Fatal Bullet - Sword Art Online
Movies
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is a third-person action game based on the Sword Art Online light novel series for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows PC. It was released initially on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC on February 23, 2018. The Nintendo Switch release was called the "Complete Edition" and included all the DLC released post-launch on other platforms. It was released on August 9, 2019.
The game was developed by Japanese game studio Dimps, who are based in both Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. The game was created in Unreal Engine 4. It is published by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment.
Plot
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet takes place within [Gun Gale Online], the fictional game featured in the second series of the anime and subsequent manga and light novels. While still based on the events of the anime and novels, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet has an alternate timeline when compared to these sources. Following on from the events of [Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization], Zaskar releases Gun Gale Online after the advent of The Seed. The player character joins Gun Gale Online with their friend Kureha, and begin to explore the world. Before long they meet the main cast of the Sword Art Online universe, grounding the game in a familiar group of characters. In addition, the game also introduces a slew of new characters that includes a humanoid AI named ArFa-sys, a powerful rival Basalt Joe, a friendly player named Zeliska, and a strategic sniper and trap setter named Itsuki. There are three endings which are based upon player choices during the campaign, with one of those endings being called the "True Ending", which the developers consider to be canon. The story was overseen by series author Reki Kawahara to ensure that it fits within the universe.
Gameplay
For the first time in the Sword Art Online game series, Fatal Bullet allows players to create their own character from scratch. It is also the first game to feature firearm use when in battle, alongside the famous Photon Sword featured in the anime. Using a number of standard RPG mechanics, players will level up and unlock new skills and stats by completing quests and battling enemies. Eventually, the player will unlock the ability to dual wield a firearm and a Photon Sword, much like the main character from the anime, [Kirito Kirigaya].
There are many different weapons featured in the game, all of which have different strengths and weaknesses. Most weapons can also be upgraded using memory chips.
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet features online multiplayer. Players can form a party of four and complete co-op objectives together, or fight in four vs. four deathmatch battles. In each mode, player are tasked with taking down high-level boss enemies, with the added objective of eliminating the other squad if playing in the deathmatch mode which adds to the shifting dynamic of multiple competing objectives for the player.
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is the first game in the series to appear on Windows PC and the Xbox One. PC users can purchase the game via Steam as a digital download.
Reception
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet obtained a "mixed or average" score on video game review aggregation site Metacritic. IGN stated that the game was marred by the repetitive exploration mechanics, and ultimately was a good change of pace for the series but was lacking polish to make it really shine. Impulse Gamer stated that "uninspiring environments and generic gameplay mean that only hardcore fans of the SAO series will get the most out of Bandai Namco's latest effort". On Steam it currently has a "Very Positive" rating based on player reviews.
Sales
The Nintendo Switch version of Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet sold more than 11,000 physical units during its launch week in Japan. SteamSpy estimates showed that the game has sold over 500,000 units of the game digitally via Steam worldwide.