Accel World VS Sword Art Online is an interesting title. Despite sounding like a fighting game, it’s actually an action RPG, similar to previous Sword Art Online titles. Since the two worlds are similar, the crossover actually makes some level of sense. Both involve video games and crazy mechanics, so the similarities allow for a fairly seamless transition. With crossovers tends to be more fan service than anything else, is Accel World VS Sword Art Online worth investing in or is it yet another lame crossover?
Like all crossovers, Accel World VS Sword Art Online’s story exists to justify the two worlds coming together. The basic gist is a portal allows players from the future to travel to the past and appear in Alfheim Online. Together the two groups need to stop an evil from a more distant future from destroying Yui.
It isn’t much of a story, but it does a decent job approaching the tired subject. It doesn’t take long for the two groups to come together and after some quick explanations, like how the system adapted elements of Accel World to ALfheim Online, it isn’t far from what you’d expect from Sword Art Online. Kirito leads a team to defeat an evil force.
Similar to the story, Accel World VS Sword Art Online plays a lot like Sword Art Online: Lost Song. Every character has a normal and heavy attack, plus a number of magical abilities. Attacks vary depending on the weapon and include sword, twin swords, spear, bow and more. Magic includes dashing attacks, whirlwind moves, healing and other standard RPG fare.
One of the biggest strengths and weaknesses to Accel World VS Sword Art Online is that it isn’t a hard or complicated game. Most enemies can be defeated by mindlessly pressing attack, though there is blocking and dodging if you so choose. This sometimes comes in handy, especially during boss fights, though having an advantageous location helps more.
Enemies a what you’d expect from a fantasy game. There are slime creatures, lizard men, dragons and much more. Each of these enemies have their own advantage and disadvantage, in addition to having resources you can collect. These will give you materials you can use to enhance/create items or sometimes give you an item outright.
In addition to completing story levels, players can also complete side quests, talk to people in town, work together with others and more. A lot of these things aren’t required to have fun, but are a nice option to have. However, don’t expect a lot from them.
Like previous titles, Accel World VS Sword Art Online is not the most complicated game out there. The menus menus are very simple, with the quests being equally simple. Most are just killing or collecting something. They offer a nice bonus to exploring the world, but that is about it. A lot of the dialogue in town is similar. Characters have plenty to say, though missing it won’t impact enjoyment.
The biggest problem is how Accel World VS Sword Art Online has issues directing players where to go. While some of this is because you need to read what characters say, so skipping dialogue might be confusing, there are times when directions are very vague. You might be told to find a portal and then proceed to spend an hour looking at the map. Thankfully, the pause screen typically gives you a better idea of what to do, but it’s still easy to get lost or confused.
This won’t be a problem for those who like to explore, which there is a fair bit to see, but will be annoying for anyone who wants to finish or progress to the post game stuff as quickly as possible.
Verdict
Accel World VS Sword Art Online isn’t a bad game, but it isn’t a great game either. The simple gameplay will appeal to anyone just looking for a good time, with enough depth to keep things interesting. Combine this with plenty to explore and the ability to fly almost anywhere and you have a pretty good experience, if you can overlook some things. These include a cliché story and familiar story, so so flying mechanics and poor directions. Outside of that, Accel World VS Sword Art Online should appeal to fans of the series or anyone looking for simple fun.
[Editor’s Note: Accel World VS Sword Art Online was reviewed on PS4 platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]