SWORD ART ONLINE Alicization Lycoris Reviews

So much cut scene

SWORD ART ONLINE Alicization Lycoris, developed by AQURIA and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, is a sprawling action RPG that attempts to bring the expansive world of the Sword Art Online anime’s Alicization arc to life. With its immersive environments, familiar characters, and an ambitious mix of open-world exploration and real-time combat, the game caters primarily to fans of the series while offering a considerable, if uneven, experience for newcomers to JRPGs. Drawing heavily from the events of the anime’s Alicization storyline, the game follows Kirito’s journey through the mysterious Underworld, a vast virtual world teetering between peace and chaos. At its foundation, Alicization Lycoris tries to balance narrative fidelity with gameplay freedom. The first portion of the game is a relatively linear retelling of the Alicization arc, closely mirroring the anime and introducing characters like Eugeo, Alice, and the Integrity Knights. This section serves as a lengthy prologue—one that spans many hours—and, while it provides deep lore and context for the world, it also suffers from pacing issues. Long-winded dialogue scenes and frequent cutscenes can sometimes stall momentum, especially for players more eager to dive into combat and exploration than watch story segments unfold. That said, for fans of the source material, these narrative details provide a satisfying level of authenticity and character depth. Once the story opens up, the game transitions into a more open-world design with large, interconnected regions filled with side quests, dungeons, and enemies. Visually, the environments are vibrant and expansive, with sweeping plains, dense forests, and luminous caverns giving the world a distinct, almost ethereal tone. While not graphically cutting-edge, the art direction captures the anime’s spirit well. However, the world can feel somewhat empty at times, and repetitive side quests—often centered on fetch tasks or simple monster hunts—don’t always make the best use of the lush setting. Still, there’s an undeniable satisfaction in roaming the world with your party, engaging in fights, and unlocking new areas as the plot progresses. Combat in Alicization Lycoris is one of its most ambitious and divisive features. It blends real-time action with MMO-like mechanics, including cooldown-based skills, buffs, combos, and party coordination. On paper, this system offers considerable depth, allowing players to chain abilities, customize skill loadouts, and issue commands to allies mid-battle. In practice, however, the learning curve is steep, and the combat can initially feel clunky or chaotic. Timing attacks and skills requires rhythm and precision, and managing cooldowns while positioning in a 3D space adds a layer of tactical challenge. Over time, combat becomes more intuitive and rewarding, particularly in tough encounters or boss fights that demand strategic use of skills and teamwork. Character progression is robust, with a wide skill tree allowing for specialization in different weapon types and combat roles. Players can experiment with swords, spears, rapiers, and more, unlocking active and passive abilities that complement their playstyle. The bonding system further deepens customization, as you build relationships with party members and unlock additional support skills and interactions. This mechanic ties into the game's social aspects, allowing for more dynamic team compositions and creating an emotional layer that fans of the anime will especially appreciate. Post-launch updates have added a considerable amount of content, including new characters, story expansions, and gameplay tweaks. While the game launched with numerous technical issues—performance drops, bugs, and long load times—ongoing support from the developers has helped smooth out many of the rough edges. Still, some problems linger, such as awkward animations, inconsistent AI behavior, and UI clutter that can hinder the overall polish of the experience. These technical drawbacks don't ruin the game, but they do occasionally distract from what is otherwise a compelling and content-rich title. One of the standout features of Alicization Lycoris is its commitment to player freedom post-story. Once the main narrative is complete, a wealth of additional content becomes available, including high-level raids, rare gear hunts, optional bosses, and online multiplayer. Co-op functionality allows players to team up with others, adding longevity for those who want to continue developing their character and exploring every nook of the Underworld. Though multiplayer lacks some of the structure and incentives seen in more established MMOs, it’s a welcome addition that expands the game’s scope. Music and voice acting are high points, with a beautiful score that ranges from peaceful ambient tracks to dramatic battle themes. Japanese voice acting is fully featured and well-performed, capturing the personalities of the cast faithfully. English text localization is generally solid, though it occasionally suffers from awkward phrasing or grammatical inconsistencies. For fans of the Sword Art Online franchise, hearing Kirito, Alice, and the rest of the crew interact in new situations outside the anime is a treat, and the game provides plenty of fan service in the form of optional dialogue scenes and unlockable content. In conclusion, SWORD ART ONLINE Alicization Lycoris is a deeply ambitious RPG that strives to offer an authentic and expansive SAO experience. It succeeds in delivering a rich, character-driven story and an intricate combat system that rewards patience and experimentation. However, it’s also weighed down by technical limitations, uneven pacing, and a sometimes convoluted user interface. For fans of the anime or those seeking a JRPG with a unique blend of MMO-style combat and open-world exploration, it’s a rewarding, albeit flawed, journey. With enough commitment, the game's world opens up into something truly compelling, but it requires time and tolerance to fully appreciate its depth and charm. Rating: 7/10