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) | – | 67 | 22 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 79% | 73 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 76% | 71 | 11 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 30 reviews sampled · 26 total reviews in window · weighted 15.3 up / 4.9 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (59)
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.
- 70
“Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is probably the best project in the series over the past few years. It features nice combat mechanics and an interesting system for collecting loot and exploring dungeons. On the other hand, it lacks a good story and proper explanation of important game elements. Sadly, our final impression was spoiled.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Even though there are many people who don't like the original anime, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet does a good job of being a quality game that can please even those people. Beautiful graphics, good relationship systems, interesting combat. There are many good points here, compared to the few flaws. Overall, it's a good game based on a popular anime, so everyone wins.”
read full review ↗ - 30
“A complete failure to make the setting interesting, insipid progression, and mediocre gameplay make for a thoroughly underwhelming experience, with the primary appeal being to fans of the franchise who simply want to see the characters extol the unshown virtues of fictional VRMMORPGs.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Developer Dimps have used their industry experience combined with the capabilities of Unreal Engine 4 to create what is arguably the best Sword Art Online game to date. Although a little bit grindy in the later half of the game, it does have an addicting shoot n loot gameplay loop that will keep you addicted for some time.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“A good pick up for people fond of Japanese animation, even if it lacks a compelling narrative.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a surprisingly enjoyable third-person shooter that's unfortunately bogged down by poor level design and an intrusive story. Cut-scenes occur far too frequently, and for too long, while the core design stays relatively static from start to finish. It's especially disappointing because the actual gunplay is quite enjoyable and the controls are some of the smoothest in the genre. With a trimmed down narrative, a better gameplay to story ratio, and more complex level design, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet could have stood out as a particularly impressive licensed game. As is, however, it's a decent attempt held back by some unfortunate design elements.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is easily the most polished Sword Art Online game to date, but it's also one of the least imaginative. A strange union of third-person shooting and role-playing action, it offers up quite a unique mix of gameplay and a progression loop that's really quite addictive, but the overall package rarely thrills. By stepping away from Kirito and the gang, the story definitely benefits, but it's not enough to inject life into a game that often feels bland and monotonous. Fatal Bullet's still a solid anime-based title, but unless you love to grind, you'll likely lose interest.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Fatal Bullet isn't going to light any charts on fire, but for those looking for a different take on the genre, it accomplishes what it sets out to do well.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It is no secret that I am a fan of Reki Kawahara's Sword Art Online franchise; when I first saw the anime back in 2012 I was hooked. I was going through a bit of a rough spell on a personal level and it just clicked; in a way the Aincrad arc could be seen as a parallel to my own troubles at the time. It holds a special place in my heart so each time a Sword Art Online title came around I lobbied for the chance to get my hands on them and the case is no different for Bandai Namco's latest dive into the franchise, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet. Eschewing some of the more tedious features of the past games, Fatal Bullet is an excellent, if repetitive third person action RPG.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Overall, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet was not as perfect as I wanted it to be, but it's a step in a very good direction. I thought the previous games were pretty spammy with attacks, and many enemies felt like mobile sponges, and although the same occurs in Fatal Bullet, the enemies are far more badass. The guns lead to ranged combat, and since you see enemy attacks coming from miles away, it can sometimes seem boring, but the game has a way of keeping you on your toes. I don't remember how many fights I thought were going to be quick and easy but ended up being more difficult and tenser. The story may not be good enough to be considered a mainstream option, but for the JRPG community and SAO fans, there is an extreme amount of fun to be had here. If you've played the previous games, Fatal Bullet is an overall improvement and a step up.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you are dare, explore devastated lands in the world of Gun Gale Online. Action combat is amusing and you will meet new and familiar faces from the Sword Art Online series.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“The focus may be on you and your avatar but sadly Sword Art Online Fatal Bullet relies too heavily on it's source material and won't let you leave the shadow of the series protagonist. Repetitive gameplay, undeveloped systems and a story that is forgettable leave this entry in the series rather disappointing.”
read full review ↗
GameMAG
GameFM
RPGamer
ani-game.com
VGChartz
Cubed3
Push Square
ZTGD
Chalgyr's Game Room
Worth Playing
SECTOR.sk
GameGrin…and 47 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- August 2019 Patch UpdateAug 28, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet - April 2019 Patch UpdateApr 18, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Note 11th March 2018Mar 13, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Note 11th March 2018Mar 13, 2018