Review for Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet. Game for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the video game was released on 08/02/2018 The version for PC came out on 23/02/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 23/02/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 23/02/2018
Sword Art Online returns to our consoles with another title from the original story, curated by novel writer Reki Kawahara. After several titles all set within MMORPGs, Bandai Namco and Dimps have tried to refresh their titles by changing the setting. In fact, although the game remains set within an MMO, the genre will not be the RPG but the TPS. Taking advantage of the concept of Gun Gale Online, a game shown in the second anime dedicated to Sword Art Online, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet was born. Will this title be good and original at the same time?
An online experience… but in single player
The story of Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet begins with the creation of the avatar: you will not be playing as Kirito, although there is a bonus mode that will allow you to do so, but in those of an original character who will communicate through multiple choice phrases. Unfortunately, these choices are very limited and do not allow true roleplay, but their presence helps the immersion, on which the title focuses a lot. On the other hand, the editor is good, allowing good changes, significantly improving the one present in some previous chapters.
The goal of Fatal Bullet is to engage the player in an MMO discovery experience, without bringing online content. The game is in fact entirely offline and the online modes are limited to enhanced bosses that can be faced in co-op or in a "speed race" against another team. Despite the limited multiplayer, the title returns an experience similar to that of an MMO thanks to some good ideas, such as having set the game just before a huge update that will insert a new Raid, accessible only if you have an Arfa-Sys. Fortunately, the player will be able to find one, or one, as the Arfa-Sys is an NPC that will assist its owner and can be created by us. Having the chance to enter the new raid and be the first to complete it, the player will find himself wanting to continue to the end. Over the course of the plot, the events will all focus on wanting to enter the history of GGO, finishing the new Raid first. Although Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet manages to keep the interest alive, unfortunately it fails to give a good script and, especially in the final stages, it loses consistency. In addition, the dialogues, optional and not, are fluctuating without ever being memorable, but sometimes resulting very pleasant in the case of in-depth dialogues of the secondary characters.
A new gameplay, TPS?
From the premises Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet would seem a TPS, but the way in which the shooter mechanics have been integrated makes it seem rather an action game, so much so that the title suggests using aim assist in the most excited phases to concentrate on dodging. A cover system is totally missing, which would have been welcome inside the dungeons, and the amount of enemies on the global map is very reminiscent of the previous titles of the saga. All this might seem like a flaw, but we must not be scared by these premises: the game is very fun and well thought out. The battles on the global map are quite confusing, but the dungeons have been built very well. You will need to think and adapt your approach based on the shape of the room and the type of enemies present. Being able to change your weapon from the menu at any time can be helpful, as adaptation to the situation can be vital for survival. The weapons available are all excellent to use and suitable for certain scenarios; the only problem in the weapon classes is the sword which is uncomfortable and ineffective.
A generally well thought-out gameplay is accompanied by an excellent customization system which aids in both immersion and playability. Each weapon will have a degree of rarity and a certain set of passive skills, which can be transferred through the appropriate materials, while the weapons are all upgradeable twice. This system, simple as it may seem, allows you to customize the character with considerable freedom, and exchanging or accumulating passive skills on weapons is a great idea that can induce the player to farm to optimize bonuses. It is also possible to equip 4 skills and 4 gadgets to each weapon, allowing for different play styles and giving an RPG component that goes beyond simple incrementable statistics. With a convincing gameplay structure, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet manages to entertain for several hours, also thanks to the long campaign that takes at least forty hours.
The technique weighs
Unfortunately, well thought out gameplay and game design with excellent insights are not always enough, especially in the development of a game that heavily exploits the artificial intelligence of companions. It is possible, and necessary, to bring with you up to three uncontrollable characters, belonging to the SAO brand (appreciated fanservice element). Unfortunately, the artificial intelligence that controls them is insufficient: in some sections, among the best in game design, the companions seem to fight against the player: suicides, bugs, lack of support towards the player and even non-compliance with the indications that can be imparting via menus are frequent events. Getting to game over because of your teammates is possible, indeed, relatively "normal", especially playing at high difficulty or below leveled, since the death of the player often the AIs do not know how to remedy. A shame, given that the dungeons are well built and, with an artificial intelligence up to it, it would be interesting to face them at extreme difficulty.
The graphics sector is mediocre: reused and low-resolution textures are the order of the day. The characters themselves are not very expressive and animated very lazily during the dialogues. In the same, already mentioned, excellent dungeons we often find ourselves having reused assets. There are also a few models of enemies, about twenty at most, so you will often have models reused with only the change of size or color, both for normal mobs and for bosses. To underline also the problems, certainly solvable but currently present, of framerate in the final bossfight, when you want to use the Gatling. The sound is instead pleasant and suitable for the various situations that unfold during the adventure and beyond.
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a game with good ideas done well, but penalized by a mediocre technical sector and artificial intelligence problems. It is not a product dedicated only to fans of the series, although they are certainly more inclined to appreciate it, but it can also be an excellent game for anyone who is intrigued by the gameplay or the unusual setting.
► Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is an Action-JRPG-TPS game developed by Dimps and published by Bandai Namco for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the video game was released on 08/02/2018 The version for PC came out on 23/02/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 23/02/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 23/02/2018
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