Release Date: October 4, 2024
An action jRPG with a TPP camera. Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream features the torn world of the MMO ALfheim Online and playing as one of the characters from different eras we must try to restore it. We can play alone or in coop as a group of up to 20 players.
Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is a Japanese action RPG game developed by the Dimps Corporation studio (known from such projects as Dragon Ball: Xenoverse or Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet) and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The production was based on a license of a brand that enjoys great popularity (especially in Japan), encompassing video games, anime, manga, and novels for young people.
Similar to other games under this banner, Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream transports us to a sci-fi universe, where various MMO games are celebrated. One of them is ALfheim Online, in which a special Galaxia system has been implemented, allowing players to experience events from the past.
However, things did not go according to the plans of its creators, and the virtual space-time collapsed into ruins, mixing characters from different eras and plots. However, all is not lost, as over 20 heroes and heroines step in to restore balance in the world of ALfheim Online. For many of them, fulfilling this mission involves the necessity of burying the hatchet and establishing cooperation with former enemies.
The gameplay in Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream does not deviate too much from what we have been accustomed to by previous titles under this banner. The game allows us to choose one of the characters diversified in terms of specialization, skills and preferred weapons.
Apart from Kirito, who is a swordsman and somewhat the main character, we have at our disposal his cousin Leafa, a sniper named Sinon, quietly operating Argo or even Agil wielding a large axe.
After choosing our hero or heroine, we set off on a journey full of dangers through various locations. We complete quests and engage in dynamic skirmishes with opponents. Among the latter, powerful bosses lead the way, which we eliminate by participating in special raids.
We can technically play Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream alone, but the game spreads its wings in the cooperative mode for 20 players. Participants of the game operate in four-person teams and work together to restore balance in the virtual world of ALfheim Online.
Platforms:
PC Windows
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Dimps Corporation
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Age restrictions: 12+
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System Requirements for Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-8400 2.8 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 3100 3.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 3 GB GeForce GTX 780 / 4 GB Radeon RX 580, 45 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i7-10700K 3.8 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce RTX 2060 / 8 GB Radeon RX Vega 64, 45 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.
Game Ratings for Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream Video Game.
SteamDeckHQ: 4 / 5 by Oliver Stogden
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream has a crowd that it caters to and caters to that crowd well, in my opinion. The story mode is designed with SWORD ART ONLINE fans in mind, with references to numerous anime story arcs and characters appearing with sound cues that signify that their presence is significant. Sadly, why their presence is significant isn't conveyed in the game, so your poor reviewer (who isn't an SAO fan) had to go look at a wiki to find out why this person appearing is such a big deal! Fortunately, for non-SAO fans, the storyline is generally decent, the concept of SAO is easy enough to grasp, and you can sort of figure out what's going on as the story progresses. The gameplay also doesn't disappoint, with over-the-top visual effects firing off in every direction, making you feel like you're using weapons of mass destruction on that spider-looking thing about the size of a large dog. Performance on Steam Deck is middling, and while the story mode largely runs well, you do have to put up with some pixelation due to the resolution scaling if you want somewhat stable performance in online play. However, the game is fully playable on the Steam Deck, with great controls and acceptable performance. If you are a SWORD ART ONLINE fan, I don't think it would be a stretch to say that Fractured Daydream might be the best SWORD ART ONLINE video game yet.
Final Weapon: 3 / 5 by Noah Hunter
Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is a fun time that ultimately falls a bit short of its lofty goals. While the story mode is a good time, there are issues here and there that prevent this from being a great experience. Moreover, the game's multiplayer offerings are fun to experience with friends, but the dwindling player count leaves major concerns for the longevity of this title.
NookGaming: 3 / 10 by Daniel Joseph
I cannot recommend Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream. To anyone. Even the most committed Sword Art Online fans are unlikely to find much to love here. It is a live service title without legs. A real disappointment coming from the developers of Fatal Bullet. Perhaps with more development time and a clearer idea of what the game should be, it could have been a worthwhile endeavor. As it stands though it’s a sad, vapid outing for the series.