense that this may be an import from the wuxia/xianxia genres, where a lot of cultural context is filling in gaps that western readers like myself may be missing, but is this actually where the trend started?
I guess I do like it.
I am remember this one, what is it called, multiverse massage? I have little interest in the story itself save for what those very ‘this fictional character says this of this other fictional character’ lines present:
The zanier, the better.
