Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization

 PlayStation Vita
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
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  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Dec 1, 2016
    70
    Experience the game with the mindset of wanting to get lost in a virtual world, though, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Hollow Realization’s hidden charms.
  2. Attack of the Fanboy
    Nov 21, 2016
    70
    While the combat is well designed and the worlds feels more expansive and alive than ever, the pacing with the story and overabundance of dialogue prevent Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization from taking the series to the next level.
  3. The Vita Lounge
    Dec 12, 2016
    58
    Hollow Realisation is a game that is very much nearly there; if the main storyline had higher stakes, more interesting quests & events and gameplay that didn't get stale after a few hours, it could very easily have been fantastic.
  5. Gaming Age
    Dec 19, 2016
    50
    To the game's credit, it retained one of the things that set Long Song apart: the combat. True, thee's a lot less flying involved, but much like the games before it, Hollow Realization is good at making fighting enemies nice and satisfying...It's just too bad that the same can't be said for anything else here. The first two games in the Sword Art Online franchise showed promise and then delivered, respectively. It's a shame that it's hard to view Hollow Realization as anything but a giant step backwards.
  6. Pocket Gamer UK
    Nov 16, 2016
    50
    Convoluted and grind-focused, Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization will alienate newcomers and potentially bore old fans.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 5 out of 21
  1. alex_dragon
    Nov 11, 2016
    8
    Having played it for over 10 hours its great. Its much better compared to Lost Songs/ Hollow Fragment. Those combats are very dull andHaving played it for over 10 hours its great. Its much better compared to Lost Songs/ Hollow Fragment. Those combats are very dull and repetitive. This one has more options and options aren't as limited as the other two. The preorder bonus only gave me god eater outfits/ night wear, i sent an Email to Bandai. and just recently they are giving it away to ppl for free on their main website and i got the asuna maid outfit!

    The best thing about the game is that you no longer start at OP level. you start at level 1 and the game is really challenging. I've died several times so far, and i thought the game will make you die in real life but i guess its not like that. the game is definitely worth a try if you have plenty of free time.

    it is kind of grindy but i guess that goes to all rpg games. but again remember this game is for those who loves SAO. I hated the fairy part myself and only liked the first Aincrad Art. and the story follows on SAO-Origin. so yes if you don't like SAO unfortunately i highly doubt you will like the game. but for those who like SAO im sure they will like it.    … Full Review »
  2. samuraikyoz
    Jun 11, 2017
    10
    LOVE IT!!! Awesome game in it's own context, especially with the latest update. Like it more than Hollow Fragment. Never tried SAO Lost song,LOVE IT!!! Awesome game in it's own context, especially with the latest update. Like it more than Hollow Fragment. Never tried SAO Lost song, but don't care. Every game it's not for everyone. But if you think you will like it, get it, because you might enjoy quite a lot. It's sad that this game has received such bad rep on youtube and other online places.… Full Review »
  3. Ramadoka
    Mar 12, 2017
    9
    It has a decent main-story, but side-story is cringy as **** which is a trademark in any SAO merchandise. Battle System is one of the mostIt has a decent main-story, but side-story is cringy as **** which is a trademark in any SAO merchandise. Battle System is one of the most advanced one where you don't just spams button, but you need to actually time it well. It takes time to get used to create a chain-combo, but once you got it, it's not really hard.

    AI used to be sucks hard, but after the patch, they now has a better survivability.
    If you're the type to complete the game 100%-ly, it might take a while to grind material to get the best weapon, but you don't really need it actually.

    And thanks to the latest patch, now there's more harder dungeon to explore, with a bit different quest-system than the main story. It's really good.

    Personally, I'd like to give it a score of 8 due to its cringey side-story, but I liked the battle system more than any other vita games, so I'll cut it some slack.    … Full Review »
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