Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment

 PlayStation Vita
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 137 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 137
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 137
  3. Negative: 25 out of 137

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  1. Pyro3000
    Aug 22, 2014
    8
    Solid game with a horrible translation and an utterly useless tutorial. The game has a rough start thanks to it literally being akin to starting off a game 3/4 of the way in. You already have a high level and a decent selection of skills (although the glitch in the game that caused everyone to get to the 76th Floor wiped out a fair bit of them and made it so your weapons are only soSolid game with a horrible translation and an utterly useless tutorial. The game has a rough start thanks to it literally being akin to starting off a game 3/4 of the way in. You already have a high level and a decent selection of skills (although the glitch in the game that caused everyone to get to the 76th Floor wiped out a fair bit of them and made it so your weapons are only so powerful). If you spam the O butten then the combat will be slow, but when you dig through the skill system you'll find a large variety of attacks that will have you chopping through enemies rather quickly and make bosses less of a "grind until easy" fight and more of something that can be completed with proper coordination.

    The game does a great job of putting you in the shoes of a player that has progressed 3/4 of the way through a game. You start out at level 100 and surrounded by lvl 75 enemies on floor 76 or level 85 enemies in the first hollow section. Other characters will vary. Asuna and Klein are just a few levels short of Kirito whereas other characters that weren't part of the Assault Team are far lower and you'll need to party with them and help them improve their levels if you want to bring them along in parties. You'll be overleveled for the first few floors thanks to how much excess leveling the Assault Team characters did to help ensure survival, but it won't take long for the game to catch up to you.

    Yes, it's rather fanservice-filled if you decide to do the dating element (required for the platinum trophy and advised for gearing reasons), but it doesn't take away from the core game. I would honestly give this game a 10/10 if it wasn't for the poor translation in the Aincrad sections and I hadn't had to look online to learn how to speed up and smooth out what seemed like horribly slow and clunky combat.    … Expand
  2. Behindiist
    Aug 22, 2014
    10
    If you know the anime Sword Art Online, you will know what awaits you in this game, or not. The Story is about after the floor 75 in the anime, where Kirirto defeats Heathcliff and if you are a true fan, you want to know what happens there. There is a lot to explore, to loot and there a lot of enemies. Thanks to the HD remake of "Sword Art Online Infinity Moment", you will at least needIf you know the anime Sword Art Online, you will know what awaits you in this game, or not. The Story is about after the floor 75 in the anime, where Kirirto defeats Heathcliff and if you are a true fan, you want to know what happens there. There is a lot to explore, to loot and there a lot of enemies. Thanks to the HD remake of "Sword Art Online Infinity Moment", you will at least need over 200+hours to clear the game. With the Hollow Area, you get an additional gameplay time for more than 30 hours. Two games in one. Nice!!!
    You should get it! Don't think about it twice, if you are a true fan. I bought it Day 1 and totally worth it.
    11/10    … Expand
  3. Herduliek
    Sep 5, 2014
    9
    If you enjoy the anime you should have no problem with this game. I was really hesitant to buy this because I read so many complaints about the translation. I had only seen a few episodes of the series and with each episode I was pulled closer to buying the game. I don't find the dialog to be as bad as people let on. There are typos here and there and some grammar issues. But if you lookIf you enjoy the anime you should have no problem with this game. I was really hesitant to buy this because I read so many complaints about the translation. I had only seen a few episodes of the series and with each episode I was pulled closer to buying the game. I don't find the dialog to be as bad as people let on. There are typos here and there and some grammar issues. But if you look at this as being a simulation of a MMO guess what? Those games when dealing with other players are full of bad grammar.

    The combat system is unique and takes some getting used to. The tutorials are important. The game guide is important. Again, in a real MMO there is a level of complexity that takes time to master. The story and characters are great. The emotions are well animated and the underlying Japanese dialog adds feeling to the game.

    The dating sim is a bit strange. The chat bubbles come across as nonsensical but it is a minor part of the game and it is easy to pick up on response patterns to get through it. I don't think this part of the game was intended to be actual dialog but more like thoughts or emotions coming across.

    Overall the game is fun to play and hard to put down. It does play more like an MMO at times and I enjoy that aspect. I find myself getting the same level of enjoyment as I did with Persona 4 Golden.    … Expand
  4. Leonballard
    Aug 28, 2014
    10
    A hard action jrpg game based on a current anime? and for a handheld? SURE!
    This is the kind of games that Vita was lacking, and we are starting get them in America!
    I'll think the score has to be 8.9, really good cell shading graphics, in depth history, kinda hard game if you want to rush it, but very repetitive when you are moving through the waves of monsters, but, that's like any    A hard action jrpg game based on a current anime? and for a handheld? SURE!
    This is the kind of games that Vita was lacking, and we are starting get them in America!

