SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 545 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • grinding
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream Game Cover
While I wouldn't say Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream breaks the mold, it does a lot of cool things that are worth experiencing. The wide range of characters, coupled with a plethora of stats create an experience that encourages players to give it their all. This, coupled with thrilling modes like co-op quests makes it an experience that might not reinvent the wheel, but it is a lot of fun with plenty of room to grow.
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"SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream is a new entry in the series, offering a fresh start with the Galaxia system. This RPG allows players to reexperience past SAO games in a new way. The Deluxe and Premium Editions come with DLCs, early access, and bonus costume sets."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 545 reviews
story76 positive mentions
grinding65 negative mentions
  • The game captures the essence of the SAO universe with engaging combat and a variety of characters, each with unique abilities.
  • The multiplayer experience is fun and allows for large group raids, enhancing the overall gameplay.
  • The graphics and animations are impressive, making the game visually appealing for fans of the series.
  • The game suffers from repetitive gameplay and grinding, with limited content and missions that can feel tedious over time.
  • There are significant issues with camera control and targeting, making combat feel clunky and frustrating at times.
  • The presence of microtransactions and a battle pass system can detract from the overall experience, leading to concerns about the game's long-term viability.
  • story345 mentions

    The story in "Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it decent for an anime game, particularly noting its engaging plot and character interactions. While some appreciate the unique twists and the ability to unlock characters through the story mode, others criticize the repetitive mission structure and tedious grinding required to progress. Overall, fans of the franchise seem to enjoy the narrative, but the gameplay experience can feel monotonous and lacks variety.

    • “The story is unique enough to have kept me quite engaged.”
    • “This time around the story takes place after the main anime, so they had a ton of freedom to really do something they wanted here, which really shows.”
    • “The main story is quite engaging and I do enjoy it overall.”
    • “The story mode drags on for hours and is just repeatedly fighting groups of the same 7-10 enemies from game start to game finish with the bosses being the only real unique experience of any mission.”
    • “The story is incredibly mediocre, but the missions themselves are fine.”
    • “The exploration in the story map feels very restrictive, limiting your ability to wander freely and enjoy the world.”
  • gameplay95 mentions

    Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of enjoyment and frustration, with many players noting input issues, clunky mechanics, and repetitive mission structures. While some appreciate the simple mechanics that allow for diverse builds and a fun co-op experience, others criticize the lack of polish, inconsistent hitboxes, and a grindy nature that can lead to boredom. Overall, the gameplay is seen as solid yet flawed, appealing primarily to fans of the franchise rather than newcomers.

    • “Simple game mechanics make it easier to create numerous types of builds.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun and addicting.”
    • “Great mechanics especially for keyboard, good progression system and an interesting story.”
    • “Charge attack inputs drop frequently, making gameplay feel frustrating at times.”
    • “Okay, first off I need to rant about how terrible the PC port of this game is, because the performance and gameplay issues are my biggest personal complaints.”
    • “The gameplay is hit or miss; the camera is worse.”
  • grinding65 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, particularly before reaching player rank 85, where players often find themselves stuck in a cycle of completing the same missions and farming the same bosses for gear and experience. While some players appreciate the diverse character abilities and find enjoyment in the grind, many feel that the lack of variety and the slow progression can make the experience feel more like a chore than fun, especially for those who are not fans of grind-heavy gameplay. Overall, the game appeals to dedicated grinders but may deter those seeking a more dynamic and engaging experience.

    • “Grinding before reaching player rank 85 feels tedious and repetitive, with only two main missions to rotate between to maximize experience gains.”
    • “The game is also extremely grindy, which wouldn't be a problem if the game was fun.”
    • “By the time you reach max level, you are most rewarded for grinding out the same boss raid which rotates bosses each day.”
  • monetization26 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a cash grab due to its $60 price tag combined with in-game microtransactions for cosmetics and a battle pass. While some users appreciate that the microtransactions are purely cosmetic and reasonably priced, the presence of day-one DLC and the perception of a grindy system have left many feeling exploited and dissatisfied with the overall value of the game. Overall, the monetization approach has contributed to a negative impression, with players expressing concerns about the game's content and quality relative to its cost.

