Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag is a free-to-play side-scrolling RPG with a character collection element, often referred to as a Gacha game. It was released on August 28, 2016, for Apple iOS and Android devices by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

PLOT

Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag is a reimagining of the Sword Art Online anime's story arcs from the perspective of Kirito X , as he recalls incidents that occurred over the years. It explores the events of Sword Art Online None, ALfheim Online , and Gun Gale Online as players level up and collect their favorite characters from the anime to form a strong party.

GAMEPLAY

Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag features a three-character party system, where players must choose the best characters to achieve their current objective. As the player progresses through the story, they collect more heroes to create powerful combinations.

Each character has a favorite weapon, sometimes different from the one they are known for in the anime. The player can improve their character's stats by upgrading their gear or equipping new weapons and equipment. To unlock new abilities or increase their stats, players must spend crystals to progress along a skill grid. These crystals can only be earned by completing in-game quests.

The levels unfold as a combination of flashback scenes from the anime and instanced encounters. The flashback sequences are faithful to the source material, but the instanced encounters introduce combinations that do not appear in the anime. In most cases, players can select three characters to complete quests, but there are key moments in the plot where specific characters must be used.

Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag features a cooperative multiplayer mode where three players can team up to complete quests that are too difficult to complete alone.

Players can purchase diamonds to acquire random characters from the store. While characters can be purchased through microtransactions, players will need to use these characters in-game to level them up by using them in battle and upgrading their skills and equipment.

There are six character levels, ranging from 1 to 6. Characters at levels 3 and above have sword skills that make them valuable for high-impact battles. Level 5 characters were introduced in 2017 to celebrate the first anniversary, and level 6 was introduced a year later as another celebratory event.

RECEPTION

Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag received favorable reviews from media and fans. MMO Huts praised the game for its faithfulness to the source material. "One thing Memory Defrag doesn't disappoint is that the game is faithful to many elements found in SAO. The interface, the fonts used, and even the connection to Memory Defrag make you feel like you're in SAO. Furthermore, Memory Defrag also uses the switching system from SAO in Memory Defrag. In fact, it's faithful enough that you have to stagger your opponent before you can switch party members, just like in the anime."

