Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 42
  3. Negative: 3 out of 42
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  1. Meristation
    Mar 8, 2018
    80
    With its combat system being easily to learn and play and with quite a large amount of content, this title becomes an interesting alternative in the genre and for the series fans.
  2. IGN Italia
    Feb 23, 2018
    78
    A good tie-in of the original anime series, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a solid JRPG, a bit repetitive and with the difficulty not well balanced.
  3. COGconnected
    Mar 2, 2018
    75
    Perhaps the best Sword Art Online game thus far. While the game’s setting does detract a bit from the visuals, the gameplay and overall world of Gun Gale Online more than makeup for it.
  5. CGMagazine
    Mar 2, 2018
    75
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a fun action RPG with technical flaws holding it back from true greatness.
  6. DualShockers
    Feb 28, 2018
    75
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is the best SAO game that I’ve played since Re: Hollow Fragment.
  7. Vandal
    Feb 26, 2018
    75
    Fatal Bullet isn't perfect, but it's a very enjoyable game thanks to its well-designed core mechanics. If you like SAO, you'll enjoy this game.
  8. The Games Machine
    Feb 23, 2018
    71
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is not a bad game per se, there are no real flaws or problems, but the overall experience is a little bland and generic. Things get a little (but just a little) better if you play with some friends, even in PvP. It's your typical product that will only please the hardcore fans of the original material, nothing more.
  9. GameCritics
    Apr 13, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a perfect game for anyone looking to get a taste of what MMOs feel like without wanting to dedicate hundreds of hours of their lives to the experience, and perhaps more importantly, it has an ending.
  10. Softpedia
    Mar 7, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet can become boring quite fast due to its repetitive encounters and unevenly paced story, something that could have been easily avoided. The good news is SAO fans will find it a breath of fresh air, since Fatal Bullet plays and feels different than the previous games.
  11. XGN
    Mar 6, 2018
    70
    Probably the best SOA-game. Funny feelgood story with addictive gameplay elements. Overall the experience could have been better if the areas had some more variety.
  12. PlaySense
    Mar 5, 2018
    70
    Not exactly the ultimate Sword Art Online game we were looking for, but different enough from its predecessors to entertain.
  13. Multiplayer.it
    Mar 1, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is the best SAO game but not a good TPS.
  14. PlayStation Universe
    Mar 1, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet could have been an exceptional title in the franchise, with a little more work on its story and skills system, Its combat, exploration, and great boss battles, on the other hand, make Fatal Bullet the best Sword Art Online title to date.
  15. TheSixthAxis
    Mar 1, 2018
    70
    For fans of the anime, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a great use of the license that brings some welcome changes to the series. There are still the recurring issues of pacing and a number of technical flaws that diminish the rest of the game’s achievements, but this hopefully sets a new benchmark for the franchise going forward.
  16. Hardcore Gamer
    Feb 28, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is flawed, but succeeds at providing a thrilling MMO-esque experience offline. Newcomers to the SAO franchise can jump in with this and enjoy themselves — especially if they just want a great third-person shooting experience. Be sure that you have time to devote to it, however, because it will consume a lot of it.
  17. Areajugones
    Feb 27, 2018
    70
    Fatal Bullet is a conservative game that could have take more advantage from the Sword Art Online universe. However, it is a great game and is suitable for those who love the anime.
  18. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Feb 27, 2018
    70
    Excepting its online shortcomings, however, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is easily the best game using the license yet.
  19. Digitally Downloaded
    Feb 27, 2018
    70
    Despite the issues with balance, juvenile moments in the writing, and the occasional bug that suggested the ambition of the game slightly overextended its budget, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is the best video game entry in this particular franchise.
  20. RPG Site
    Feb 26, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet offers a fresh formula that gives the license a much-needed shot in the arm thanks to its deep customization and enjoyable gameplay elements. Not only that, but Gun Gale Online (the VR MMORPG where the game takes place) presents a far more interesting framework thanks to its sci-fi setting and gun-heavy focus, rather than the fantasy backdrop the property was precedently known for.
  21. Destructoid
    Feb 25, 2018
    70
    Despite the rough edges, Dimps' work is easy to like if you're a Sword Art Online fan hungry for something new to advance the franchise with. Though ultimately held back by the jank, it's definitely worth checking out, if for nothing else than a welcome change of pace and setting.
  22. Everyeye.it
    Feb 23, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet boasts the most frenetic and satisfying gameplay among those proposed so far by the various episodes of the Bandai Namco saga. Nevertheless, the lack of longevity of the plot, the choice to present a silent and anonymous protagonist, overshadowing the beloved characters of the original cast, prevent the game from being carried away by a fairly flat and redundant narrative interweaving, facilitating the premature abandonment.
  23. The Digital Fix
    Feb 23, 2018
    70
    While the game is a lot of fun, it is hard to shake the feeling that if it was a full MMO it would be better. The Co Op mode goes someway to fix this and thankfully there is plenty of content to keep fans of the genre and of the series occupied. Definitely worth playing if you want an anime inspired world to run around in for a long time.
  24. SpazioGames
    Feb 23, 2018
    70
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is an atypical - but funny - RPG with a lot of TPS features, made by Dimps (also known as Dragon Ball Xenoverse developers).
  25. Worth Playing
    Apr 6, 2018
    65
    The story may not be good enough to be considered a mainstream option, but for the JRPG community and SAO fans, there is an extreme amount of fun to be had here. If you've played the previous games, Fatal Bullet is an overall improvement and a step up.
