During my adventure at Anime Expo 2023, I had a chance to watch a Sword Art Online Last Memories. Since then Sword Art Online: Empty Piece days ago, I watched (or even re-watched) all of these games. last recollection find yourself in an interesting place, mixing elements of previous games and newer games.
In about 15 minutes, I had a chance to run through an area Sword Art Online Last Memories in a preview build and discover what happened. There’s not much in this mostly linear part of the map based on Arc War of Underworld – I’m still not sure if the game is open world, even after asking a waiter – other than a few enemies and a place to buy goods .
Photos via Bandai Namco
Exploration is pretty standard in this section, with the ability to sprint and jump around the map rather boring. However, the heart of the game is combat. This newest entry reminds me of the oldest games like hollow piece in an attempt to really copy the MMO style that the world Online Swordsmanship was based in the first place.
At this point in the demo build, players have a lot of skills and options at their disposal. I can use my own skills on the character I’m impersonating, with some skills available using the R1 button. Also I have command-like features that can sometimes heal and things like that with L1.
And that’s all before considering the protect button, the dodge button, and the ability to switch characters between battles. All in all, it definitely reminds me more of Aincrad’s days Online Swordsmanship games while having the aesthetics of recent times Alicization Lycorisbetter and worse.
While the normal battles are pretty straightforward, much of the preview consists of an MMO-like boss battle with a giant mantis creator. This fight is surprisingly difficult, with the boss having over 600,000 health and two weak points. It was a lengthy battle that could have taken me almost eight minutes or so to win, even with a group of Kirito, Eugeo, Alice, and newcomer Dorothy.
Photos via Bandai Namco
Each member of the team plays significantly differently. Kirito is much faster than the others, with his classic dual-sword technique, but speed can sometimes be at risk. The best boy Eugeo, on the other hand, is a bit more outspoken, with a good balance between his speed and movement. And then there was Alice, who was much slower, but capable of attacking with her sword; sadly, I don’t have time to test Dorothy.
To its credit, Sword Art Online: Last Memories definitely gives off an MMO vibe in everything it does. Enemy attacks are noted on the ground with glowing circles with a short window to dodge. There are stages and you really have to learn how to fight to win.
I even had a game on the screen on my first try, from which I learned what I did wrong and won again on the second attempt when I understood the rules of it. In this way, I can see how interesting this game is in its depth and difficulty.
Photos via Bandai Namco
However, much of the challenge for me really comes from the gameplay itself. I’d say there’s probably just too much going on in terms of combat picks, at least at this point. Also, I feel that canceling an attack or arts to dodge is a bit slow, resulting in some hits hitting me. Perhaps with more time with the game in the first place, it wouldn’t matter as much as being thrown in like this.
For now, though, it’s a bit overwhelming trying to juggle all the different combat options available to me and the flashy effects that happen on screen in Sword Art Online Last Memories. In this way, I’m not sure I’d prefer this MMO-inspired fighting style to the somewhat more sensible and niche gameplay of the past. Online Swordsmanship games like Alicization Lycoris And fatal bullet.
Sword Art Online Last Memories will release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 5, 2023.
