Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale (“Ordinal Scale”), the first film adaptation of the popular anime and light novel series, Sword Art Online, is a highly anticipated film surrounding the topic of augmented reality. Directed by Tomohiko Itō and produced by A-1 Pictures, Ordinal Scale sees the return of Sword Art Online main characters, Kirito and Asuna, along with their group of friends.

Ordinal Scale takes place after the Mother’s Rosario arc in Sword Art Online II Volume 4. The year is 2026, four years after the invention and popularisation of the NerveGear, the first full-dive system, which allowed for endless possibilities when it came to Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (“VRMMORPG”). Now, a new machine, the Augma, has been created to compete with the NerveGear. Unlike its predecessors, the Augma does not utilise the full-dive function and instead uses Augmented Reality (AR) for its games, providing a safe, user-friendly experience that allows users to play AR games while conscious. An instant hit within its local market, the Augma is used primarily to play the Augmented Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (“ARMMORPG”), Ordinal Scale.

Like the anime series, Ordinal Scale includes a mysterious villain, taking advantage of players and using them for their own personal gain. Like Sword Art Online II, there appears to be a more sinister reason behind the mysterious injuries plaguing Ordinal Scale players, which makes for an intriguing storyline. Ordinal Scale certainly did a brilliant job of not revealing too much until the very end, which kept me in suspense and at the edge of my seat.

In this iteration of Sword Art Online, it’s refreshing to see Kirito as a late adopter of the Augma. Compared to the anime series, in which he is an advanced level user of the NerveGear and is incredibly powerful in each of the virtual reality games, Kirito is an Ordinal Scale beginner and struggles to become accustomed to the Augma. Where his friends previously weren’t as experienced as him in the earlier games, Asuna and gang are far more skilled in Ordinal Scale compared to Kirito. This was a nice change, as it showed Kirito in a different light. As a character, he is more relatable as a young, unfit man who has to train to advance his skills.

Many of the characters are largely as we remember them from the anime series, with Asuna returning to her ‘badass’ self with her sword fighting skills and quick movements, and Yui playing much more of a role. Throughout the entire film, it is Asuna that we feel more of a kinship towards and we cheer her on. This could be partially due to the change in dynamic, wherein Asuna is the skilled warrior and Kirito is the secondary warrior. However, by the end of the film, both Asuna and Kirito work together to once more be the incredible team that they were in the original Sword Art Online game.

One of my favourite aspects of Ordinal Scale is the many throwbacks made to the original series with several instances of the Ordinal Scale game including monsters from the world of Aincrad, the central location in the first game, Sword Art Online. Not to mention other notable inclusions from games such as Alfheim Online and Gun Gale Online. Of course, I couldn’t help but cheer at some of the special cameos, which I won’t spoil for you all.

Visually, Ordinal Scale is fantastic! With striking colours, a stunning art style and epic battle scenes worthy of adopting into a video game, Ordinal Scale was an eye-catching and appealing watch. The soundtrack used in the film was also equally brilliant and allowed me to truly experience being immersed in the world of Sword Art Online once more.

What makes Ordinal Scale so good in my book is that it brings back the core ingredients of the original series, the very essence of the anime which made the series so great. Instead of an over-exaggeration, Ordinal Scale remains true to the concepts and characters of Sword Art Online, something that many big screen adaptations of popular anime series and manga have failed to do.

If you haven’t already seen Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale, you should, most definitely do so.

The post Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale (Madman Entertainment – 2017) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NOW CLOSED – Isn’t it just a game? Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale is comingg to cinema in New Zealand and thanks to our mates at Madman Entertainment NZ StG has FIVE Double Pass tickets to Giveaway to anime fans!

In 2026, a new machine called the Augma is developed to compete against the NerveGear and its successor, the Amusphere. A next-gen wearable device, the Augma doesn’t have a full-dive function like its predecessors. Instead, it uses Augmented Reality (AR) to get players into the game. It is safe, user-friendly and lets users play while they are conscious, making it an instant hit on the market. The most popular game on the system is “Ordinal Scale” (aka: OS), an ARMMORPG developed exclusively for the Augma.

Asuna and the gang have already been playing OS for a while, and soon Kirito decides to join them. However, they’re about to find out that Ordinal Scale isn’t all fun and games…

To Enter our Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Double Pass Giveaway, you will need to answer this Question correctly:

The anime of Sword Art Online was announced at Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival 2011. When did it first air?

A: Augsut 2014

B: July 7 2012

C: February 2013

You can give us your Answer by placing a Comment below, hitting us up on Facebook, Tweet to us, or Email Us

* Winner(s) will be randomly selected from those that Comment below / Facebook Comment / Email in accordance to the above Question. Winner(s) will receive a Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Double Pass ticket to be redeemed at participating Cinemas. Competition is only valid for New Zealand entries and ends on the March 9th, 2017 . Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale is Rated PG in New Zealand. Tickets are not transferable and holders of the Double Passes must adhere to the Terms and Conditions on the tickets.

The post Enter to Win a Double Pass to Sword Art Online – Ordinal Scale appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Madman Entertainment have confirmed to us at StG that there will be a New Zealand release of the highly anticipated, first ever SWORD ART ONLINE movie: SWORD ART ONLINE: ORDINAL SCALE.

The film will follow Kirito and Asuna in an all-new story that takes place after the Mother’s Rosario arc.

In 2022, the world of virtual reality was upended by the arrival of a new invention from a genius programmer, Akihiko Kayaba. Called NerveGear, it was the first full-dive system and with it, came endless possibilities to VRMMORPGs.

In 2026, a new machine called the Augma is developed to compete against the NerveGear and its successor, the Amusphere. A next-gen wearable device, the Augma doesn’t have a full-dive function like its predecessors.

Instead, it uses Augmented Reality (AR) to get players into the game. It is safe, user-friendly and lets users play while they are conscious, making it an instant hit on the market. The most popular game on the system is “Ordinal Scale” (aka: OS), an ARMMORPG developed exclusively for the Augma.

Asuna and the gang have already been playing OS for a while, and soon Kirito decides to join them. However, they’re about to find out that Ordinal Scale isn’t all fun and games…

SWORD ART ONLINE: ORDINAL SCALE will be releasing to New Zealand cinemas on the 9th of March, 2017.

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The post Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Coming to Cinema appeared first on Shane the Gamer.