  26. Gamer.nl
    Mar 12, 2018
    65
    This game is an interesting twist on the well known SAO concept, that is not bad at all. Shooting enemies and collecting weapons is lots of fun, but everything else is a bit unstable. The AI and the loading screens are a real buzzkill.
  27. IGN Japan
    Mar 5, 2018
    63
    In the end, fans of the series will be able to appreciate the game's story. But the game has so many flaws that it's hard to recommend it to anyone else.
  28. Gamers' Temple
    Jun 4, 2018
    62
    I'm torn over the score for Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet. The move from the ever-more-stale MMO combat kept me interested and entertained to the very end, but the painfully slow start, the blah and unnecessary multiplayer, the bland environments, repetitive enemies and almost hilariously bad cutscenes take a change for the better and stack negative after negative on top of one of the best things the SAO series has ever done.
  29. Cubed3
    Apr 4, 2018
    60
    With a trimmed down narrative, a better gameplay to story ratio, and more complex level design, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet could have stood out as a particularly impressive licensed game. As is, however, it's a decent attempt held back by some unfortunate design elements.
  30. Gameblog.fr
    Mar 13, 2018
    60
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet has some flaws, but it can be a satisfying game if you're a fan of the anime.
  31. Eurogamer Italy
    Mar 12, 2018
    60
    The new game of Sword Art Online series is a fast paced third person shooter, set in the GGO environment of the fictional VRMMO of the original anime. You play the role of a new guy meeting the old crew, helped by an AI as your friend. The result is a messy reunion, moved by a decent gunplay but with a poor story.
  32. GamingTrend
    Mar 9, 2018
    60
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet, for somebody only remotely aware of the source material, is an enjoyable game with interesting tricks in design held back by an otherwise intrusive plot.
  33. Impulsegamer
    Mar 8, 2018
    60
    Uninspiring environments and generic gameplay mean that only hardcore fans of the SAO series will get the most out of Bandai Namco's latest effort.
  34. IGN Spain
    Feb 23, 2018
    60
    Dimps Studios could have gone further with a brand like Sword Art Online. Fatal Bullet has a too-classic design and, finally, the previous video games are more fun and original than this third person shooter-JRPG. Its main attraction is in the cooperative missions.
  35. Push Square
    Feb 23, 2018
    60
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is easily the most polished Sword Art Online game to date, but it's also one of the least imaginative. A strange union of third-person shooting and role-playing action, it offers up quite a unique mix of gameplay and a progression loop that's really quite addictive, but the overall package rarely thrills. By stepping away from Kirito and the gang, the story definitely benefits, but it's not enough to inject life into a game that often feels bland and monotonous. Fatal Bullet's still a solid anime-based title, but unless you love to grind, you'll likely lose interest.
  36. 4P.de
    Mar 10, 2018
    59
    A run-of-the-mill JRPG prone to grind - more so than usual.
  37. God is a Geek
    Feb 23, 2018
    55
    Quotation forthcoming.
  38. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Apr 4, 2018
    50
    While SAOFB tries to shake up its formula, it does little to inject the game with a distinct identity. [Apr 2018, p.96]
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  39. We Got This Covered
    Mar 2, 2018
    50
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet may be a good change of pace for fans, but it misses the mark in a few too many places to really recommend to new players.
  40. PlayGround.ru
    Feb 27, 2018
    50
    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a really strange game. Sometimes it becomes addictive, and sometimes you hate it. Just know that if you don't know anything about the game's universe, its story will look to you like a mess.
  41. RPG Fan
    Apr 25, 2018
    45
    You better be a hardcore fan of the series, or you won't find much to like in Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet.
  42. GameGrin
    Feb 23, 2018
    40
    The focus may be on you and your avatar but sadly Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet relies too heavily on it's source material and won't let you leave the shadow of the series protagonist. Repetitive gameplay, undeveloped systems and a story that is forgettable leave this entry in the series rather disappointing.
  43. RPGamer
    Mar 5, 2018
    30
    Saying that Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is at least playable is the best compliment I can give it, as there's occasional fun to be had from running around and shooting things, though not nearly enough. Almost everything else about the game amounts to a sterile waste of time. The story is vapid, the variety of locations and enemies is practically non-existent, and everything you do in the game feels completely pointless. It's not even content I'd recommend to diehard fans of the series, as there's not really even enough of that here to matter. Fatal Bullet was a chance for the game portion of the Sword Art Online franchise to step up and shine under a new developer with a new gameplay focus, but instead the entire thing shamefully fell flat on its face.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2018
96
#96 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 114
  3. Negative: 23 out of 114
  1. Play_Maker2000
    Feb 23, 2018
    10
    The game overall isn't bad, but at the same time is rather enjoyable. If you're an SAO fan, i'm sure you'll love this game. The story andThe game overall isn't bad, but at the same time is rather enjoyable. If you're an SAO fan, i'm sure you'll love this game. The story and customization is very deep and enjoyable. And the game play mechanics are somewhat unique compared to other Third-Person shooters. In my honest opinion, if you want a new type of game to play, this is definitely it.… Full Review »
  2. Uncompromising
    Feb 24, 2018
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Surprising dull, considering the premise. Ignoring functional (and practical) flaws of the game, SAO:FB leaves a lot to be desired. While the artwork, controls, and overall RPG elements work well, the lack of replay-ability, immersive co-op, and immediate need to grind (which never lets up) make this a less than exciting new release.