LIST OF CHARACTERS

| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
None
| Kirito | [Former Beta Tester] | [Solo] Kirito | [Progressive Gunner] Sinon|[The Will - Transcending the System] Kirito|[Ultrafast Dualblades] Kirito
| Euego | Klein | [Spriggan] Kirito | [Efficient Smith] Lisbeth | [The Will - Changing Fate] Asuna | [Unbridled Emotion] Asuna
| | Diavel | [Agile Kitty] Silica | [Heart of Confront] Asuna|[The Blade - Face to feelings] Leafa|[Promise at that Time] Kirito
| | Corvatz | [Party Mascot] Silica | [Hero's Return] Kirito | [The Archer - Overcoming the Past] Sinon | [Happy Wedding] Asuna
| | Thinker | [Katana Master] Klein | [Augmented Tamer] Silica | [Blue Rose Integrity Knight] Eugeo | [The Will - Transcending the System] Kirito
| | Sigurd | [Samurai Salamander] Klein | [Augmented Tamer] Silica|[Integrity Knight Fragrant Olive] Alice|[Naive Guardian] Silica
| | Sinon | [Information Broker] Argo | [Sparkling Youth] Strea | [Wish Granter] Yuuki | [Magnificent Monster] Alice
| | Strea | [Caith Sith Information Broker] Argo | [Glittering Youth] Strea|[Warm Water Fairy] Asuna|[Moonlight Lark] Asuna
| | Sachi | [Floor-Cleaning Demon] Asuna | [Sparkling Youth] Strea|[Naive Guardian] Silica|[The Will - Changing Fate] Asuna
| | Asuna | [Unwavering Char] Agil | [Sparkling Youth] Strea | [Guardian of Harmony] Lisbeth | [Zekken with Feelings] Yuuki
| | Yolko | [Young Pooka] Seven | [Early Spring Dance] Argo | [Strong Spirit] Klein | [Water Swordsman] Asuna
| | Yulier | [Wind Mage] Leafa | [Pudding Rather Than Praise] First | [Band Together] Agil | [A Storm Blows Through Time and Space] Leafa
| | Rosalia | [Sword and Shield] Sachi | [Peach Blossom] Silica | [Offering Lifeblood] Kirito | [The Arrow Connecting the World] Sinon
| | Lisbeth | [Mysterious Warrior] Yuuki | [Born Genius] Eugeo|[Howl at the Moon] Eugeo|[Blue Rose in All Her Glory] Eugeo
| | Silica | [Cat-Eared Archer] Sinon | [Integrity Knight] Alice | [Midnight Temptation] Asuna | [Great Fragrant Olive Tree] Alice
| | Kibaou | [World of Weapons] Sinon | [Shinobi Slash] Asuna|[Pumpin Knight] Alice|[Bound to the Future] Asuna
| | Agil | [Apprentice Blacksmith] Lisbeth | [Void Runner] Leafa | [Vampire in Love] Yuuki | [Ultra-Fast Dual Blades] Kirito
| | Philia | [Battle Smith] Lisbeth | [Umbral Flight] Yuuki | [Gentle Monster] Leafa | [Young Whirling Warrior] Eugeo
| | Argo | [Uninhibited Fairy] Strea | [Dragon Thrower] Silica | [Spider Witch] Sinon | [Autumn Slasher] Alice
| | Sasha | [Spriggan Seeker] Philia | [Dancer of Darkness] Lisbeth | [Sorcerer Cat] Silica | [Snow Blessings] Sachi
| | Kagemune | [Item Master] Rain | [Sparkling Teen Idol] Leafa | [Reach the Finish Line] Asuna | [Guide in the Snow] Kirito
| | | [Guild Commander] Heathcliff | [Natural Pop Star] Yuuki|[Go for the Top] Yui|[Hot Spring Angel] Asuna
| | | Siune | [Young Idol] Silica | [Flush of Youth] Leafa | [Christmas Shooting Star] Leafa
| | | Alicia Rue | [Fascinating MC Performer] Lisbeth|[Never Give Up] Lisbeth|[Aincrad Style] Kirito
| | | Eugene | [Free Style Artist] Sinon | [The Shining Goddess] Asuna | [Serlut Style Heir] Sortiliena
| | | Lux | [Successful Idol of Love and Effort] Asuna|[Looking Back, Beauty] Sinon|[Shining Gift] Yuuki
| | | Sakuya | [Sakura Romance] Strea|[Beauty in Secluded Hot Springs] Leafa|[Devoted Apprentice Swordsman] Tiese
| | | Kuradeel | Born during the Sakura Season] Yui|[Autumn Leaf Bath Beauty] Silica|[Glowing Ornaments] Asuna
| | | Red-Eyed XaXa | [Flower of Youth] Philia | [The Poker King] Kirito | [Kind Apprentice Swordsman] Ronie