    • “The in-game purchases are reasonably priced.”
    • “I've seen people complain about microtransactions which blows my mind since they are purely cosmetic and cheaper than most games being at $10.”
    • “Plus, I've only seen microtransactions for in-game costumes so far, which is a nice change!”
    • “So far the game feels very empty, way overpriced for what it offers. They tried to pull a Blizzard by adding microtransactions, but at least any Diablo base game is far better than this poor attempt. If this is the best SAO games can do, then it's no wonder why the last games were so bad and why the game is dying so fast.”
    • “If this was a free game I wouldn't mind as much because that's sadly the norm in video games, but for a full-price game to have a store, battle pass, multiple currencies, etc., is just a cash grab.”
    • “While the transactions are only for cosmetic items, it still feels like a blatant cash grab after you’ve already spent your hard-earned money on a subpar game.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and vibrant character models that enhance the immersive experience, particularly for fans of the series. However, others criticize the graphics as outdated or bland, comparing them unfavorably to more recent titles and noting that they do not meet the expectations for a modern game. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good for an anime game, they may not impress all players, especially those seeking cutting-edge visuals.

    • “From the moment you step into the game, you're immersed in a beautifully crafted world filled with stunning visuals, epic battles, and a gripping story that keeps you hooked.”
    • “Incredible graphics: the environments are breathtaking, with detailed landscapes, vibrant towns, and fluid animations that bring the world of Aincrad and beyond to life.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, with vibrant environments and beautifully detailed character models that bring the SAO universe to life in a way that fans of the series will truly appreciate.”
    • “Poor quality: the graphics, gameplay mechanics, and overall polish feel outdated or incomplete.”
    • “Now I do have some complaints about this game; first, the graphics are on the low side for a 60-dollar game. However, when it comes to action animation, that's where their budget truly shined.”
    • “Graphics look like a 2010 PS2 game.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and seamless transitions between themes, enhancing the overall experience. Many players appreciate the nostalgic elements, noting that it closely resembles the soundtrack of the anime and previous games in the series. However, some users expressed disappointment over certain missing tracks and the high cost of the soundtrack bundle, suggesting it may not be worth the additional expense.

    • “Let me gush about the music first as a review opening: it loops seamlessly, and the field-to-battle themes blend and change very well without playing back to the beginning!”
    • “The music itself is great all things considered.”
    • “Music: it's pretty similar to the anime and fits well in most scenarios.”
    • “They even reused some of the soundtrack from some of the older games.”
    • “Music in general can be hit or miss; for instance, Lakeside Woods's BGM didn't initially catch me when I first heard it during the online mode, so I was worried about the BGM quality at the time.”
    • “Why did you make Yuna mute? It's only just a few seconds; why not include a cut of her music?”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues, particularly on high-end PCs, and noting that it seems better suited for controller use. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay on lower settings or specific devices like the Steam Deck, others highlight frequent frame rate dips and a general lack of polish. Overall, the developers appear to be responsive to optimization concerns, with ongoing updates aimed at improving performance.

    • “Steam Deck runs this great, online works well, frame rates dip a little in a couple odd spots like one forest section, but otherwise even hectic 20-player boss fights don't see any noticeable performance drops.”
    • “Well optimized, runs great on my aging PC.”
    • “Occasional minor bugs and performance hiccups, but nothing game-breaking, and the developers seem committed to addressing these issues quickly with regular updates.”
    • “Okay, first off, I need to rant about how terrible the PC port of this game is, because the performance and gameplay issues are my biggest personal complaints.”
    • “It runs very poorly even on high-end PCs due to the optimization of the effects, rendering, and the game's CPU usage.”
    • “This game looks like it was purely optimized for controller users, and while I've played both keyboard and mouse with a controller, it still feels lacking.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The game's humor is a mixed bag, with players enjoying the comedic elements of the story and character interactions, particularly the absurdity of the plot and the inclusion of quirky characters. While some find the humor engaging, others criticize the nonsensical aspects and repetitive gameplay, suggesting that the comedic elements may not be enough to sustain interest in the long run. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its lightheartedness, but it may not appeal to everyone due to the game's other shortcomings.

