Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 70 | 52 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 65% | 63 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 68% | 66 | 6 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 18 reviews sampled · 14 total reviews in window · weighted 7.7 up / 3.6 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (32)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 75
“SWORD ART ONLINE: Fractured Daydream probably won’t be a contender for Game of the Year, but it’s still a great game. It features an engaging story, thrilling battles, beloved characters, fantastic audio, and beautiful graphics. Unfortunately, it also has a ton of microtransactions; the multiplayer isn’t quite polished in my opinion; and the game really pushes you to buy it. It’s not exactly bad when you see how smoothly the game flows, but, as they say, something is missing, and that’s a real shame. Still, whether you’re a fan of the series or looking for a new action RPG, Fractured Daydream is definitely worth checking out.”
read full review ↗ - 70
““Dimps” combat mechanics is what carries “Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream”’s middling plot, repetitive quests and an undercooked free roam mode. There’s a lot to love if you played every “Sword Art Online” game, but sadly, I am not one of them.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is the next chapter in Kirito's story. Instead of presenting a new adventure, it seeks to revive the past once more and bring back old friends to solve another problem in the digital world. Despite the convoluted plot, it offers superb co-op gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream was an experience of ups and downs for me. I really enjoyed the main idea of the game, both for showing an original plot that pleases veterans, while also introducing the universe to newcomers, and for the simple and fun combat. [...] However, I think that the repetitive nature of the game, greatly encouraged by the monetization model they used, can make the experience a little draggy at times.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream marks a promising beginning for a new phase of games based on the light novel, featuring a well-structured mission system, incredibly fun gameplay, and a successful focus on multiplayer. While the plot indulges in fanservice and has some missteps, the characters' charm and the interactions between characters from different SAO eras give the title a special touch, making it almost indispensable for any fan of Reki Kawahara's story.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is a fun and very easy-to-play title. It will be interesting for anyone who has ever wanted to learn more about the world of SAO. But it is not designed for hardcore gamers.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream's main campaign story is thoroughly entertaining, which hardcore fans are bound to adore. However, the half-baked multiplayer brings down the whole experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bandai Namco is forging the iron while hot and not letting the SAO series go to rest. Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is the next installment in a series of games aimed at fans of the series, whether they wanted it or not.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream is a love letter to the Sword Art Online franchise. You get to play your favourite characters from both Sword Art Online and Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online, in a story that unites both worlds. It's compelling and it adds shock value, especially if you follow the anime or light novel. In addition, the multiplayer campaign is well-built as it encourages teamwork and knowledge of your chosen character. Lastly, there is an incentive to play the game over and over as the in-game achievements challenge you to achieve the highest score and learn what happens to your favourite characters.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“Fractured Daydream is as messy as the anime itself, perfectly capturing both the highs and lows of the series. Sword Art Online fans have been waiting for a game like this, but it doesn't quite hit the mark as the perfect SAO experience. The 20-player online multiplayer is a true tribute to the series, with exciting combat and a massive character roster that guarantees some wild, chaotic fun. Yet for every two steps forward, it takes one step back, weighed down by outdated mechanics and a story mode that doesn’t quite hit the mark. While it might not reach the heights of Fatal Bullet, it edges closer to delivering the Alfheim Online experience fans are dreaming of.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is better than many of the previous attempts to turn the SAO license into a game. The story may not be worth mentioning and the missions quickly become repetitive, but it plays really well and the online team battles in particular are great fun with other anime fans.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“As a tribute to the franchise it's not bad, but as a game in general, there are more interesting proposals on the market, whether it's a JRPG or a hack and slash. However, those who don't mind repetition can enjoy it. This is where the line is drawn to decide whether or not to buy the product.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Release Note for 2025/10/30Oct 30, 2025
- Ver.1.1.2.0 Update Released!Oct 24, 2024