SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET

Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a fun action RPG with technical flaws holding it back from true greatness.

74%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, optimization

83% User Score Based on 6,056 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 26 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $4.58

Buy NowGet on Steam IDR340000 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET is a single player and multiplayer role playing shooter game with fantasy, warfare, anime and science fiction themes. It was developed by DIMPS and was released on January 18, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet" is a third-person shooter RPG set in the world of Gun Gale Online. As the protagonist, players can develop their avatar, master various weapons and skills, and embark on a hero's journey with a supportive AI, ArFA-sys. The game features co-op and PvP modes, allowing players to customize their characters and engage in thrilling battles. However, it does have its drawbacks such as grinding, bugs, and heavy advertisement. Overall, the game boasts an engaging story, excellent graphics, and wonderful music, making it a highly emotional and replayable experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET screenshot

Skip User Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,056 reviews

story569 positive mentions

grinding439 negative mentions

Easily the best Sword Art Online game with engaging gameplay and character customization.
Fun combat mechanics that blend shooter elements with RPG features, providing a unique experience.
Great for fans of the SAO series, offering a chance to interact with beloved characters in a new story.

The game suffers from a lengthy and tedious tutorial filled with excessive dialogue and cutscenes.
AI companions are often unhelpful and can hinder gameplay, leading to frustrating moments during combat.
The story is generic and heavily relies on fan service, making it less appealing for players unfamiliar with the SAO universe.