    I'll think the score has to be 8.9, really good cell shading graphics, in depth history, kinda hard game if you want to rush it, but very repetitive when you are moving through the waves of monsters, but, that's like any other jrpg.-    … Expand
  5. rogeriokampa
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    If you're a fan of the SAO series, this is almost the perfect game! If you're not a fan... but enjoys a good rpg/adventure game, you will love as well! Great game for a handheld!
  6. deadlysilentbob
    Jan 7, 2015
    8
    Im sure this game would have been 1000 times better had i actually watched the anime before playing the game. That being said this is an EPIC title for any vita owner. The world is HUGE, the characters are many, the graphics are top notch and the combat system keeps you engaged (especially if you don't like your '0' button as your gonna beat it like it owes you money). There is also aIm sure this game would have been 1000 times better had i actually watched the anime before playing the game. That being said this is an EPIC title for any vita owner. The world is HUGE, the characters are many, the graphics are top notch and the combat system keeps you engaged (especially if you don't like your '0' button as your gonna beat it like it owes you money). There is also a small dating sim element that feels for organic than the traditional 'scale walls of text to get the girl'. Your also not confined to being with Asuna, tho the story assumes you are and makes you feel a little greasy if your going for another girl.

    On the negative side however, this game suffers from a translation that would make Ar Tonelico 2 look like it came off the desk of a university professor. Avid JRPG gamers such as myself might read this and ask 'how bad can it possibly be? Ive played many poorly translated games and they don't really bother me'. trust me, you will understand. Other than the occasional frame rate drop while there are many NPC's on the screen or landing yourself in an area WAAAAAAYYYYY out of your level range (and thanks to cannon this happens fairly often) there is little else to complain about with this title.

    over all wicked game deserving of being in your library.    … Expand
  7. Alpha1144
    Oct 3, 2015
    9
    Being a fan of sword art online i also ordered the Japanese import of lost song. This was a great game but the not being able to open doors when targeted or being able to properly run made it very time consuming. Also sometimes if a enemy is targeted to you and you press O you wont target the one targeting you. It will engage battle with a completely different enemy sometimes which canBeing a fan of sword art online i also ordered the Japanese import of lost song. This was a great game but the not being able to open doors when targeted or being able to properly run made it very time consuming. Also sometimes if a enemy is targeted to you and you press O you wont target the one targeting you. It will engage battle with a completely different enemy sometimes which can cause easy game over depending on the area.The story line was very good however and the hollow area was brilliant. It was nice to see the remaining floors because i always wondered what they looked like apart from the few cons i would recommend buying this. Its not that expensive and all round its a good game graphics are good and little to no lag on PSvita and it deserves more fame i think.… Expand
  8. exclav3
    Aug 19, 2014
    10
    If you're a fan of the series this is a fantastic game, comes with a HD remake of the first game previously only released in Japan, so you are getting 2 games in one!
  9. beanz822
    Aug 20, 2014
    10
    This is the game that got me to dust off my Vita after a few months of little to no use. Big fan of the series and it really represents the anime well in my opinion. Absolutely beautiful cut scenes especially on the Vita's OLED screen, I'd say it's a must have particularly for any Vita owner who likes the series but also for fans of hack and slash genre games as well.
  10. Ikenda
    Aug 20, 2014
    10
    This game is a very good game and deserves a solid 7 but im giving it a 10 to counter the ahs who rate with 0s. Hollow fragment is a huge world with lots of place to explore. Battle are exciting but after 50 hours yes they can get repetitive. Like 90% of the jrpgs i have played. The cut-scenes are extremely well crafted but are few and the rest of the story unfolds with the typical jrpgThis game is a very good game and deserves a solid 7 but im giving it a 10 to counter the ahs who rate with 0s. Hollow fragment is a huge world with lots of place to explore. Battle are exciting but after 50 hours yes they can get repetitive. Like 90% of the jrpgs i have played. The cut-scenes are extremely well crafted but are few and the rest of the story unfolds with the typical jrpg dialogue windows. The characters graphics are really good representing the anime really well but the environments dont have good resolution and are a little blurry. Still the environments have lots of details and variety that counter the lack of resolution. The enemies are beautiful also -beautiful among monster that is- and have a good variety. After lots of hours everything can get repetitive, but lets be honest games with the greatest praises are repitive too after so many hours. In conclusion Sword Art Online Hollow Fragment is a good and fun action jrpg that can keep you company for many hours and since its a Vita exclusive you can play it in many different places. So have fun in Aincrad and dont mind the haters. Its not a perfect game but its definetly not bad either.… Expand
  11. TheBananaKing
    Aug 21, 2014
    10
    Hey folks! It's the Banana King here ready to write a small review for the wonder virtual world of death we all know and love in a game called Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment. So just peel banana, sit back, and enjoy the review. Let me start off by saying, the English is not perfect. I can read it and understand it just fine so it doesn't really bother me. The combat is actually reallyHey folks! It's the Banana King here ready to write a small review for the wonder virtual world of death we all know and love in a game called Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment. So just peel banana, sit back, and enjoy the review. Let me start off by saying, the English is not perfect. I can read it and understand it just fine so it doesn't really bother me. The combat is actually really great. YouTube kind of made it look like a pile of monkey poo, but when I actually played the game it was a blast. As a fan of the anime as well, I can say this game is pretty awesome.

