Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night - A Fresh Perspective
Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night offers a unique retelling of the Sword Art Online saga, focusing on Asuna’s journey in the initial stages of the game. This adaptation provides a refreshing perspective, diving deeper into Asuna’s experiences before the main storyline.
Asuna’s First Steps
The story begins with Asuna, a novice gamer, being introduced to Sword Art Online by her friend, Misumi Tozawa (also known as Mito). Using her brother’s NerveGear, Asuna logs into the game, completely unaware of the deadly adventure that awaits her.
With Mito’s guidance, Asuna quickly learns the basics of the game. However, their initial excitement turns to horror when they discover the logout button is missing. Akihiko Kayaba, the game’s creator, appears to deliver his infamous announcement, trapping the players within Sword Art Online and setting the stage for a life-or-death struggle
Trials and Tribulations
As the players’ avatars transform to reflect their real-world appearances, Asuna begins her journey, guided by the experienced Mito. During a hunting expedition, Mito leaves Asuna to face a group of Man-Eating Plants alone while she attempts to secure a rare item from a Ragout Rabbit. Asuna accidentally provokes the Man-Eating Plants, leading to a desperate situation. Mito, in her attempt to save Asuna, falls off a cliff.
To prevent Asuna from witnessing her demise, Mito severs their party connection and disappears.
Encounters and Departures
Kirito intervenes and saves Asuna from further danger, but Asuna, feeling abandoned, decides to tackle the labyrinth on her own. Kirito finds Asuna unconscious within the labyrinth and brings her to safety.
The First Boss Battle
During a strategy meeting for the first floor boss, Asuna and Kirito team up. In the midst of the battle, Asuna recognizes Mito, who is wearing the Ragout Rabbit’s coat. Overjoyed, Asuna fights alongside Mito and Kirito, and together, they defeat the boss.
Having found her purpose, Asuna bids farewell to Mito and follows Kirito to the second floor.
Final Thoughts
As a long-time fan of Sword Art Online, I found Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night to be a worthwhile addition to the franchise. While the storyline diverges slightly from Kirito’s perspective, the intense boss battles evoked a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of the original Sword Art Online.