Review of Sword Art Online

This review contains mild spoilers, but I do not think they are specific enough to particularly ruin anything. You've been warned. The first half is good. It exploits nostalgia Runscapers or WoW players might have, or maybe other RPG gamers. It was enjoyable, it had a great setup, the plot was promising. Then, they half assed it, were shocked by the popularity, then added what seemed like a forced second story that was so different you'd swear it's a second season or a new show all together. The first half has a story where a game developer creates a virtual reality game that feels super realand stuff. Then the bad guy goes crazy and forces everyone to play the game forever so he can feel like a god or something unimportant. The rule is simple, players need to make it to X destination in the game or else they will remain in the game until then.

This situation caused the game to reference many moments in gaming you would probably remember as a gamer, so it's quite satisfying. Players start looting other players, other players start huge clans to dominate the game with the best to try and clear floors and dungeons and stuff, it was cool.

Just as it was getting interesting, it was cut short by the final boss giving everyone an early taste of his awesomeness that the lead character totally fairly beaten. This cuts the situation short and the good part of the show is pretty much done.

There is then a complete change in scenery, obviously, since they are done with that game. This shift is to a completely new game with a new atmosphere and stuff. It isn't a positive transition. The storyline changed to a cliche, which is fine as long everything else carries or compensates for it (but it doesn't). The game atmosphere is unrelatable to gamers since there really is no game like it and the concept is stupid. So the charm that made it enjoyable is gone and now it's a mediocre anime you're just trying to finish because you're invested rather than enjoying yourself.

I do not think it's worth a watch for those looking for a well story driven experience. I do not regret watching it, but that is because I have no clue what I substituted in its place.