Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment

1. GhoXen

   Sep 16, 2015

   10

   This review is going to be a bit different. In short... this game is not everyone's cup of tea. Please select the most appropriate reviewThis review is going to be a bit different. In short... this game is not everyone's cup of tea. Please select the most appropriate review based on how much of a SAO fan you are.
   
   TL;DR: Only SAO fans will enjoy this game, but the enjoyment is absolutely immense if you are a huge fan.
   
   1. SAO Uberfan (10/10)
   If for whatever reason you are an uberfan of the SAO series. Watched all the anime multiple times, read all the LNs up to Aliciazation, read all the side stories, supporting materials, etc. and think of all the what-ifs. And on top of that if you always have fond memories of the Aincrad arc and can't wait for Progressive series to be animated? The short answer is simply that this game is an absolute must-play for you. You will end up having an absolute blast over hundreds of hours simply because this is more of that stuff you wanted to smoke.
   
   2. SAO General Fan (8/10)
   If you watched the anime, or perhaps read a few LNs, and consider SAO one of the more enjoyable series out there, you should still be able to reap some fun from this game, especially considering its value. You will find Aincrad a fascinating place, and certainly appreciate all the opportunities to see how the good ol' Aincrad characters can develop in an alternative timeline. However, you may end up finding the grind and gameplay somewhat dreary, so don't expect the game to break any new grounds for your experience.
   
   3. JRPG fan watched anime (6/10)
   If you enjoy JRPGs in general and have at least watched the original SAO anime series or read the first few LNs, then this game is still a fair option on PS4. Let's be frank, there aren't that many exclusives out there at the moment. There are some interesting gameplay mechanics, but SAO is probably what you'd expect in a fairly traditional JRPG with a fair bit of grind, somewhat typical storyline, and generic environments. Nothing will stand out to you at the start, but you may end up appreciating the series if you find the characters, setting or story interesting.
   
   4. JRPG fan (4/10)
   If you are not familiar with the original series at all, this game will confuse the hell out of you. It will just be a bunch of random characters talking about random topics you don't understand, and the story itself may seem non-sensual to you. Coupled with the fact that the gameplay, graphics, performance, etc. are not stellar, it's highly unlikely that you will like this game.
   
   5. Not a fan of JRPG (1/10)
   If you don't even like JRPG and also never heard of SAO, then this game is not for you. Even for an entry title into the JRPG genre this game is not your best bet. Perhaps you can still give it a try if someone gifts it to you. Maybe you'll start liking anime or something.… Expand

   • 6 of 8 users found this helpful
2. SwitSwat

   Aug 10, 2015

   9

   I passed on the Vita version when I learned about this version. (Pre-purchased Lost Song and got this for free. I couldn't let this offerI passed on the Vita version when I learned about this version. (Pre-purchased Lost Song and got this for free. I couldn't let this offer slide). But it wasn't just for the offer. This version has improved visuals, extra content, and most importantly, a better translation that the infamous Vita translation. It plays very much like an MMORPG, very similar to FF XIV, and while the main story is a single-player experience, it is worth noting that the PS4 version includes an online multiplayer mode. One of the game's biggest drawbacks is the amount of useless dialogue it includes. As a fan of the anime myself, it was pretty interesting to read various character interactions, but eventually, it does get a bit tedious. That aside though, the game offers a solid combat system, tons of sidequests, and a very lengthy campaign that is sure to keep any SAO fan playing for 100+ hours.… Expand

   • 4 of 5 users found this helpful
4. Elenoire

   Aug 9, 2015

   8

   For those unaware, this game has been ported essentially 2 times now. From Infinity Moment (PSP) > Hollow Fragment (Vita) > Re: HollowFor those unaware, this game has been ported essentially 2 times now. From Infinity Moment (PSP) > Hollow Fragment (Vita) > Re: Hollow Fragment (PS4).
   
   This game is certainly not for everyone, it does not have "mainstream appeal" so naturally it won't review well.
   
   The game is a huge improvement over the Vita version of the game. Those who haven't played it will likely not appreciate them at all and just take them at face value. That said, the game does have its fair share of problems.
   
   Let's get the Negatives out of the way first. The game STILL has massive framerate drops in towns. You'd think they'd have fixed this since the problem was so prominent in the Vita version. There are bugs also present that crash the game in certain areas, some trophies are glitched and unobtainable, the game's tutorials are still pretty lackluster, and the button prompts were not fixed entirely.
   
