SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 863 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 €59.99Buy 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

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 863 reviews
story122 positive mentions
grinding94 negative mentions
  • story554 mentions

    The story in "Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it is engaging for fans of the franchise but lacks depth for newcomers. While some appreciate the character interactions and nostalgic elements, others criticize the repetitive nature of missions and the overall execution of the plot, describing it as mediocre or overly simplistic. The story serves primarily as a means to unlock characters for multiplayer, leading to a sense of frustration for those seeking a more substantial narrative experience.

    • “The cutscenes are particularly well-crafted, bringing the story to life in true SAO fashion.”
    • “I've played a few different SAO games and all I can say is that this tops Fatal Bullet easily as it's got a great storyline with lots of my favorite characters like Sinon and Lizbeth as playable characters.”
    • “The story is unique enough to have kept me quite engaged.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay164 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and clunky mechanics, leading to a monotonous experience over time. While some appreciate the unique character abilities and engaging story, others criticize the lack of polish, input issues, and a grindy progression system that detracts from overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is seen as fun for fans of the franchise but may not appeal to those seeking a more refined and varied gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay is fun, the story is skippable, and more importantly, Alice is playable.”
    • “Gameplay feels super smooth and online so far has been stable and fun.”
    • “The game expands on the series’ beloved themes of virtual reality and survival while introducing fresh mechanics and challenges that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “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.”
    • “Core gameplay - co-op missions, free roam, and raids are way too repetitive, to the point that there is no difference; sure, the layout might change for the co-op missions, but it's always the same rooms with the same goals over and over again.”
    • “The long queue times, poor combat mechanics, overpriced DLCs/outfits in-store, and grindy progression system make it hard to recommend.”
  • grinding97 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively repetitive and tedious, particularly in the endgame where they are forced to farm the same bosses and missions for gear and cosmetics. While some players enjoy the grind and find it engaging, especially in co-op settings, others criticize the artificial barriers and time-gated content that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's grindiness may appeal to dedicated fans of the genre, but it poses a significant drawback for those seeking variety and a more streamlined progression system.

    • “It's addictive if you don't grind forcibly.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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.”
    • “By the time you reach max level, you are most rewarded for grinding out the same boss raid which rotates bosses each day.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The graphics in 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 note that the graphics can feel outdated compared to recent titles, with occasional bugs and a lack of polish detracting from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good for an anime game, there are calls for improvements, particularly in open-world exploration and combat animations.

    • “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 lacks substantial content, leading to frustration over the monetization strategy. Additionally, concerns about potential pay-to-win elements and the presence of day-one DLC further contribute to the negative perception of the game's monetization practices.

    • “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.”
  • music28 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as great and reminiscent of previous Sword Art Online titles, particularly highlighting the opening song and seamless transitions between themes. However, some players noted that much of the music is recycled and that certain tracks did not resonate as well, leading to a perception of inconsistency in quality. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally appreciated, it may not fully meet the expectations set by earlier entries in the series.

    • “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!”
    • “It's gorgeous, fun, authentic, and the music feels straight out of a 2000s eastern MMO game (good).”
    • “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.”
  • optimization19 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues even on high-end systems, including long load times and frame rate drops. While some users have experienced smoother gameplay, particularly on the Steam Deck, others criticize the game's overall optimization, especially for PC, noting that it feels tailored more for controller users. Overall, the game's performance is seen as a major drawback, impacting the enjoyment of its gameplay and features.

    • “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.”
    • “Have given us Fatal Bullet, they now give us Fractured Daydream. My first impressions (coming from the open beta) is an overall smooth gameplay and good performance. The story (the bit I saw) is very fun while there is a focus on co-op and raids and some live service elements, those were quite fun to play and don't take too long.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game is heavily unoptimized.”
  • stability10 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while the launch was relatively solid compared to previous titles in the series, players report significant issues with multiplayer performance, including bugs and lag that hinder gameplay. Many users experience unpolished mechanics, such as character freezing and inconsistent input recognition, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these problems, some players find the multiplayer enjoyable and well-optimized on their systems.

    • “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.”
    • “Every dungeon is almost the same (there are 9 different dungeon designs and they all have the same 4 variations of gameplay loop before a boss), and boss raids are a buggy mess.”
    • “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 an online connection for no absolute reason. 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 comedic character interactions and absurd story elements, such as Kirito's over-the-top powers. While some find the humor endearing and entertaining, others criticize the nonsensical plot and repetitive gameplay. Overall, the inclusion of quirky characters and funny moments adds a lighthearted touch, despite the game's grinding mechanics.

    • “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).”
    • “The character interactions are endearing and often funny, cute, wise, or emotional.”
    • “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 aspects, like repetitive grinding, detract from enjoyment, the heartfelt moments and character dynamics evoke strong feelings, reminiscent of earlier gaming experiences. Overall, the emotional depth of the story and character relationships significantly enhances player engagement.

    • “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 bolstered by the potential for additional playable characters and maps, which could extend its longevity. However, while the campaign offers short replayable missions and cooperative gameplay, some players feel that the free roam mode lacks sufficient content to keep them engaged long-term. Technical issues, such as camera problems, also detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about recommending the game for replayability.

    • “If they continue to add more playable characters in the SAO universe, more maps through Aincrad, ALfheim Online, and the 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's not really much to do aside from loot chests and kill enemies or random bosses you come across. It's fun for what the mode is.”
    • “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, which could detract 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

    Reviewers praise the character development for its exceptional design, highlighting a perfect score of 10/10. This suggests that the characters are not only visually appealing but also well-crafted in terms of their personalities and growth throughout the game.

    • “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and impactful.”
    • “The choices you make truly shape the characters, leading to unique and personalized experiences.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream

Play time

30hMedian play time
317hAverage play time
6-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games