| | | Sumeragi | [Lightning Dance] Asuna|[Queen of Hearts] Asuna|[Sparkling Hearts] Silica
| | | | [Fleeting Feelings] Leafa|[Rabbit Ace] Yuuki|[Fiery Ogre Girl] Lisbeth
| | | | [The Eccentric Little Riding Hood] Yuuki|[The Wild Joker] Sinon|[Red Flash Divine Archer] Sinon
| | | | [Dangerous Kiss] Sinon|[Swordsman in the Desert] Kirito|[Deadly Karasu Tengu] Yuuki
| | | | [My Little Lover] Silica|[Sniper in Love] Sinon|[The Knights of the Blood] Kirito
| | | | [Pearl Tears] Yui|[Santa's Gift] Asuna|[Marching Tactics Manual] Sortiliena
| | | | [Maid] Asuna|[Visitor in the Snow] Leafa|[Halloween Magic] Silica
| | | | [Stillroom Maid] Sinon|[Christmas Eve Excitement] Alice|[Pixie Navigation] Thokk
| | | | [Fledgling Tweeny] Yuuki|[Hasty Reindeer] Eugeo|[Santa Surprise] LLENN
| | | | [Mellow Maid] Leafa|[Snow Sniper] Sinon|[Shokan Ninjutsu] Argo
| | | | [Maid] Rain|[Reflections on Snowfall] Lisbeth|[Another Judge] Makoto
| | | | [Omniscient Servant] Seven|[Sacred Tamer] Silica|[Noble and Upright Knight] Alice
| | | | [Blue and Silver Knight] Eugeo|[Christmas Miracle] Yuuki|[Happy 2nd Birthday] Kirito
| | | | [Golden Knight] Alice|[Blood Knights] Kirito|[Parachute Reindeer] Fukaziroh
| | | | [Summer Girl] Suguha | [Ultimate Defense] Heathcliff | [Susanoo] Yuuki
| | | | [Smile on the waterfront] Lisbeth|First play in the New Year's breeze|[Let's play Memory Defrag] Eugeo
| | | | [Pure Hunter's Soul] Philia|[Great Wish Fulfillment] Leafa|[Amaterasu the Sun Goddess] Suguha
| | | | [Libra] Asuna|[Fortune Enters Through the Joyful Gate] Kirito|[Tsukuyomi] Sinon
| | | | [Lion] Sinon|[Auspicious Blue Sky] Silica|[Sword of Hope] Asuna
| | | | [Gemini] Yuuki|[New Year's Breeze] Yuuki|[The Strength of Friendship] Lizbeth
| | | | [Aries] Leafa|[Foxy Shrine Maiden] Asuna|[The Courage to Overcome] Silica
| | | | [Promise at that time] Asuna|[Sacred Dance] Yui|[Ordained Knight] Alice
| | | | [Fragrant Olive in June] Alice]|[The Unexpected] Sinon|[Mutual Trust] Kirito
| | | | [The Kiss] Leafa|[Superb Priestess Costume] Suguha|[Moonlight Madien] Suguha
| | | | [The Bride in Stiletto Heels] Sinon|[Stick to Your Convictions] Kirito|[Unwavering Commitment] Eugeo
| | | | [Throw a bouquet] Yuuki|[Make a path for your future] Otherwise
| | | | [Blessed Breath] Silica|[Flash Shooter] Asuna
| | | | [Faroff Fencer] Suguha|[Gale Gunner] Leafa
| | | | [Resurrected Sword] Kirito|[Sturdy Heart in the World of Steel] Lisbeth
| | | | [Heart Flash] Asuna|[Dragon Tamer in the Wild] Silica
| | | | [Injection Time] Asuna|[Affectionate Chocolatier] Asuna
| | | | [Novice Police] Otherwise|[Innocent Chocolatier] Yuuki
| | | | [Attention please] Silica|[Pure Hearted Chocolatier] Lisbeth
| | | | [Spartan Professor] Strea|[Lovley Chocolatier] Silica
| | | | [All Aboard] Yui|[Enchanting Love] Asuna
| | | | [Waitress on wheels] Yuna|[Unfulfilled wish] Leafa
| | | | [Raindrop Girl] Rain|[Angry Cupid] Otherwise
| | | | [Rainy Season Pleasure] Leafa|[Platonic Love] Silica
| | | | [Indoor Player] Sakuya | [Fly Without Wings] Leafa
| | | | [Tropical Beach Boy] Kirito|[Keep Trying] Yui
| | | | [Tropical Lover] Asuna|[Accompanied by Animals] Sinon
| | | | [Sunny Summer Girl] Yuuki | [Strong Faith] Kirito
| | | | [Surf] Eugeo|[Robust Faith] Asuna
| | | | [Summer Princess] Alice | [Future Idol Singer] Yuna
| | | | [Summer Princess] Alice | [Early Spring Dance] Argo
| | | |[Heavenly Dancer] Yuuki|[Pudding Rather Than Praise] First
| | | |[Promise of Reunion] Philia|[Ordinal Number 2] Eiji
| | | |[Starlight Prayer] Silica|[Flower Peach Baby] Silica