   -Framerate issues
   This version of the game runs at 60fps while the Vita version ran at 30fps. However, the framerate drops present in this game go below even the Vita's since for some reason they though it was a good idea to add more NPCs to the town.
   
   -Bugs/Glitches
   Carrying over from the Vita version, in certain areas your game will constantly crash. Also, with the added online multiplayer component, some people are even losing data. Two trophies are currently glitched and unobtainable at the moment, something not present in the Vita version.
   
   -Other
   The game has you figure out mostly everything on your own since the tutorials don't explain much. Whether you think this as a negative or positive is subjective but not even explaining some crucial basics is bad design.
   
   Now for the good stuff.
   
   The game is great for Sword Art Online fans. It's recommended you have watched up to episode 14 of the anime before playing this as it continues from that point. Otherwise you'll be spoiled of those events.
   
   **said spoilers ahead
   
   The game continues from the ending of Sword Art Online, where Kirito defeats Heathcliff and the game "ends". However, here the game does not end and you have to clear the remaining 25 floors of Aincrad to escape.
   
   Going through the floors of Aincrad is pretty fun, they're all unique and have great level design. The boss fights can get pretty challenging as well with having to manage your group so no one dies-- because they stay dead forever, you know.
   
   The other part of the game is the Hollow Area. Here, you go through a different place separate from Aincrad with a new character named Phillia. The enemies are tougher, the maps are more complex, and the story here is completely new.
   
   The combat of the game plays like an MMO. You can guard, dodge, attack, but most importantly- use skills. Skills are divided between Sword Skills and Buffs. The amount of skills you can get in this game is astounding. With numerous weapon types to choose from as well, the combat always feels fresh.
   You can even bring partner characters and fight together with them. The combat gets even deeper with Original Sword Skills (OSS), this allows you to create your own skill combos and deal massive damage.
   
   New to this version of the game is online multiplayer.
   You can now complete hollow missions with friends online. It's similar to something you'd see in monster hunter or phantasy star online. You're in a lobby and are able to select a mission to do. However, the instructions are quite unclear. There is a tutorial but it's hidden in an NPCs menu options that people don't seem to find. So when going online, there are people that have no idea what they're doing and can cause some frustration. However, when playing with people who are knowledgeable, multiplayer is quite fun. You can even trade with other people in the lobby, chat with each other among other things.
   
   A redone translation.
   The translation for the Vita version of the game was horrible, it had grammatical errors all over. This time it's been redone and it's perfect.
   
   Remastered
   Although this is a Vita port, it doesn't mean they didn't touch the game up a bit. The game does have new character models, environments, textures, enemy models (bosses especially) and higher quality 2D artwork.
   Running out of space so I can't go into detail about everything, but in the end, the game is a good JRPG. It just doesn't hold your hand through it like most of the casual audience wants it to.
   
   Other features the game has that I won't go into detail about:
   -Character Creation
   -Romance
   -Events
   -Crafting
   -Extra content (Level cap raised, New side stories, more gears, etc.)… Expand

   • 5 of 5 users found this helpful
5. CoinOpTV

   Nov 23, 2016

   7

   Sword Art Online Hollow Realization is an action Japanese Role Playing Game from Bandai Namco. The Sword Art Online games are quicklySword Art Online Hollow Realization is an action Japanese Role Playing Game from Bandai Namco. The Sword Art Online games are quickly becoming serialized and almost annual like the Tales of series or Call of Duty. Before playing Hollow Realization I may have considered this a bad thing, but my mind has been changed. The game is based in the Sword Art Online universe – a popular anime and manga – created by Reki Kawahara. What makes Hollow Realization special is how Kawahara created an original story for the game instead of the game relying on previously-released storylines.
   
   What impressed me the most with Hollow Realization is the amount of improvements that have been made from the previous iterations. The graphics are improved, especially in town and in the character design. It’s still a little muddy when the action is hot and heavy, but compared to Lost Song or Hollow Fragment, it’s a vast improvement. The combat has also been overhauled. They have gone from a heavy dose of button mashing to a style that resembles an actual MMO, which is great because the premise of SAO is that the characters are playing an MMO. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, but I can appreciate the effort to make it better.
   
