Alright, I'm giving up on Renewal for now. Made it chapter 37, but I'm barely halfway through the story because of how long the later chapters are.

I've bitched enough about the excessive flashbacks, the contrived and conspiratorial backstory, and the inconsistent depiction of the antagonists. But one other thing that's been bugging me is how 'tech-heavy' the story is. I didn't like it in The Chrysalis, and I don't like it in Renewal. Ponies having technology powered by gems and magic spells feels more whimsical and 'fun' than just giving them modern tech. Especially if that tech is more advanced than what's depicted in the Fallout universe. Renewal asserts that Equestria has a fucking internet, that not only links every Stable ever built with each other AND the outside world, but which survived intact for CENTURIES after the bombs fell. And nopony noticed except the Enclave. Riiight...