    Campaign/Story Mode:

    SAO:FB had potential to make this a game worth playing for years with their story premise. Integration of a persistent online-world sans NPC simulation could have launched this into the atmosphere. However, the game itself relies on the player to read everything (thanks to Japanese voice-overs) and periodically offers the chance to choose between one of two non-impactful options in between dialogue. This doesn't work well, as a huge chunk of the core gameplay is spent either reading dialog or waiting in-between loading screens.
    To put it into perspective: The simple task of leaving your in-game room takes between 20s-45s of loading, within the city.
    Combine this with the cookie cutter dungeon run gaming template, you essentially have a single-player version of every other MMORPG.

    Multiplayer:

    Multiplayer is divided into two parts: Co-op -or- PVP. That's it.
    On the PVP-side, each room is host-based (to include ranked matches) which means you'll either never find a match or if you're too good, host will quit.
    Needless to say, multiplayer is not (nor do I predict it will ever be) populated enough to have a good time.
    On the Co-Op side, you and up to 3 other players can be in a room together where the only thing you do is constantly rematch dungeon bosses you or the host have beaten in the single-player campaign.
    No, you do not run through the dungeon again. No, you do not have the option to run through the dungeon again. No, you cannot explore with the coop group.
    Once you defeat the dungeon boss, you go back to lobby and hope that host has beaten other, challenging bosses. If so, then you 'ready up' and go again. IF not, then you simply stay and keep fighting the same boss over again. When you're done, you leave room and go back to single player campaign.
    There is no substance on the multiplayer-side. Which was the most surprising factor considering this game cannot be played offline.
    In a nutshell, you're forced to use bandwidth to play this game yet there is nothing to do multiplayer-wise and there is no additional content to download.
    Honestly, I believe that the only reason players are forced to stay online to play this is simply to keep the "persistent" leader-board updated with the boss trial numbers (those who were able to defeat bosses really fast in the co-op multiplayer mode).

    End-Game:
    Basically what you see once you finish the two-hour long tutorial is what you get. There is no dedicated end-game nor is there a reason to grind the end-game. You have nothing to show off, compare, or compete against thus making it pretty much a pointless endeavor.
    Should you strive for the end-game for whatever reason, just be prepared for the load times.

    Conclusion:

    Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is not worth $60. The combined value of the story, lack of multiplayer, and overall product is far less than that. My opinion is based on my play preference which I'd define as a hybrid player: 50% Singleplayer-Rpg player and 50% Coop/competitive multiplayer.
    SAO lacks in all areas of what I typically enjoy and despite spending around 8 hours grinding the to the end of the game, that opinion never changed.    … Full Review »
  3. Jacob0988
    Feb 23, 2018
    10
    It is a great game with amazing character customization a beautiful great graphics open world and the SBC glockenspiel is huge with manyIt is a great game with amazing character customization a beautiful great graphics open world and the SBC glockenspiel is huge with many things to do. The gameplay and the amount of weapons is great the system is a bit confusing at first but you get the hang of it.… Full Review »
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