   Where Hollow Realization comes up short is how everything feels so overwhelming. You can strike up relationships with everyone – literally everyone in the “game.” So, I stop to talk to people and fulfill collections for them and now I’m trying to maintain dozens of relationships outside of the main group of characters, which numbers close to ten itself. Speaking of fulfilling side quests, I’m the type of person that picks up all side quests. At any given time, I was juggling 50 side quests/collections on top of the main story quest. Then there are Event Fragments and smaller fight events that also distract from the main experience. It just becomes too much.
   
   Overall, Sword Art Online Hollow Realization is for the hardcore Japanese Role Playing Game player or fan of the SAO universe. This is especially true for the fans of the series. You really don’t want to miss out on this storyline, as I would consider this now a part of the canon. That said, this is not for the new or casual player. The unfamiliar will get lost in the mammoth systems and non-linear design.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. LuizDaBike

   Dec 31, 2021

   7

   Vamos la. Eu esperei termina o jogo pra fazer essa analise pra ver se realmente vale a pena comprar ou não , ja adianto que esse jogo não éVamos la. Eu esperei termina o jogo pra fazer essa analise pra ver se realmente vale a pena comprar ou não , ja adianto que esse jogo não é pra todo mundo, lembrando que estamos falando de um porte de um jogo de 2014 então releve algumas coisas dele.
   Eu avia comprado o jogo a bastante tempo, porem quando comecei a jogar achei muito sem graça e sem sal , porem resolvi dar uma chance e me surpriendi em algumas coisas.
   O jogo é um "E SE..." de sword art online que conta o que aconteceria se Kirito não tivesse derrotado Kayaba no andar 75°. a ideia em si é ótima porém mal explorada e uma outra historia em paralelo .
   Pontos negativo:
   o jogo em si é ultrapassado, cheio de ctrl C e ctrl V, inimigos repetitivos que fica a ser ridiculo a pouca originalidades dos monstros ( isso inclue o bosses ), dialogos com imagens estaticas no fundo, alguns bugs ( n tive bugs que estragavam a experiencia mas acontecia ), I.A que não serve pra muita coisa alem de bater e te ajudar nos combos
   Pontos positivos :
   poder saber como teria acabado a anime se tivesse continuado os andares.
   Um aprofundamento maior em alguns personagens.
   
   Eu cheguei apenas a zerar a parte dos 100° andares e não me senti motivado a fazer a parte do hollow land. sendo bem sincero tava cansativo.
   apenas no andar 98° que eu achei que o jogo começou a ficar bom ( sim no 98) porque era sempre a mesma coisa até chegar lá , até tinha algumas coisas nos outros andares mas nada wow!.
   EM FIM
   para quem eu recomendo esse jogo: PESSOAS QUE GOSTAM MUITO DE SAO e que queiram saber mais sobre a historia do anime, se você não manja nada do universo do anime e quer tentar jogar esse jogo , vai passar tedio ou raiva.
   Minha nota é 7/10 levando em conta a época e eu senti que a empresa estava apenas testando esse jogo… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
7. bartalex

   Dec 7, 2016

   6

   Historia muy pobre y no muy fiel al anime.
   Jugabilidad muy mala al estilo " ps2 ".
   Muchos personajes aun que muy lineales. PocaHistoria muy pobre y no muy fiel al anime.
   Jugabilidad muy mala al estilo " ps2 ".
   Muchos personajes aun que muy lineales.
   Poca personalizaciones de los personajes mas alla de dos o tres trajes y pocas armas.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Adriella01

   Feb 22, 2020

   3

   I was a big SAO fan and thought this might be good. The graphics quality is honestly underperformed for a 2015 game. Most of the time I don'tI was a big SAO fan and thought this might be good. The graphics quality is honestly underperformed for a 2015 game. Most of the time I don't mind bad graphics, except this time they charged too much for bad performance. It looks like a bad game version of the good old classic 2004 flyff but in HD and the gameplay is the same. Most of the time after half an hour of fighting and exploring I had to watch static character portraits talking to each other. At the beginning I had enough interest to listen to the long dialogues, which got less and less after some hours and after a while it got a bit annoying listening to SO MANY pointless conversations.
   
   Still waiting for namco to make a good sao game of the first arc.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful

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