Sword Art Online: Lost Song

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 513 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Sword Art Online: Lost Song Game Cover
Most fans of the series will get some enjoyment out of Lost Song. The core gameplay elements are solid, but the superficial story and monotonous questing prevent it from being fun throughout.
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"Sword Art Online: Lost Song" is a Japanese role-playing game based on the Sword Art Online light novel franchise. It features an original story based on the Alfheim Online arc and allows players to play as characters other than Kirito, including custom characters. The game introduces magic as a new gameplay element and allows for parties of up to three characters, as well as flight mechanics in the Alfheim Online setting.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 513 reviews
story77 positive mentions
grinding18 negative mentions
  • The flying mechanics are enjoyable and add a unique element to the gameplay.
  • The visual novel scenes are entertaining and help build connections with the characters.
  • The game offers a fun experience for fans of the Sword Art Online series.
  • The combat system feels clunky and repetitive, leading to a lack of engagement.
  • Many areas and enemies feel recycled, resulting in a monotonous exploration experience.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including long loading times and occasional graphical glitches.
  • story237 mentions

    The story of "Sword Art Online: Lost Song" is generally seen as engaging, particularly for fans of the series, as it continues the narrative from "Hollow Fragment" and features familiar characters. However, many reviewers note that the plot lacks depth and can feel repetitive, with some criticizing the reliance on visual novel-style dialogue that may detract from gameplay. While the game offers a mix of original and adapted storylines, it often fails to deliver the emotional impact found in the anime, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution.

    • “Despite the negative aspects, the storyline of Sword Art Online: Lost Song remains interesting and provides an opportunity to learn more about the world of SAO and its inhabitants.”
    • “The game's story is also well-done, staying true to the Sword Art Online universe and featuring familiar characters from the anime.”
    • “The story builds up nicely and although it's not fully coinciding with the anime, it gives it a nice twist.”
    • “The game has a severe lack of direction as you continue further into the game's story.”
    • “It's like playing a story-less VR MMORPG, if you can even call it that.”
    • “If you play a SAO game for the story, I'd say you'll be disappointed.”
  • gameplay105 mentions

    The gameplay in "Sword Art Online: Lost Song" features enjoyable flight mechanics and real-time combat, allowing for engaging aerial battles. However, many players criticize the repetitive and shallow combat mechanics, lack of depth, and monotonous questing, which detracts from the overall experience. While fans of the series may appreciate the gameplay and story, newcomers might find it underwhelming and overly reliant on grinding.

    • “The flying mechanic is awesome.”
    • “Recommended for the gameplay loop and movement/aerial combat alone.”
    • “The gameplay in 'Lost Song' stands out with its real-time combat and flight mechanics, allowing players to engage in battles in the air and on the ground.”
    • “The main problem with Sword Art Online: Lost Song is its repetitive and monotonous gameplay.”
    • “Additionally, the combat mechanics lack depth and fail to offer enough variety to satisfy players.”
    • “Despite its enjoyable moments and an interesting plot, the game suffers from repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and demanding grinding requirements.”
  • music52 mentions

    The music in "Sword Art Online: Lost Song" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the pleasant and well-made soundtrack, particularly highlighting the cutscene music. While some tracks are noted as enjoyable and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others feel that the music does not stand out significantly compared to other titles in the series. Overall, fans of the franchise seem to find the soundtrack a positive aspect, enhancing their experience despite the game's other shortcomings.

    • “Yuuki's voice actor is a true marvel, making Sword Art Online: Lost Song an unforgettable experience.”
    • “Good opening and soundtracks.”
    • “The only thing I liked so far from this game is the cutscene music: Cynthia no Hikari, lmao.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the visual experience, though it doesn't particularly stand out.”
    • “Tried to start the game and couldn't get past the beginning screen where it allows you to create a new game; it gets stuck on a black screen with title screen music.”
  • graphics39 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the immersive environments and vibrant colors, while others criticize the dated visuals, graphical glitches, and lack of optimization. Many feel that the graphics do not meet modern standards, especially given the game's origins on older platforms like the PS Vita and PS3. Overall, while some aspects are appreciated, the consensus leans towards disappointment in the graphical quality and execution.

    • “The game offers a rich and immersive experience, with breathtaking graphics and a vast, open world to explore.”
    • “Definitely recommend this game; the graphics and gameplay are great.”
    • “Very addictive and fun game, the colors look great and the graphics are pretty nice too.”
    • “Moreover, there are some graphical glitches and bugs that can spoil your mood while playing.”
    • “The game feels so incomplete; the graphics are bad, the worlds are empty, there's barely a plot, I found a few bugs in the first hour, the flying and combat both feel really janky and boring, the characters have been watered down so much, and so much more.”
    • “No English dub, terrible optimization, no co-op until 5 hours into the game, the main story cannot be followed in co-op mode, uninspired and dull combat, terrible graphics (ignoring characters), blurry and disgusting UI.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a significant focus, with players reporting 15+ hours needed for 100% completion, often involving repetitive tasks and RNG-dependent achievements. While some enjoy the grind as part of the experience, others find it tedious and excessive, particularly in leveling up characters and farming for gear. Overall, the game appeals to fans of grinding mechanics, but it may frustrate those who prefer a more streamlined progression.

