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.

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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