The first time I ever watched Sword Art Online all those years ago, I remember thinking: this will probably be a real game someday.

Looking back, I guess you could say that was quite an understatement. Over the years, Sword Art Online evolved into a massive franchise not only spawning more seasons for the show but also a number of games across various platforms.

But the latest addition to its game library, Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, is special because I’d like to think it’s one for the fans.  

Revisiting the SAO universe

In Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream, your task is to investigate Galaxia — a new realm that appears within Alfeheim Online.

Galaxia is a mysterious void that holds fragmented and distorted memories from the different eras of the Sword Art Online universe. Quinella, the self-proclaimed Administrator, makes a return and is set up as the game’s main antagonist, (but also a playable character) seeking to manipulate these memories and reshape the world to her liking.

 Your task is to restore balance to Alfheim Online by purging the corrupted memory, confronting Quinella, and, unraveling the connections between this new realm and SAO’s virtual worlds.

Revisiting memorable scenes, battling alongside characters from different arcs, and exploring nostalgic locations — this, for me, is the game’s real draw and why I believe Fractured Daydream is bursting with nostalgia.

There are 21 playable characters. Expect high-speed and agile melee DPS with Kirito and Asuna (no surprises there). Tanks like Lisbeth and Alice offer some solid front-line defense, while magic users like Leafa bring their own flair.

And then the gun users like Llenn or Sinon bring a change of pace if you’re tired of hacking and slashing and want a bit more precision in your fight.

Unexpectedly, there are in-game purchases for character clothing, weapon skins, and more. Much like most MMOs, some are seasonal or limited-edition and may have you reaching for your credit card.

As for the combat system, though clunky at times, it hits a sweet spot of slight strategy and button mashing. It’s nothing unfamiliar; beyond your basic attacks, each character has their own special abilities and ultimate skills. You can switch between characters in your party at any time which keeps things fresh since you do get unique abilities for each.

Co-op is its strength and weakness

While story mode will take you through some of the series’ memorable scenes and events, soon enough, you’ll find yourself spending more time exploring or battling in raids. That’s because one of the key highlights of Fractured Daydream is its 20-man co-op battles.

It sounds daunting but it’s actually pretty straightforward. Whether it’s a raid or dungeon, you’ll be faced with a big boss at the end. This is where the chaos kicks in and you’re thrown into a pit of slashing swords, flying fairies, a multitude of colorful lights, swirls, and what have you.

If you’re smart about it, the experience isn’t just hack-and-slash; you can chain attacks with other players for a damage boost. However, I still think it’s hard to set off intentionally because honestly, there’s just so much going on.

It’s fun to see all the chaos,  though.

But while it is one of the major highlights of the game, its co-op system is a bit of a double-edged sword.

Co-op challenges

When the game first launched, it was easy to hop or start a co-op session because of the number of players available. A few hours of playtime were enough and most often the case during the first days/weeks of play.

I’m an adult however and life got in the way.  I took about a week off from playing and came back to a quieter world.

It wasn’t impossible but it was significantly harder to match with other players for raids and co-op battles. I’m not entirely sure why, but it could be because many active players have leveled up and moved on to tougher content. Or maybe it’s simply a case of fewer active players as time has passed.

This is where the game’s dependence on co-op becomes a bit frustrating for solo players like me. To unlock higher-tier dungeons and bosses, you need to defeat lower-tier ones first — and doing that solo isn’t really an option.

I get the reason for the dependence on co-op: it’s integral to SAO and its lore. But it’s definitely harder for solo players like myself. Thankfully, I do enjoy exploring more than raiding and have ended up leveling my characters there if I get too impatient to get matched for a co-op session. It’s a slower burn but it works for me.

But if you’re jumping into Fractured Daydream now, my advice is simple: find some friends if you want to level up faster.

Get ready for the grind

Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream isn’t reinventing the wheel for MMOs here and yup, you’re going to have to grind and repeat.

As a casual JRPG and MMO player, I knew what I was getting into, but there were moments when the grind in Fractured Daydream felt especially routine. It takes a bit of work to level up as you push through the game and the deeper you get into it, the more you’ll feel the repetitiveness of the combat and the gameplay — especially if you’ve cleared the story and have nothing else to do.

 For me, the game turned into something where I’d log in, knock out my dailies, maybe squeeze in some exploration if I was in the mood, and then jump into a raid if the timing was right. Afterward, I’d log off and repeat.

 It’s not necessarily a bad thing. This kind of grind is built into the fabric of the game. Not having a high-level character doesn’t stop you from enjoying, and there’s no pressure to achieve big progress in a short amount of time.

You can log in, get some playtime in, and log off without feeling like you’re missing out on massive chunks of content — one of the game’s strengths.

Familiar formula with a twist

At its core, Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is just another MMO. It fits a formula we’ve all seen before: unlock, level up, quest, grind, co-op, repeat. But, as I said earlier, if you are a fan of the franchise, this game will serve you a lot of nostalgia.

The multiverse concept works – whether it’s in Marvel or Alfheim – there’s something undeniably appealing about seeing characters from different arcs and timelines come together.

It’s not the fault of the game for leaning into the grind — that’s just what MMOs and JRPGs are to a certain extent. But Fractured Daydream lures you with its cast of characters and chaotically enjoyable co-op and raid battles.

What impressed me was how it managed to merge multiple arcs of the SAO universe into one cohesive experience. As a fan, it was deeply satisfying to see characters from different timelines interact and revisit iconic scenes and locations.

Should you play Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream?

Some have gone as far as saying that this is the best Sword Art Online game so far but I probably wouldn’t be on that camp just yet. It is a very good SAO game and a much-needed follow-up after years of waiting for a new title.

In the end, Sword Art Online: Fractured Memories is in no way revolutionary as a game but is sure one heck of a ride for fans of the franchise. It celebrates what we love about SAO and gives you a chance to experience the story all over again from a different perspective. And it’s enough to make this game work — grind-y or not.