Key things
-
Frontiers of Shangri-La
it emphasizes player skill over sheer power, making game mechanics more important. - The main character in
Frontiers of Shangri-La
he plays for passion, not to save the world, he offers a different perspective
Sword Art Online. -
Frontiers of Shangri-La
minimizes fan service and focuses on game experiences and realistic player communities.
The Sword Art Online anime is an iconic series known to many anime fans who love games and isekai. Various new game story anime have been released in recent years, but few can challenge this precedent Sword Art Online has set
Between a few lies Shangri-La Frontier, a series that takes the gaming genre in a new direction with its excellent portrayal of realistic gaming culture and skill-based gameplay. Unlike Sword Art Online, which is heavily influenced by themes of survival and saving the world, Frontiers of Shangri-La portrays a protagonist who simply wants to have fun playing games, making it a strong addition to gaming anime. It even manages to overshadow it Sword Art Online in several key ways.
7 Greater emphasis on mastery of player skills
Knowledge of game mechanics overcomes crudeness in game worlds
Kirito (SAO) is a talented VR swordsman, while Sunraku (Shangri-La Frontier) he is a talented player. This difference between the two individuals speaks to how they and their respective series approach defeating bosses and monsters. In a fictional world with monsters and bosses it is necessary to be strong, but in the game it is much more important to know how the game works and manipulate the game mechanics, and in this way Frontiers of Shangri-La does it better than Sword Art Online.
Instead of focusing on grit, determination, and sheer power unleashed by willpower and legendary gear, there's a greater emphasis on players mastering their skills and building choices. Frontiers of Shangri-La.
6 The main character loves playing, not saving the world
Playing for passion rather than survival
Kirigaya “Kirito” Kazuto and Rakuro “Sunraku” Hizutome are both portrayed as individuals with a love for gaming; however, one seems to focus more on clearing games and discovering more dynamic games, while the other focuses more on saving the world. Aincrad arch inward Sword Art Online was largely based on player survival, and for good reason.
However, they continue to have outside influences and real threats portrayed through the games Sword Art Online more of an isekai in the game world than an actual game anime. When players immerse themselves in gameplay without the fate of the world hanging in the balance, it appeals to gaming anime fans who can connect more deeply with a protagonist who just wants to have fun playing games.
5 Minimal fan service
Shangri-La Frontier stays true to gameplay
Kirito and Asuna's relationship is undoubtedly the hallmark Sword Art Online anime series. However, with the exploration of their relationship came many moments that fans describe as “fan service.” This usually watered down the plot of the series, making it seem more like filler arcs and poorly thought out slice of life arcs that became detached from the central story of gameplay in general.
Yet, Frontiers of Shangri-La has little to no fanservice, instead dynamically focusing on Sunraku and his obsession with gaming. This allows the focus to be on gameplay and the player experience, rather than diluting the plot with distractions.
4 Realistic representation of gaming communities
Sword Art Online misrepresents player communities
When it comes to real-world gaming, casual gamers and hardcore enthusiasts are two different types of individuals. Sword Art Online it shows all players of the game in a similar way, rather than differentiating them based on their goals – spend time, rest, or quit the game. Additionally, when it comes to community engagement outside of the game, Frontiers of Shangri-La has the upper hand.
Sunraku is constantly seen checking the game's forums for how to tackle certain challenges, looking for experience from players who have already done it, while Kirito is often seen overcoming obstacles with sheer force and talent. Communities of players in Sword Art Online they seem more isolated and individualistic than the more social forums that real world games have.
3 Exploring more game genres outside of VRMMORPG
More game variety is shown
The Sword Art Online game in the titular series serves as a cornerstone VRMMORPG in the series. Interestingly, before and after playing Sword Art OnlineKirigaya Kazuto is not shown playing any other type of game besides VRMMORPG, despite being described as a game lover.
Shangri-La Frontier, on the other hand, Sunraku explores different types of games, especially “trash” games with a lot of bugs, because they constantly think of a way to use those bugs to their advantage. Despite the series being based on the game “Shangri-La Frontier”, exploring various other game genres is a refreshing change as Sunraku takes breaks from playing Shangri-La Frontier from time to time.
2 Unique requirements are needed to defeat the bosses
Strength alone isn't enough to wipe out bosses
With enough determination, strength, and equipment, every boss in the game can Sword Art Online the series falls. However, this is not the case when it comes to the matter Frontiers of Shangri-La. Rather than favoring strength of character and ruggedness, Frontiers of Shangri-La displays incredible gameplay mechanics that allow for a variety of methods to clear bosses.
In order to conquer Wethermon of the Seven Colossi, Sunraku and his party did not have to “defeat” the boss, but parry his finishing move, Clear Sky Conquest, Sky Clear, as a single hit would result in death regardless of the player's stats. The unique requirements to overcome certain obstacles fit better into the game's story rather than overpowering bosses over and over again.
1 Presence of Story Mode / World Progress
Sword Art Online shows undefined endpoints
Although it has a central theme as a gaming anime, none of the games are featured in it Sword Art Online they take the form of a story mode, which is very unlikely compared to real world games.
Due to the lack of structure that a story mode would usually bring to any game, end point of games v Sword Art Online is undefinedand the characters seem to be playing only for personal entertainment rather than completing quests or beating the game. Shangri-La Frontier, on the other hand, it beautifully depicts the development of a world in which events are triggered based on the completion of certain events, as seen in the defeat of Wethermon, where the world story is advanced by 20%.