    • “The funny part is that they're not even a DPS character like a rogue or a mage, they're a support and a tank.”
    • “I am able to play as a funny magic lady with big hair who can fly, shoots big lasers, drops a funny sword man on people, and is voiced by Maaya Sakamoto (Jalter and Dao my beloved).”
    • “It's so funny they included Llenn in the story, and there's Eugeo and Quinella; all of their interactions are so interesting.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and lag, particularly in the multiplayer mode, which is essential for accessing most content. Issues such as character freezing and inconsistent input recognition have been highlighted, although some users note that the game runs well on their systems. Overall, the experience can be frustrating, especially for those who prefer single-player content or have encountered severe performance issues.

    • “Well optimized, runs great on my aging PC.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which is impressive for such a large game.”
    • “If that combat is janky and buggy as hell for people who feel more comfortable on mouse and keyboard, then obviously the relatively small issues are going to feel horrible when you've been dealing with them for the 90-100 hours it takes to unlock the highest level of content.”
    • “95% of content is locked behind a buggy and laggy multiplayer that the developers created. Only commons and uncommons drop in story mode, and there's a single-player tower mode after the story that requires an online connection for no reason. The developers sell coins for cosmetics, which I'm usually okay with, but not in a full-priced game. If you don't want to play the buggy 10fps multiplayer (not my PC, by the way; I have a 4080 and 1 gig up and down internet), you are locked out of almost all content. If you create items while offline and somehow beat the odds to get a legendary, it gets deleted because you weren't online. It's absolute trash!”
    • “Sometimes, if you press the tab or ` key or while clicking the mouse on the screen, the character freezes and input control is completely lost for the game unless you alt-tab out to another monitor and then alt-tab back in. The game still recognizes mouse clicks when it happens but not keyboard input, so it knows it's an active screen for mouse but not keyboard. I feel like this is a developer bug, not a setup bug, due to inconsistency.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a mix of frustration and joy in the emotional aspect of the game. While the repetitive grind can detract from enjoyment, the camaraderie and shared experiences during gameplay foster a sense of community and warmth. Additionally, the compelling story and character development evoke strong emotional investment, reminiscent of the impactful moments from the series.

    • “The feeling of spamming emotes after finishing a dungeon beside others who revived you because you carelessly stood in front of a 1-hit kill mechanic is wholesome.”
    • “The story is compelling, full of twists and turns that made me emotionally invested in the characters and their fate.”
    • “It really made me feel like I was experiencing SAO for the first time all over again, seeing all the characters from Aincrad, ALO, GGO, OS, and the Underworld come together and fight evil.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers a short but replayable campaign featuring 20 cooperative missions for teams of four, culminating in challenging boss raids. While there is a free roam mode available, it primarily involves looting and combat, which may limit long-term engagement for some players.

    • “The campaign is short but highly replayable, featuring 20 cooperative missions for teams of up to four players. Each team grows stronger, culminating in epic boss raids. The free roam mode is enjoyable, offering opportunities to loot chests and battle random bosses, making it a fun experience overall.”
    • “With multiple cooperative missions and the ability to form different team combinations, the game offers a fresh experience each time you play. The replayability factor is enhanced by the variety of challenges and loot available.”
    • “The game encourages replayability through its engaging cooperative missions and the dynamic nature of its free roam mode, where players can continuously discover new enemies and loot.”
    • “The campaign is short and while it has 20 co-op missions for 4-player parties, it lacks depth in replayability. Once you've completed the missions, there's not much incentive to return, as the free roam mode offers little more than looting chests and defeating random enemies or bosses.”
    • “The game offers a few co-op missions, but after completing them, the replayability feels lacking. The free roam mode is underwhelming, with not much to do aside from grinding for loot and fighting random encounters.”
    • “While the game has a variety of missions, the overall experience feels repetitive. After finishing the campaign, the limited activities in free roam make it hard to find reasons to replay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

114hMedian play time
539hAverage play time
4-2000hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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