Review: #614
Title: Sword Art Online: Progressive 2
Series: Sword Art Online: Progressive - 2nd volume
Author: Reki Kawahara
Read Before: no
Comments: Progressive 2 takes on the third floor of Aincrad, unlike the first volume, all the pages are completely dedicated to this third floor. We are introduced to a new character called Kizmel and it explores the mechanics surrounding the quests of Sword Art Online. It ends up being quite interesting and while you need to understand some gaming lingo, the author’s painstaking descriptions of the game mechanics and how it all works keeps your attention. The plot is not too deep and tensions start to flare up between the players, which can feel a bit tedious. Unfortunately, the plot spends so much time on establishing Kizmel and her relationship with Kirito and Asuna, that it literally skips the floor boss battle which is usually the most exciting and epic part. This results in a rushed ending which does not feel satisfying especially after the buildup. There is some cringe-worthy dialogue from Kirito with his selflessness, but it strays more toward cheesiness. Overall, Progressive 2 still manages to tell an engaging story and introduces a lot of new concepts which keeps it fresh.
Rating: 7/10