SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 891 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.
Starting at $47.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

"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

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 891 reviews
story126 positive mentions
grinding102 negative mentions
  • Engaging combat system with a variety of characters, each offering unique playstyles.
  • The game features a fun multiplayer experience with 20-player raids and cooperative missions.
  • The graphics and animations are visually appealing, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Repetitive gameplay with limited content, leading to grind fatigue over time.
  • The story mode is tedious and requires players to unlock characters, which can be frustrating.
  • Technical issues such as clunky controls, camera problems, and inconsistent hitboxes detract from the gameplay experience.
  • story587 mentions

    The story of "Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream" has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging plot and character interactions, particularly for fans of the anime. However, many criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth, often feeling like a grind to unlock characters and cosmetics. While the narrative is seen as a decent continuation of the SAO universe, it is often overshadowed by gameplay issues and a lack of variety in missions, leading to a sense of frustration among players.

    • “The story of this game is great and it's pretty consistent, following where the anime ended in the War of the Underworld. It introduces new characters and unique storylines, making it a fresh experience for fans.”
    • “The story is compelling, full of twists and turns that made me emotionally invested in the characters and their fate. It combines an engaging storyline with stunning visuals and dynamic gameplay, making it one of the best entries in the SAO franchise.”
    • “I really hope Fractured Daydream offers the same level of depth, missions, expansive world, and gameplay mechanics. The story is shockingly decent and it's like they took mostly everything that worked from Fatal Bullet and made it better, adding swords and other weapons.”
    • “The story is incredibly mediocre, but the missions themselves are fine.”
    • “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.”
    • “To make things worse, you’re forced to slog through story mode to unlock all the playable characters.”
  • gameplay169 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing its clunky mechanics, repetitive missions, and unbalanced character roster, leading to a grindy experience that can feel tedious over time. While some appreciate the unique skills of the characters and the fun combat mechanics, others find the overall gameplay loop monotonous and lacking depth, particularly in co-op modes. Despite its potential, many feel the game is unpolished and not worth the price, especially for those unfamiliar with the franchise.

    • “Gameplay: the combat in this game is extremely good as you can play a total of 21 base game characters from SAO, all with unique skills and passives for each character.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun and addicting.”
    • “This is by gameplay one of the more fun SAO experiences since you get to play it with many other players and it can get pretty entertaining.”
    • “The gameplay loop becomes incredibly monotonous and the clunky gameplay and camera controls, coupled with the lack of healing items and quest duration, make it incredibly boring after a few hours.”
    • “The long queue times, poor combat mechanics, overpriced DLCs/outfits in-store, and grindy progression system make it hard to recommend.”
    • “The fighting mechanics are clunky and the camera work is dizzying, falling short of any resemblance of polished game design.”
  • grinding105 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the endgame where they are forced to farm the same bosses and quests for minimal rewards. While some players enjoy the grind as a means of progression and find it engaging, others criticize the lack of variety and the feeling of artificial barriers that prolong the experience. Overall, the game's grindiness seems to cater to a niche audience that appreciates slow, methodical gameplay, but may deter those looking for a more dynamic or rewarding experience.

    • “It's addictive if you don't grind forcibly.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game cost at least 60€ without reduction and you can go for a whole hour farming a quest and not have it increased at all; you lose 1 hour and the devs don't care nor give compensation.”
    • “Honestly, I didn't bother reading the story and the heavy grinding makes the game become repetitive and somewhat boring.”
    • “The stale gameplay loop makes grinding for the battle pass very unpleasant, and since the battle pass has a time limit, you'll miss out on the cosmetics once it's over. It feels like I'm buying this game just to suffer.”
  • graphics42 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and character models that enhance the immersive experience of the SAO universe. However, some players criticize the graphics as outdated or standard for the genre, noting issues like graphical bugs and a lack of innovation compared to previous entries in the series. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, they are not without their flaws, leading to a range of opinions among players.

    • “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.”
    • “Even the graphics are subpar compared to the last two SAO games.”
    • “Poor quality: the graphics, gameplay mechanics, and overall polish feel outdated or incomplete.”
    • “You'll have to put up with outdated graphics, gameplay, and animations.”
  • monetization35 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to its $60 price tag combined with numerous microtransactions for cosmetic items and a battle pass. While some users appreciate that the microtransactions are optional and not heavily pushed, the overall sentiment is that the game feels overpriced and exploitative, especially given the presence of day-one DLC and the perception of a grindy experience. Players express frustration over the game's monetization strategy, feeling it detracts from the overall enjoyment and value of the title.

    • “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!”
    • “This is a cash grab title.”
    • “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 game.”
    • “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.”
  • music29 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtracks as great and reminiscent of previous Sword Art Online titles, particularly highlighting the opening song by Reona. While some players appreciate the seamless transitions between themes and the nostalgic feel of the music, others note that much of it is recycled and that the overall musical score may not be as strong as in earlier games. Overall, the soundtrack is considered enjoyable, fitting well within the game's atmosphere, but it lacks some originality.