story
2,463 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
67%
10%
The story of "Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet" is a mixed bag, with many players noting its reliance on familiar anime tropes and a somewhat predictable plot. While some appreciate the opportunity to create their own character and experience a narrative that diverges from the main series, others criticize the dialogue-heavy storytelling and lack of meaningful choices that impact the outcome. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience for fans of the franchise, but the story may not resonate as strongly with those unfamiliar with the source material or looking for a more compelling narrative.
- “The story is very unique and I love how you can design your own character!”
- “The story is engaging and full of twists and turns, and the characters are likable and well-developed.”
- “The game captures the essence of the SAO universe, allowing fans to immerse themselves in its lore and experience new storylines alongside their favorite characters.”
- “The story overall has what seems to be a lot of filler or content that doesn't really make an impact.”
- “The story is somewhat bland, and I often find myself wishing for more engaging dialogue choices, like 'go to hell,' but instead, I’m limited to options like 'yes' or 'oh, yes, please.'”
- “The story is not interesting and the voice acting is not good either.”
gameplay
1,145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
49%
9%
The gameplay of "Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet" is generally praised for its smooth mechanics, engaging combat, and a unique blend of third-person shooting and RPG elements. Players appreciate the variety of weapons and customization options, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive and grind-heavy over time. While the game captures the essence of the anime, it suffers from issues like clunky AI and a lengthy tutorial that detracts from the overall experience.
- “Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet presents an ambitious fusion of the beloved anime series' narrative with action RPG and third-person shooter mechanics, delivering a unique twist on the franchise’s virtual world concept.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and satisfying, and the variety of weapons and abilities keeps things fresh and exciting.”
- “With its dynamic gameplay mechanics, diverse customization options, and engaging multiplayer modes, Fatal Bullet is a must-play for any fan looking to extend their SAO experience and embark on an unforgettable gaming journey.”
- “The gameplay is the same as looking at a video of paint drying but it is on loop; it is the same thing over and over and over again.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive even though there are a myriad of missions given.”
- “The gameplay itself is very well done and reminds me of the division but without a cover system, which is not needed because you always run around in a group of 4 (yourself included).”
graphics
498 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
47%
5%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant character designs and anime aesthetic that effectively capture the source material. However, several players note that the visuals feel dated compared to contemporary titles, with some describing them as reminiscent of older console graphics. While the art style is appreciated for its charm and potential longevity, issues with optimization and a lack of advanced graphical settings detract from the overall experience.
- “The graphics were a pleasant surprise – each location is detailed, and the atmosphere of the futuristic world is immersive.”
- “The graphics are amazing; I can see how much hard work it took for it to be like this, and I am grateful to have found this game.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, and like most RPGs, I enjoyed the freedom the game gives you to play with your own style.”
- “Graphics are okay, though they seem a bit old for a 2018 game.”
- “Graphically, even by 2018 standards, it was behind on appeal as other anime IP games had already figured out how to bring 2D to 3D.”
- “The graphics are very smooth and are pleasing to look at, but the environments are terribly lacking.”
grinding
450 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it can be excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game where farming for levels, gear, and character affinity becomes a significant time investment. While some players find the grind enjoyable and rewarding, especially when paired with engaging gameplay and customization options, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making progress feel artificially prolonged. Overall, the game is best suited for those who appreciate grinding as a core element of their gaming experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “If you are a big GGO fan like me, then this game is a must to buy. It's worth the full price in my opinion, but it's still better to wait for a discount for the complete package. If you aren't a GGO fan and don't follow the anime, I still recommend this game to you. It's fun, and newcomers who don't know anything about SAO or GGO could still adapt to the story and gameplay.”
- “The game isn't too grindy; 30 minutes roaming in some fields should do leveling just fine, but the only annoying thing to grind is NPC affection.”
- “First, I have to survive through nearly 1 hour of cutscenes with barely any action, only to realize it's just mindless endless grinding and micro-managing your stats, items, skills, team, and all the whatnot the game throws at you.”
- “The grinding system is very boring with the same maps, enemy positions, and unworthy dropped items.”
- “The end game for this game is boring grinding for levels and equipment.”
music
145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the standout tracks and dynamic compositions that enhance the gameplay experience. While some find the soundtrack immersive and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others criticize it for being inconsistent or forgettable, particularly in certain contexts like combat. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a solid aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall enjoyment despite some noted shortcomings.
- “The game’s soundtrack and voice acting are standout features, faithfully recreating the emotional and atmospheric tone of the Sword Art Online franchise, further immersing players in the world.”
- “There's a lot of great tracks ranging from character themes to atmospheric music as you wander the maps, that transition into sick guitar versions as you enter combat.”
- “The music is amazing, and gets better with every new locale.”
- “The plot is nonexistent, the characters all look and sound the same, the soundtrack is something worthy of an elevator, and the graphics are anime-videogame 101.”
- “The background music ranges from forgettable to ear-grating.”
- “My only problem with this game was the soundtrack; while it isn't bad, it just pales in comparison to Hollow Realization's in my opinion.”
optimization
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in 4K resolution and on lower-end systems. While some users experienced smooth gameplay with high settings, others noted that the game felt poorly optimized, resembling a mobile port, and required extensive tweaking to achieve acceptable performance. Overall, the consensus indicates that while the game has potential, its optimization leaves much to be desired, impacting the experience for a considerable number of players.
- “The game is very well optimized for my computer (GTX 1050 Ti and 8GB RAM) as I can run it at max without any kickback.”
- “Good optimization up to 1080p, easy to maintain 60 frames on high with my i7 4790k and my GTX 1080.”
- “Performance has been excellent, I've been running max settings 1080p with a locked 60fps, no dips.”
- “Bad optimization all around, plus in cutscenes the FPS is locked or lowered sometimes, and then after the cutscene it won't fix itself and your game will remain locked.”
- “The optimization for this game is terrible.”
- “Worst optimization I've ever seen in a game. Wow, good game though.”
humor
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it relatable and entertaining, particularly in character interactions and dialogue, despite some moments falling flat or being overshadowed by gameplay frustrations. Players appreciate the quirky AI behaviors and glitches, which can be amusing, though they also note that the humor can sometimes be unintentional or tied to the game's shortcomings. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it adds a layer of enjoyment for those familiar with the genre and its tropes.
- “The dialogues are genuinely hilarious, the action is fluid and pretty, the backgrounds are gorgeous and the soundtrack is kinda weak, but efficient enough (except for the opening, which is great).”
- “I was constantly either laughing at the humor, smiling at the cuteness, or intrigued by the mystery/drama.”
- “The friendly AI in this game is hilariously bad; some of the worst friendly AI in a long time, and friendly AI is renowned for being trash.”
- “It's not funny to talk with every NPC just to walk.”
- “I am so far above minimum specs it's not funny, and the game looking how it looks still brings my GPU to its knees... like what happened in development that made this play that bad... oh, Unreal Engine 4, why am I not surprised.”
