Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream - A New Era for the Franchise

There are two undeniable truths in life: the sun is scorching, and Bandai Namco will continue adapting anime into video games.

It’s another day, another anime-to-video-game adaptation—a trend that feels as inevitable as the sun rising. With the release of Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, Bandai Namco now marks its eighth entry in the Sword Art Online gaming franchise, though it hasn't always been a journey filled with success. Given the immense popularity of Sword Art Online, it's no surprise that Bandai Namco would aim to capitalize on its fanbase. Unfortunately, this endeavor has been met with mixed results. While die-hard fans have embraced each release, others have been less impressed. However, with Fractured Daydream, Dimps has redefined the Sword Art Online franchise, setting a new standard for its future. So, how does this latest installment hold up under scrutiny?

Journey Through Altered Realities: Welcome Back to ALfheim Online

Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream introduces a completely original narrative within the familiar Sword Art Online universe. However, it pulls in elements from across various seasons and arcs of the anime, making it tricky to discuss without treading into spoiler territory for those who haven't followed the series in its entirety. I’ll do my best to remain spoiler-free.

Welcome back to ALfheim Online, albeit a warped version of the virtual world fans know. Here, the characters seem to have altered memories, making everything feel unfamiliar despite its recognizable setting. The core of Fractured Daydream revolves around a new system called Galaxia. This system allows players to relive past memories in real-time, with the unique twist that these experiences are not confined to how they originally played out. Imagine revisiting a pivotal boss battle but with the freedom to add new party members who weren’t present before.

Sounds like a dream, right? Well, not quite. You soon find yourself transported to a world that, while familiar, is completely separate from the VR realm you've come to know—one where life and death once again hold real consequences. Fractured Daydream reintroduces a host of beloved characters from the anime and manga, along with some fresh faces, allowing players to navigate various scenarios alongside their favorites. I found myself as engrossed in the narrative as I was during Sword Art Online: Alicization. It felt like a brand-new season of the anime, though interspersed with lengthy and at times cumbersome combat scenarios. While Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream weaves an entirely new storyline, its strong connection to the existing Sword Art Online series makes it difficult to dive further into details without revealing major plot twists.

Action Awaits: Diving into the Combat Experience

When it comes to the gameplay of Fractured Daydream, at its core, is an action-packed beat-em-up. Players move through the world, spamming attacks, utilizing three basic skills, and unleashing a powerful ultimate ability. The gameplay loop is straightforward: defeat waves of enemies, head to a designated location, challenge the boss, and repeat.

While enjoyable at first, this formula quickly becomes repetitive, often feeling like a roadblock to the story. Much of the combat feels like filler, with little connection to the overarching narrative.

One major issue I encountered was battling flying enemies. Even when locked onto a target, landing hits as a melee character proved frustrating. I found myself repeatedly jumping, hoping to connect a hit, which detracted from the experience.

That said, despite its simplicity, the streamlined combat remains punchy and impactful, making the overall gameplay fun and engaging.

While the gameplay loop might be a drawback for some, the action combat itself is still enjoyable. Reflecting on previous games, such as Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris, which boasted an intricate skill system but suffered from poor AI control, it’s refreshing to see Fractured Daydream adopt a smoother, more fluid combat system. This shift in direction aligns with the combat mechanics seen in games like Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 and Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet. However, I do wish they had taken a page from Fatal Bullet's book when it came to the skill and attribute system, rather than settling for a limited selection of three skills and an ultimate.

The Quest for Cooperation: Navigating Multiplayer Adventures

Where Fractured Daydream truly sets itself apart from other entries in the franchise is its emphasis on multiplayer. While the story holds its own, the game’s primary focus seems to be its multiplayer modes, which is a welcome change. Players can dive into various multiplayer options supporting 20 players: Co-op Quests, Free Roam, and Boss Raids.

Among these, Free Roam is the simplest. You’re dropped into a sprawling map divided into level-gated zones, where you can fight basic mobs and mini-bosses. This mode is perfect for casual fun with friends and offers a chance to earn currency and items. There’s no pressure—just complete optional objectives like defeating a set number of monsters or traveling a certain distance within the one-hour time limit.

Co-op Quests, on the other hand, feel more linear and rushed. Players tend to speed through these missions, prioritizing the end objective over exploration. While I initially enjoyed wandering through the maps, I quickly realized that there wasn’t much to discover beyond a few chests with basic boosts. This missed opportunity makes these missions feel underwhelming, as the large maps could have been better utilized to offer more rewarding exploration.

While the lackluster exploration slightly diminished my enjoyment, the overall experience of multiplayer combat—running alongside other players to defeat monsters—was incredibly fun and engaging.

Boss Raids are exactly what you’d expect: epic battles against formidable bosses. So far I’ve only faced Skull Reaper, but it’s clear these fights demand teamwork and strategy. Unlike the standard bosses in Co-op Quests, raid bosses introduce mechanics that require players to interact with the environment, such as standing in specific areas to counter attack. I look forward to the challenges future raids will bring.

Final Thoughts

Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream delivers a great deal for the franchise, offering an engaging story and the chance to team up with beloved characters. While I believe it stands as the best Sword Art Online game to date, elevating the series to new heights, its repetitive gameplay and lack of content variety may hinder its long-term appeal. While its nostalgic charm shines, whether this can sustain players' interest long-term remains uncertain. Still, I'm optimistic that future installments will build on the strengths Fractured Daydream has introduced.