Honestly, if you’ve been following the Gameverse for the last decade, you knew Sword Art Online Last Recollection was going to be a weird one. It’s the end of an era. Bandai Namco basically pitched this as the grand finale to the alternate timeline that started all the way back with Infinity Moment on the PSP. That’s a lot of baggage. You’ve got years of character development, "what if" scenarios, and a combat system that has been refined, broken, and rebuilt more times than I can count.
It’s a massive game. It’s also a messy one.
When you boot it up, you're immediately hit with the weight of the War of Underworld. But here’s the thing: it’s not the story you watched in the anime. It’s different. Dorothy, the Dark Knight protagonist who doesn’t exist in the original light novels by Reki Kawahara, is the heart of this experience. She’s the lens through which we see the "Peace Talks" between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory. Does it work? Sorta. It depends on how much you’re willing to let the game deviate from the canon you know.
The Combat in Sword Art Online Last Recollection is a Hyperactive Mess (In a Good Way)
Let's talk about the buttons. If you played Lycoris, you know it felt a bit heavy. Clunky, maybe. Sword Art Online Last Recollection throws that out the window for something that feels much more like an old-school high-speed action RPG. It’s fast. Like, really fast. You’re chaining Sword Skills, switching between party members, and trying to keep the "Aerial" combo going while the screen is basically exploding with particle effects.
It’s chaotic. Sometimes you can’t even see Kirito.
One of the biggest shifts is the removal of the complex tactical commands in favor of a more streamlined "Sub-Palette" system. You’ve got your main skills, your finish arts, and your team-up attacks. The game rewards you for being aggressive. If you sit back and try to play it like a traditional tab-target MMO, you’re going to get flattened by the boss's AOE attacks.
There are over 40 playable characters. That is an insane number for an RPG. You’ve got the staples like Asuna, Sinon, and Leafa, but then the game digs deep into the roster. You’re getting characters from Alicization Lycoris, Fatal Bullet, and even Hollow Realization. It feels like a high school reunion where everyone brought a giant glowing sword. The downside? Keeping everyone geared up is a nightmare. You’ll find yourself sticking to a core group of four just because the thought of managing the inventory for 40 people makes your head hurt.
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Technical Hiccups and the "Last Gen" Feel
We have to be real here. Despite being on PS5 and Series X, this game looks like a very polished PS4 title. The environments in the Dark Territory are... bleak. I get it, it’s a wasteland, but there’s a lot of brown and grey. You’ll spend hours running through rocky canyons that all start to look the same after a while.
Performance is generally okay, but the frame rate can take a hit when you’ve got four players all triggering "Super Arts" at the same time. It’s the price you pay for the spectacle. And the loading screens? They’re better than Lycoris, but you’ll still have enough time to check your phone during the transition between major zones.
Why the Story of Dorothy Actually Matters
Dorothy is a polarizing character. Some fans feel she takes too much spotlight away from Kirito, but I’d argue she’s the only thing keeping the plot grounded. Her relationship with her father and her struggle to bridge the gap between two warring factions provides the emotional stakes. In the original series, the Dark Territory was often just "the bad guys." In Sword Art Online Last Recollection, we see the nuance. We see the goblins, the giants, and the dark knights as people with their own cultures and fears.
It’s a bold move.
The game spends a lot of time on dialogue. A lot. If you aren't a fan of Visual Novel-style storytelling, you’re going to be hitting the "skip" button frequently. But for those of us who grew up with these versions of the characters, seeing Eugeo alive and interacting with the War of Underworld cast is pure fanservice in the best way possible. It’s a "Fixed Ending" for a story that was originally quite tragic.
The Gear Grind is Real
If you want the best weapons, prepare to live in the "Trial" statues. The endgame of Sword Art Online Last Recollection revolves around perfecting your build. You aren't just looking for high attack stats; you’re looking for specific passives that reduce cooldowns or increase your guard break potential.
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- Enhancing: You need materials from specific world bosses.
- Transmutation: Turning old junk into slightly better junk.
- The Sacred Arts: Magic is actually useful this time around, especially for buffs.
The difficulty spikes are no joke. You’ll be breezing through a field, and suddenly a "Divine Beast" will one-shot your entire party because your accuracy stat wasn't high enough. It’s a very Japanese RPG quirk—numbers matter more than skill sometimes.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
People keep asking if they need to play the previous games. Honestly? It helps, but the game includes a "Story So Far" video. Watch it. Don't go in blind. The Gameverse is a separate continuity from the anime. If you go in expecting it to follow the Unital Ring arc or the movie plots, you’ll be confused.
This is the conclusion of the "Aincrad to Underworld" journey that started with a glitch in the first game. The stakes are different. The relationships are different. Kirito and Asuna are still the power couple, but their history with characters like Strea and Philia (who are game-exclusive) changes the dynamic.
Is it the "perfect" SAO game? No. That probably doesn't exist. But it is the most complete. It feels like a love letter to the fans who stuck around through the rough patches of Hollow Fragment and the identity crisis of Fatal Bullet.
Actionable Tips for New Players
If you’re just starting your journey in the Dark Territory, keep these points in mind to avoid the early-game frustrations that turn people off.
First, don't ignore the "Tactical" menu. Even though the game is faster, setting your AI teammates to focus on "Heal" or "Chain" will save your life during the mid-game slump. The AI is actually decent if you give it direction, but if you leave them on default, they tend to stand in the fire.
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Second, prioritize your "Weapon Mastery." Each weapon type has its own skill tree. Don't try to be a jack-of-all-trades immediately. Pick one style—Dual Blades are the obvious choice, but the Scythe is incredibly fun—and max it out. The high-tier skills locked at the end of the trees are what you need for the late-game bosses.
Third, explore the side paths. The main story icons are easy to follow, but the best accessories are hidden in chests guarded by "Relic" monsters. These are tough fights, but the loot is essential if you want to survive the final chapters without grinding for ten hours.
Lastly, engage with the "Bond" events. Yes, they are basically dates. Yes, they can be a bit cheesy. But they unlock powerful "Passives" and "Finish Arts" that you literally cannot get anywhere else. Plus, it's the only way to see the unique character interactions that make the Gameverse special.
Sword Art Online Last Recollection is a massive, flawed, ambitious, and ultimately satisfying end to a decade-long story. It requires patience, a tolerance for anime tropes, and a love for high-speed combat. If you can handle the technical rough edges, you'll find a deep RPG that rewards your time.
To get the most out of your experience, focus on clearing the "Customized" difficulty settings once you beat the game. This allows you to fine-tune the challenge to your specific gear level, ensuring the post-game grind remains engaging rather than a chore. Start by focusing on your favorite character's "Hero" quests to unlock their ultimate weapons before diving into the high-level raids.