| | | |[Illuminated Weeping Willow] Asuna|[Foxy Beauty] Asuna
| | | |[Firey Morning Glory] Otherwise|[Shy Tanuki Girl] Alice
| | | |[Twilight Lespedeza] Suguha|[Innocent Puppy] Leafa
| | | |[Zinnia Melody] Seven|[Cute Bunny] Sinon
| | | |[Rain of Flowers] Rain|[Days of Youth] Asuna
| | | |[The Healing Beauty] Asuna|[The Coveted Life] Yuuki
| | | |[Midsummer Babe] Suguha|[Hero's Blessing] Kirito
| | | |[Playful Summer Chick] Sinon|[Blessing of Light] Asuna
| | | |[Summer Sun] Lizbeth|[Sweet Voice] Asuna
| | | |[Sunflower Girl] Silica|[Funky Play] Yuuki
| | | |[Good Street Saleswoman] Lisbeth|[Groovy Sound] Lisbeth
| | | |[A Midsummer Night's Cry] Leafa|[Angel Tone] Silica
| | | |[Kagura Dance] Premiere |[Cool Drum Beats] Rain
| | | |[Noble Captain] Kirito|[Passionate Scratching] Leafa
| | | |[Magnificent Quartermaster] Asuna|[Perfect Game] Sinon
| | | |[The Great Sniper on the Lookout] Otherwise|[The Goddess's Blessing] First
| | | |[Radiant First Lieutenant] Leafa|[Blessing of Countless Swords] Rain
| | | |[Intuitive Browser] Yuuki|[Blessing of the Talented Woman] Seven
| | | |[Little Rising Idol] Yui|[Sweet Vocals] Seven
| | | |[Fast and Swift Heroine] Leafa|[Ingenious Blessing] Strea
| | | |[Faithful Swordsman] Klein|[Treasure Hunter's Blessing] Philia
| | | |[Explosive Axe] Agil|[Black Swordsman] Kirito
| | | |[Concealed Dual Blades] Kirito|[Nimble Slash] Asuna
| | | |[Prestige Vice Commander] Asuna|[Sky Bow] Sinon
| | | |[Furinkazan] Klein|[Quick slash] Leafa
| | | |[Storm Mage] Leafa|[I feel like a big sister] Yuuki
| | | |[Zekken] Yuuki|[Little Beauty] LLENN
| | | |[MHCP-002] Strea|[Charming look] Pitohui
| | | |[Multi-Wielder] Rain|[Storm Baby] Fukaziroh
| | | |[Black Swordsman] Kirito|[Unbridled Emotion] Asuna
| | | |[Lightning] Asuna|[Unrequited Love] Suguha
| | | |[Dragon Tamer] Silica|[Floating Petals] Rain
| | | |[Treasure Hunter] Philia|[Hopeful Smile] Lisbeth
| | | |[Brave Lance] Sachi|[Flash with the Wind] Asuna
| | | |[Muscular Axeman] Agil|[Magic Bullet] Leafa
| | | |[Mace Master] Lisbeth|[Illusion Killer] Sinon
| | | |[Goddess of Death] Sinon|[Sparkling Zekken] Yuuki
| | | |[Star Scientist] Seven|[Ocean Resort] Asuna
| | | |[Skill Connect] Kirito|[I'm not a child] Asuna
| | | |[Fairy Dragon Tamer] Silica|[Summer Splash] Yuuki
| | | |[Blacksmith Fairy] Lisbeth|[Tropical Fruit] Silica
| | | |[Cool-Headed Sniper] Sinon|[Shining Parasol] Lisbeth
| | | |[Healing Undine] Asuna|[Field Community] Kirito
| | | |[Tropical dB] Yuna|[Leaning on my fellow soldier] Sinon
| | | |[True Heart] Yui|[Zekken in the Desert] Yuuki
|||||[MHCP on the front line] Strea
||||[Datamine] Wedding Anniversary Banner
|||||[Promise at that time] Kirito
|||||[Promise at that time] Asuna
||||[The Brave God of War] Leafa
|||||[The Queen of Death] Otherwise
||||[The Deceiver of the Gods] Yuuki
||||[Intrepid Detective] Eugeo
||||[365 days] Kirito
|||||[Cheerful Witch] Leafa
|||||[Lone Wolf in the Wild] Kirito
||||[Dancing Red Rose] Asuna
|||||[Constant Love] Asuna
|||||[Happy Memories] Sachi
||||[The Bringer of Spring] Lisbeth
||||[In Search of Strength] Kureha
|||||[Sweet Idol Singer] Yuna
|||||[Cool Screw] Waals
|||||[Charming Rider] Otherwise
|||||[Line and rod fishing] Sima
||||[Foxy Priestess] Silica
||||[Holy Sword] Heathcliff
|||||[Happy Wacky Halloween] Lisbeth
||||[Abundant spring water] Strea
||||[Santa Claus is coming] Seven
||||[Personal Santa] Rain
||||[Linked together] Yuuki
||||[Shamisen Rock] Premiere
|||||[Little Gunner] Fukaziroh
||||[A lonely flower] Alice
|||||[Caught my attention] Suguha

References

MMO Hunts Review