stability
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
2%
92%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including freezing and erratic AI behavior. While some find humor in the glitches, others express frustration over game-breaking problems that hinder progress. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with varying experiences depending on individual playthroughs, leading to mixed recommendations.
- “The game isn't buggy or anything, though I guess things could always be worse.”
- “The third-person MMO style gameplay is smooth and mostly bug-free.”
- “The graphics are good, and I have encountered no glitches or slowdowns in frame rate so far.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy, and every time I try to change my profile, it freezes.”
- “Gameplay is amazing, but the AI can be a little buggy in combat, which wasn't a constant problem for me.”
- “So in the current state that the game is in, I would not recommend it simply because it is like flipping a coin whether you'll get a buggy experience or a bug-free experience.”
replayability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
7%
Overall, the game's replayability is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the multiple endings, diverse content, and customization options that encourage exploration and varied playstyles. While some reviews note that certain aspects, like story repetition and enemy variation, can limit replay value, features such as new game plus modes and additional difficulties enhance the experience for those seeking to replay. Many players find the game engaging enough to return to multiple times, with some estimating playtime exceeding 100 hours.
- “Still, fans will appreciate the effort to expand on the lore of GGO and the inclusion of multiple endings, which provide replay value and encourage players to explore different narrative branches.”
- “There's plenty to do, different difficulties, and replayability.”
- “The NG+ only content adds a good level of replayability, and finally getting the good ending was truly a rewarding challenge.”
- “Though I will say the replayability is very low with this one as you just restart the story with the monster level scaled up.”
- “The story is long enough for the sale price of the game, however replay value isn't great (just replay the same main story over and over and over).”
- “However, Death Gun was just a little bit underwhelming, suffers a bit in replayability, and there isn't that much enemy variation.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
44%
24%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the depth and background provided for key characters, while others criticize it as shallow and poorly integrated into gameplay. Many feel that character interactions are often limited to lengthy dialogues and cutscenes, detracting from the overall experience. Despite the appealing character design and customization options, the consensus suggests that character development lacks the engagement and depth expected, leaving some players disappointed.
- “If you are the type that appreciates deep lore and good character development.”
- “Character development in my opinion is pretty good as the game itself will tell the backgrounds of some important characters, that is of course if you haven't watched the anime.”
- “The story is very intriguing, and the character development is brilliant; the story is also fairly long, though sometimes it can feel a bit repetitive; however, taking breaks helps reduce that feeling.”
- “Well, we have some brutally long story moments and dialogue, bland environments, and some shallow character development with the SAO cast we often buy these games for.”
- “Character development certainly happens, but it will feel random and sudden.”
- “It's also frustrating that you're introduced to 20+ characters as party members for your game, but other than easy and linear 'dating sim' scenes, there are no cool in-game quests, no side quests of any consequence, and no real character development whatsoever.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful soundtrack and voice acting, which enhance the immersive experience within the Sword Art Online universe. Players report feeling deeply connected to the characters and their stories, with some moments eliciting strong emotional responses, including tears. However, the overall narrative quality is mixed, with some finding it lacking in depth and engagement, while others appreciate the heartfelt interactions and emotional weight of certain choices.
- “The game’s soundtrack and voice acting are standout features, faithfully recreating the emotional and atmospheric tone of the Sword Art Online franchise, further immersing players in the world.”
- “Damn... I never thought I would write a review about a game that made me cry the most when losing someone.”
- “This game made me cry three times in a single night, two times because I went on both paths of choosing Kureha and Zeliska if I didn't want to continue the story based on Kirito's perspective.”
- “A boring story that promised that the choices you make would make a difference; they did not.”
- “Outdated graphics, boring story, but I love it, simply because it's Sword Art Online, and this is the only game that I could feel like being in the world of VRMMO among all other SAO games.”
- “Unless you're a huge SAO fan, the boring story, quests, and gunplay won't hold your interest.”
monetization
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
94%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating it as a departure from typical cash grab models associated with the franchise, while others criticize it for still feeling exploitative due to its design flaws and reliance on ads. Despite these concerns, many players find enjoyment in the gameplay and customization options, suggesting that the overall experience may outweigh the monetization issues. Notably, there are no significant microtransactions or DLCs, which is seen as a positive change.
- “No annoying microtransactions, no unnecessary DLCs (except for the preorder bonus of the silver and gold skins).”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't disrupt the gameplay experience.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without forcing players to spend extra money.”
- “Clearly, I like the idea of anime shooters, but this is a cash grab. Childish, busty, unrealistic characters with constant enemies just different levels and stats. I bought the complete edition for $25; the price alone does not justify how the game is even designed.”
- “It feels like a cash grab when glaring issues like this exist in a game that's meant to piggyback off a well-known anime franchise.”
- “All the advertisements are straight-out lies.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The game's atmosphere is largely praised for its immersive soundtrack and detailed graphics, effectively capturing the emotional tone of the Sword Art Online franchise and the darker, tactical setting of Gun Gale Online. While many players appreciate the atmospheric music and engaging environments, some criticize the repetitiveness of gameplay and a lack of variety in design, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a strong point, though opinions vary on its ability to maintain immersion throughout.
- “The game’s soundtrack and voice acting are standout features, faithfully recreating the emotional and atmospheric tone of the Sword Art Online franchise, further immersing players in the world.”
- “The graphics were a pleasant surprise – each location is detailed, and the atmosphere of the futuristic world is immersive.”
- “There's a lot of great tracks ranging from character themes to atmospheric music as you wander the maps, that transition into sick guitar versions as you enter combat.”
- “The game atmosphere can feel a bit drab, with not enough variety in its design.”
- “The story tries to convey emotions, but the game is awful at it due to a lack of atmosphere, with elements that make no sense and break immersion.”
- “The atmosphere gets you in, but it ultimately falls short.”

Skip Critic Reviews

65%Critics’ scoreBased on 26 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET

23h Median play time

86h Average play time

10-85h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 52 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET

72%1.4kreviews

Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization

2017

Casual Role Playing

61%2.2kreviews

SWORD ART ONLINE Alicization Lycoris

2020

Role Playing

72%620reviews

Sword Art Online: Lost Song

2018

Role Playing

79%3.7kreviews

GOD EATER 3

2019

Role Playing

76%6.9kreviews

Tales of Zestiria

2015

Open World Role Playing

More games like SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET is a role playing shooter game with fantasy, warfare, anime and science fiction themes.

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 86 hours playing SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET.

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET was released on January 18, 2019.

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET was developed by DIMPS.

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization, SWORD ART ONLINE Alicization Lycoris, Sword Art Online: Lost Song, GOD EATER 3, Tales of Zestiria and others.

SWORD ART ONLINE: FATAL BULLET

Platforms