Sword Arts Online - The Review

Sword Art Online (SAO) was one of the newer sci-fi/adventure/romance anime released during the summer of 2012. Currently, there are 25 episodes for season 1. The series was based off the SAO light novel series written by Reki Kawahara. The main plot of the series revolves around online gaming in virtual reality. As an avid MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) player, I was deeply intrigued by the MMO plotline of the anime and so far, the series did not fail to impress me. =D 

Disclaimer: This review contains some spoilers from episode 1.

In the year 2022, a new generation of VRMMORPG (virtual reality MMO roleplaying game) titled "Sword Art Online" is released to the public after the beta trials. Using a high-technology Nervegear helmet, players would be able to engage their five senses and experience the game in virtual reality.

Nervegear: The next generation gaming helmet that allow players to experience virtual reality using their five senses

Players are able to fully immersed themselves in SAO using the next generation gaming helmet "Nervegear". This means that players will be able to feel the climate changes, the weight of the weapons that they are carrying or even savour the food and drinks served in the game. Players also have full range of control over their characters using their mind and are able to live out their lives in the SAO world. (Similar to the Matrix)

The beautiful floating castle"Aincrad" with 100 floors, a grand adventure awaits!

Sword skills that require reflexes and timing plays a big role in SAO

On November 6, 2022, all the players log in for the first time, and subsequently discover that they are unable to log out. They are then informed by the creator of SAO, that if they wish to be free, they must reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if their avatars die in the game, their bodies will also perish. Thus, this begins an adventure of survival, teamwork, and treachery that features over thousands of players.

Kayaba Akihiko announcing that there is no escape from the game except clearing the 100 levels 

The story follows Kirito, a skilled solo player who is determined to beat the game.

Kirito kun posing with his sword

What makes SAO so interesting was the fact that the anime intergrates unique MMO elements such as dungeons, skills levels, guilds, dungeons bosses and pvp elements into the storyline. These elements were cleverly introduced into the anime episodes and compliments the development of the characters in the anime. I personally enjoyed the anime and is now reading the light novel series for a more complete experience. 

Interestingly, Accel world's neuro linker using similar deep dive technology as the SAO's nervegear

I would strongly recommend this series to those who enjoyed MMO or anime such as .hack series or Accel world. 



Sword Art online trailer

The verdict: 9.0/10