    The only thing I didn't approve of is adding characters like Suguha and Sinon into the story since they show up after Sword Art Online. The fact that they are put in the Sword Art world is pretty weird. The menu screen is also really nice because it looks just like the menu the users in the anime had. The graphics are beautiful and are even better if you view them with the first person camera mode. I will tell you one disappointing factor though. You do not actually explore the cities on every floor. Just floor 76. The other floors just show an artwork piece of the city. You can go dates with other characters as well and develop a close bond with them. There's just so many features on this game.

    If you want to find out more you should check out some other reviews or buy the game! You really should buy this game if you are a fan of the anime. You will simply love it. I give this game a 10/10. This is TheMonkeyKing signing off. OO OO AH AH!    … Expand
  12. Mivo
    Aug 21, 2014
    10
    Sword Art Online is, in many ways, a MMO for one person: You. If you come in expecting a traditional JRPG experience, you may get disappointed. Story, combat system, crafting, and "what you do" is heavily MMO-based. For some people, like me, that is a massive plus, because it gives you the open virtual world experience of a real MMO without the tedium and annoyance of having to deal withSword Art Online is, in many ways, a MMO for one person: You. If you come in expecting a traditional JRPG experience, you may get disappointed. Story, combat system, crafting, and "what you do" is heavily MMO-based. For some people, like me, that is a massive plus, because it gives you the open virtual world experience of a real MMO without the tedium and annoyance of having to deal with other players. It's great for a dose of escapism.

    SAO very much feels like an online game (including your interactions with other characters). So if that's your thing, look no further and dive right in. Ex-WoW players, for example, who suffer from withdrawal symptoms, will find a cure here. Also folks who dig the .hack games will have a ball with SAO. You can grind as much as you want, without anyone stealing your spawn spots. :) Note, also, that the combat is largely melee-based (hence the name), though there are healing spells. But if you want to play a mage or an archer, you won't get your fix here. There are numerous types of blades, though, and skills (also passive ones), so it's not just 1H swords and little else. Far from it.

    Now, gamers who look for a deep, meaningful story with a narrow, linear design, SAO is probably not an ideal candidate. It has fantastic combat, but again, it's MMO-styled, with "hotkeys" and all that jazz. Watching the anime show that the game is based on (it spins off at around episode 14) is optional. It enhances the experience insofar that you meet "old friends"; but the game does introduce the player to everything that's necessary to know. Don't worry about being unable to get into the world of SAO without having watched the show. You'll be fine. (As someone who doesn't typically watch anime, I'll say that I really enjoyed the show, too.)

    Finally, it is a large, long game that will keep you entertained for many hours. There's post game content too, and in September '14 there will be a free expansion/DLC that adds even more content and additional zones. SAO will keep you busy for a long time -- if you like the MMO-style.    … Expand
  13. InvaderZim85
    Aug 20, 2014
    10
    awesomesauce... insert the good parts others have already said, yatta yatta, ditto and all that. love the game. ................................................
  14. NiclName
    Aug 20, 2014
    10
    Realy A good portion of the stories about the adventures of Kirito in SAO and other MMO world. Gameplay is similar to the last game of a "YS series" Games can be fun, and give a lot of hours in this unique universe.
  15. lzphoton
    Oct 1, 2014
    10
    Great game! love the story, and has over 100 hours of play. it would be my favorite game if it wasn't for the horrible translation but besides that i love this game, cant wait for a sequel
  16. Londars
    May 14, 2016
    9
    9 out of 10 only because it has no spanish subtitles... Remarkable in all aspects, Graphics are stunning considering it was a psp port to HD. Is necessary had seen the anime for full enjoying.
  17. Simisimi2004
    Jun 22, 2018
    10
    This is a game for every fan of Sword Art Online it makes fun to beat bosses but in the end it is a good JRPG.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PS Vita Game of 2014
10
#10 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2014
3
#3 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. The Vita Lounge
    Nov 17, 2014
    80
    A great RPG experience with a ton of content, a ton of room to grow your fully customizable character, and many different battle styles and areas to explore - you'll be playing this one for a hundred hours before you get bored... easily. My only real qualms with the title were cosmetic, so despite the fact that the game isn't perfect it's still one I'd whole-heartedly recommend.
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  2. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 24, 2014
    80
    Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is simply huge and filled with content but it is also very repetitive and dazzling for its own good. The abysmal translation does not help either, but if you are a fan of the anime and/or you are willing to take some time through every menu to understand what's going on, you will find there's quite a lot to enjoy.
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  3. Games Master UK
    Sep 19, 2014
    67
    Poor translation abounds. [Nov 2014, p.79]
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