    • “There is about 15+ hours of grinding if you aim to get 100% as a couple of achievements are RNG dependent, meaning you may need to brute force a single mission for 5 hours to get Excalibur and all 100 weapons.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game requires a lot of grinding to level up characters and overcome more challenging stages.”
    • “Despite its enjoyable moments and an interesting plot, the game suffers from repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and demanding grinding requirements.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues and describing it as "poorly optimized." While a few users reported stable frame rates around 60fps, others noted repetitive scenery and a lack of real-time rendering in cutscenes, indicating that the game could benefit from further optimization efforts. Overall, the game's performance detracts from the otherwise enjoyable experience.

    • “Repetitive plain scenery but still, in my opinion, one of the most fun... if only Alicization Lycoris was optimized and actually ran well.”
    • “Compared to SAO:HF, the performance was great; the lowest dip was 50fps, but it was constantly around 60fps.”
    • “I encountered no performance issues throughout the entire playthrough of the story.”
    • “This game is really not optimized.”
    • “This is what we usually call 'poor optimization'.”
    • “I don't even know if the cutscenes are real-time rendered or not, but I was hoping this game could give better performance than older ported SAO titles.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience without noticeable glitches, others encounter graphical issues and frequent freezes that detract from gameplay.

    • “Other than that, it runs great.”
    • “Moreover, there are some graphical glitches and bugs that can spoil your mood while playing.”
    • “Besides that, there are constant freezes.”
    • “For one, I didn't seem to notice any glitches that weren't already in the game's code.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while the game features appealing character design and a variety of playable characters, it falls short in character development, receiving a score of 6/10. Players seeking a strong focus on character growth and narrative depth may find the development lacking, despite the well-written story.

    • “Character design looks very nice, and you have a nice variety of playable characters, along with a limited but appealing arsenal of weapons, skills, and spells.”
    • “If you're not mentally prepared to grind or prefer games that focus on plot and character development, you might want to choose other games.”
    • “Yes, the story is well written, but there is significantly less character development than expected.”
    • “Character development: 6/10”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it hilarious and noting a greater sense of humor compared to its predecessor. While the story is filled with funny moments, some critiques mention issues with character creation and exaggerated elements, such as poorly executed boob physics. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its narrative.

    • “I found that to be hilarious.”
    • “Same recipe: dialogues, dialogues everywhere, but it has more sense of humor and less than the previous game.”
    • “It's a fun game with a great story and tons of funny moments; the only problem is the sloppy custom character creation.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability through the ability to switch between various playable characters, including new additions, although playing as Kirito is necessary to fully experience certain side stories. Additionally, the multiplayer co-op mode enhances replay value by allowing players to team up with friends for a more engaging experience.

    • “All characters unlocked for your party are playable if you want to switch it up from being Kirito.”
    • “All of the main characters are back (this time they're playable, though if you're not playing as Kirito, you'll miss most of the side stories with the heroines) and it introduces some new characters.”
    • “The multiplayer mode adds a fun dimension with co-op gameplay, allowing players to team up with friends, which can enhance the game's overall experience and replay value.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is generally seen as lacking depth, with a story that becomes more engaging towards the end but fails to reach the impactful heights of the best anime narratives. Overall, while it offers some emotional engagement, it does not fully resonate with players.

    • “The story itself is engaging enough, though it doesn't quite reach the emotional or narrative depths that the best arcs of the anime do.”
    • “Now, while the story might not be the deepest or most touching, it does pick up near the end, so keep that in mind.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its refreshing and chill vibe, complemented by decent background music and an engaging environment. Reviewers note that it enhances the overall gameplay experience, making it a standout in the MMO RPG genre.

    • “Refreshing atmosphere, decent background music, and slightly better gameplay than Hollow Fragment.”
    • “Awesome MMO RPG, chill and smooth, with a great atmosphere and cool environment.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
    • “Despite the potential, the overall ambiance is flat and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The environments lack detail and variety, resulting in a monotonous experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    While initially perceived as a cash grab, players find the game's monetization to be more reasonable, as it offers a detailed experience akin to a simple MMO with single-player elements, featuring engaging NPC interactions and a straightforward system.

    • “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy without spending money.”
    • “I was initially drawn in by the gameplay, but the constant push for in-game purchases quickly became frustrating.”
    • “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

90hMedian play time
66hAverage play time
9-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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