    • “10/10 soundtracks”
    • “The music has some nice stuff, though lots of it is recycled from previous SAO games.”
    • “Let me gush about the music first: it loops seamlessly, and the field-to-battle themes blend and change very well without playing back to the beginning!”
    • “The opening song feels like this will be the last SAO game.”
    • “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 test, so I was worried about the BGM quality at the time.”
    • “They even reused some of the soundtrack from some of the older games.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues even on high-end PCs, including long load times and frame rate drops. While some users have experienced smoother gameplay on lower settings or different platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall consensus highlights a need for better optimization, particularly for PC users. Additionally, the game appears to be more tailored for controller use, which may affect the experience for keyboard and mouse players.

    • “Element simply makes or breaks your damage performance, especially considering elemental damage stat lines are commonly one of the best overall damage-increasing options, alongside the elemental damage boost mod that can drop in missions.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Performance: while you can maintain 144 fps in some areas of the game at 1440p, it tends to dip in most areas.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while the launch was relatively solid compared to previous titles in the series, players report numerous bugs and unpolished gameplay elements that detract from the experience. Issues such as character freezing and laggy multiplayer hinder enjoyment, especially for those seeking to unlock higher-level content, which is largely dependent on a problematic online system. Overall, while some players find the multiplayer enjoyable and well-optimized, the persistent bugs and lack of polish leave the game feeling unfinished.

    • “Well optimized, runs great on my aging PC.”
    • “Multiplayer runs great and connecting with other players is pretty easy since there's crossplay with other consoles, so you never really have to worry about a player shortage at all.”
    • “Tl;dr - could be a great game, has a lot of buggy issues.”
    • “95% of content is locked behind a buggy and laggy multiplayer needed crapshoot the devs made... like... only commons and uncommons drop in story mode, there's a single player tower mode after the story that requires online connection for no absolute reason, the devs 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 I have 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 and 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, so it knows it's an active screen for mouse but not keyboard... and I feel like this is a developer bug, not a setup bug, due to inconsistency.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The game's humor is a mixed bag, with players enjoying the funny character interactions and absurd story elements, such as Kirito's over-the-top powers. While some find the comedic aspects endearing and entertaining, others criticize the nonsensical plot and repetitive gameplay. Overall, the humor shines through in character dynamics and quirky moments, though it may not be enough to offset the game's grindy nature.

    • “The character interactions are endearing and often funny, cute, wise, or emotional.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players express a mix of nostalgia and emotional investment in the game's story and character interactions, highlighting the compelling narrative and the joy of shared experiences with others. While some find the repetitive grind frustrating, the emotional connections formed during gameplay, such as reviving teammates and engaging with beloved characters, create a wholesome and memorable experience. Overall, the game evokes strong feelings, reminiscent of earlier titles in 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.”
    • “The character interactions are endearing and often funny, cute, wise, or emotional.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game's replayability is enhanced by the potential for additional playable characters and maps, which could extend its longevity. While the campaign is short, it offers cooperative missions and free roam modes, though some players find the activities limited and experience technical issues. Overall, the current content may not be sufficient for some players to recommend it to others.

    • “If they continue to add more playable characters in the SAO universe, more maps through Aincrad, ALfheim Online, and Underworld, I think I can play this game for a long time.”
    • “The campaign is short but replayable and has 20 player co-op missions with 5 four-player parties that get stronger. All teams are combined for the last boss raids, which work the same way. There is also a free roam mode that is good, but there isn't really much to do aside from loot chests and kill enemies or random bosses you come across.”
    • “There are a bunch of characters that foster replayability, which adds to the overall experience.”
    • “The campaign is short and replayable, featuring 20 player co-op missions with 5 four-player parties that get stronger. However, all teams are combined for the last boss raids, and while there is a free roam mode, there's not really much to do aside from loot chests and kill enemies or random bosses you come across.”
    • “There are times when I get stuck in the warp gates after teleporting, and the camera gets all wonky when you lock in. Although there are a bunch of characters that foster replayability, I'm not sure it will be enough for me to recommend this game to my friends.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is generally described as pleasant and immersive, effectively drawing players into its world. However, some users feel that certain elements undermine the intended cooperative experience, potentially detracting from the overall ambiance.

    • “Overall, the game has a very pleasant atmosphere that sucks you in and makes you want to keep existing in its world.”
    • “This undermines the cooperative experience and the atmosphere the game should be promoting.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised, with users giving it a perfect score of 10/10 for its exceptional character design. This suggests that the characters are not only visually appealing but also well-crafted in terms of personality and depth. Overall, the development of characters significantly enhances the gaming experience.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep and engaging, allowing players to truly connect with each character's journey.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their growth feel authentic and rewarding.”
    • “The backstories and personal arcs of the characters are well-crafted, adding layers of complexity that enhance the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream

Play time

17hMedian play time
280hAverage play time
6-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games