Sword Art Online: Lost Song Thumbnail

Sword Art Online: Lost Song similar games & best alternatives

Sword Art Online: Lost Song

PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3 • 2018

Related articles

Quick resume

Enter the VRMMO world of the much-loved anime SWORD ART ONLINE! In Alfheim Online, a world of fairies and magic, you become the hero of the series, Kirito, and together with your wondrous friends try to conquer the floating land of Svart Alfheim.

Global score

80/100

Genres

Role-playing (RPG)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Enjoyable flying and combat mechanics
    • Strong appeal for sao fans with familiar characters and story
    • Good value for money especially on sale
    • Co-op multiplayer with friends
    • Narrative immersion through visual novel style dialogues

    Cons

    • Limited character customization options
    • Repetitive enemies and missions
    • Multiplayer player base is small or inactive
    • Some clunky controls and camera issues
    • Story considered mediocre or confusing for non-fans

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Creativity.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players can choose different characters and customize a limited custom character, and select skills and weapons, but main story progression requires playing as Kirito and following set missions."

    • Competence
      3

      "Combat involves skillful hack-and-slash and flying mechanics with some strategic elements, but some repetitive grinding and predictable boss fights reduce challenge."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Multiplayer exists but is limited and mostly dead; gameplay focuses on single-player progression and personal skill without strong competitive elements."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report long playtimes, grinding, and habitual play with many hours invested, indicating desire to keep playing."

    • Cooperation
      2

      "Co-op multiplayer is available for dungeons and bosses with friends, but limited player base and no story co-op; AI companions assist in single-player."

    • Creativity
      -2

      "Customization options for custom characters are very limited; gameplay mostly follows predefined structures and missions."

    • Domination
      -4

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; multiplayer is cooperative or absent."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a relaxing and immersive experience, escaping into the SAO universe and flying mechanics."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and fandom, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Some experimentation with different characters, skills, and flying mechanics, but overall gameplay follows established routines."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Game features open areas and flying exploration, though maps are limited in size and dungeons are somewhat repetitive."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Character customization is minimal with few options; most players use preset characters with standard appearances."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strong fantasy theme with VRMMO setting, flying, magic, and anime-style characters and story."

    • Fellowship
      1

      "Some social interaction through multiplayer co-op with friends, but limited community and mostly solo play."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players level up characters, learn new skills, and improve equipment, indicating learning and personal development."

    • Health
      -5

      "No physical activity involved; typical sedentary gaming experience."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires continuous attention during combat and exploration; not designed for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -3

      "Social interactions are limited to surface-level multiplayer and character dialogues; no evidence of close relationships."

    • Leadership
      -2

      "Players control their own party but no evidence of leading others in multiplayer or managing groups."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong emphasis on leveling up characters, acquiring weapons, skills, and completing quests."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "Players find the game relaxing and enjoyable, with flow in flying and combat mechanics."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Visual and auditory elements are enjoyable but not highly stimulating; some players mention good music and graphics."

    • Status
      -3

      "No strong social recognition or leaderboards; achievements exist but not emphasized socially."

    • Story
      3

      "Narrative immersion through visual novel style dialogue and character interactions, though story is considered mediocre by some."

    • Strategy
      2

      "Combat involves some tactical choices of skills and party members, but overall straightforward hack-and-slash gameplay."

    • Thrill
      1

      "Some boss fights provide challenge and excitement, but many fights are repetitive and predictable."

    • Value
      3

      "Players report good value for money especially on sale, with many hours of gameplay and content."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat involves hack-and-slash fighting, magic attacks, and boss battles with enemies."

    • Survival
      1

      "Some survival elements in combat requiring dodging and managing resources, but overall low risk compared to hardcore survival games."

    Last update: 29/04/2026