Sword Art Online Discussion Thread

[something]

Originally Posted by Draneor

One thing I've been thinking is that I approached SAO as a story about playing MMOs rather than rather than a traditional action adventure which most seem to be approaching it as.

Aren't the two inextricable when the MMO is being used as the setting for a fictional story? Alfheim Online is an interesting world, just as Sword Art Online was. And a lot of the little details are nicely implemented (cooking, user interfaces, durability). That's a large part of the reason why I stuck with it early on. It's just a shame that this world is being used as the framework for what's becoming a rather disappointing story. I still can't figure out how we went so far as to totally change the narrative viewpoint character (which should have been a total slam dunk for me) and somehow Kirito's domination of anything and everything managed to get worse than in Sword Art Online.

(Also where the hell is my MORE DEBAN? Damnit SAO.)

[Fencedude]

FTR, ALfheim Online is ALO, not AFO.

[Draneor]

Originally Posted by Fencedude

FTR, ALfheim Online is ALO, not AFO.

Error noted. I wrote it right before work.

Originally Posted by something

Aren't the two inextricable when the MMO is being used as the setting for a fictional story? Alfheim Online is an interesting world, just as Sword Art Online was. And a lot of the little details are nicely implemented (cooking, user interfaces, durability). That's a large part of the reason why I stuck with it early on. It's just a shame that this world is being used as the framework for what's becoming a rather disappointing story.

I think that's a fair point (although some of the plot points that have been criticized do make sense in the context of the game--like SAO combat being turned based or that certain skills leave you open for attack). On the other hand, the mechanics do seemed to be designed to favor Kirito as "Gary Stu" overpowered badass. I guess the crux of the disagreement is whether the mechanics were designed because of the story or if the plot works within pre-existing mechanics. There's probably some truth on both sides.

I'm not gonna argue the story is good--honestly, it's not an element I liked (although story, in general, is not as high priority as other elements like having unrequited imouto love and a cute, teeny fairy named Yui). Also, while I understand the genre dictated a need to temporarily remove Asuna so another heroine could be introduced, I think the author choose a rather infuriating way to do it. I even interpreted away the ending of SAO as ultimately not having a villain other than how each character interacted with the freedom the world offered (to pvp freely, to merchant, to hide in fear, to fight to clear bosses, to set up a government, etc).

[something]

Originally Posted by Draneor

like SAO combat being turned based

Did not know this - although I wouldn't say that not knowing this changed my interpretation of any scenes thus far.

Certainly the anime has not tried hard to depict it as turn-based, probably because it would ruin the pace of action. I'm trying to think of possible exceptions... that first training fight against the boar, perhaps? Or the durability loss trick? All the rest have been played off as happening in real time, especially the PvP, which has gotten the most detailed combat depictions.

I guess if anything, a lot of the fights as depicted in the show would make less sense to me if they were supposed to be turn-based, so it's probably better I wasn't expecting turn-based. I'd call dropping any (obvious, at least) turn-based mechanics an improvement, at least for the conversion to anime.

[Draneor]

Originally Posted by something

I'm trying to think of possible exceptions... that first training fight against the boar, perhaps? Or the durability loss trick?

The boar is a good example of how the pve combat worked. But you raise a good point about the depiction of PVP not following that model (SAO being inconsistent is dai-shock, of course). To clarify what I mean by"turn-based," here's part of the explanation from the first novel

Even if it was a 2-on-1 situation, we couldn't both fight at once when confronted by a fully armed enemy. It wasn't forbidden by the system, but when two people were too close together in a fight where swords swung to and fro at speeds faster than the eye could follow, it became more of a hindrance than a help. So when partying, a skill that required high levels of teamwork called «switching» was used. [...]. Making a break point on purpose in the middle of a fight and trading places with a teammate was what was called «switching».

The idea was you switch out to recover HP (given lack of magic). It's kind of a real time turn based hybrid, I guess? With a skill timer for monsters attacks? Only one member can attack at a time but you don't have infinite time to select skills like an old school turn based RPG... I don't know how you could depict this in an anime (although it was the in-game reason for why Kirito had to switch out with Asuna before launching suicidal god-mode). Which goes back to whether the plot determined the mechanics?

[FUNiOP]

Epic fight time! It doesn't look like Kirito's plans for reaching Asuna in time are going to work out quite like he wanted, but no matter, Asuna is on her way to him as well! That really is the stupidest security system ever thought of. Or maybe this is all part of some plan as well. Remove Kirito from the game as well? At any rate, things are going to have to work out one way or another. Just not as quickly as they'd like.

[Buckeye]

Time to crash the Salamanders plan to stop the peace treaty. It's Kirito going up against Eugene and while Eugene is tough with his sword that can disappear when it is being blocked, he is no match for Kirito's dual blade skill that carried over from SAO. And then there are two more girls who want to flirt with Kirito, but he has an important mission. So while Sakuya and Alicia go off to carry on their mission, Kirito and Leefa head to the World Tree. In the meantime, Asuna is making her move.

While going off the beaten track here, it turns out to be a nice episode, and certainly one that will help Kirito out in the long run when he gets to the World Tree to take on Oberon. Sakuya and Alicia are interesting characters with Sakuya being the type of person who could be a seducer if she wanted to, and Alicia being the energetic type. Then there is Eugene who looks like he could be a good rival for Kirito. Now that the meetings have concluded, it's onto the World Tree to begin the real quest.

[ookamigirl]

Nice save Kirito! ^^
Kirito vs General Eugene!
That was a really really nice fight. Impressive!
He sure made an impression on the Salamanders.
Him and Leafa have become pretty inseparable.
Looks like Asuna will save herself before he gets to her LOL

[something]

Episode 20:

"I didn't do anything."

Oh now there's a stunning turn of events!

Not even a Saitou Chiwa catgirl can save this show. Officially dropped.

[MelancholicMariya]

Originally Posted by something

Episode 20:

"I didn't do anything."

Oh now there's a stunning turn of events!

Not even a Saitou Chiwa catgirl can save this show. Officially dropped.

You gave it (iirc) two more episodes than Accel World! Looks like they aren't so different after all!

I assume anything written or touched by Kawahara Reki in the future has no chance with you at this rate? Not that your reasons for dropping both Accel World or Sword Art Online are unfounded, I totally understand your reasons. I enjoy SAO yet have tons of issues with it.