This is by far, the best SAO fanfic I’ve read. (And probably the only one I’ll read)
Didn’t even finish chapter 1 and I got hooked. I’m already waiting for chapter 5

You can't imagine how loudly I internally screamed "Yay!" when the description said "without any of the original SAO cast". But I'll be looking forwards to the cameos and brief mentions of Strea and the rest.

Also, I think if they did the game as they did SAO Alternative, polished the gameplay, polished the setting a bit, improved the story and not use pre recorded movements for conversation cutscenes, then MAYBE it'd be a more fun game...

Yay, sensei is back! Well, it's only 3 chapters and I already like Nanashi as the main character a lot more than Kirito. However, I hope you still add the Original SAO Characters, maybe as supporting characters or something. I don't think the info dumb and exposition here are bad, they are so well-placed, especially on how Nanashi getting to know more about the game. Also, did you intend on adding the characters from SAO Alternative like LLENN & M?

Pretty solid start, I was actually thinking of writing a story based on my own play through. Of course I wasn't gonna make Kirito and the others prevalent in my story, just the casual conversation, though I am keeping all the interactions with Rain and Yuuki who are two of my favorite characters.

I like how you made the player a cynical asshole, since half of my own thoughts playing this game was me questioning a lot of what I was doing along with the poor rendering of some places. Can't tell you how many times I got sniped in the back of the head while out for a stroll searching for Players to kill for exp. Too bad the game was patched and I can't abuse that to level up.

Really liking Nanashi and Kureha's interactions, looking forward to seeing him meet Zeliska and Daisy. I can already imagine what he's gonna say when he sees her...assets.

I also agree, your crappy weapon selection is way better than the game equivalent, I can't tell you how much I loathe optic weapons. Some like the Deneb Kaitos are cool, then you get the Rafaga shotgun and feel so empty, since it doesn't feel real to me. I never bothered with them. The M1911 is a good gun though, maybe a more upgraded or Legendary version exists in the futue of your story? Would love to see that.

I also like how you portray the ammunition counts in the story. I just started my NG on Extreme and let me tell you, I went up against the first area boss and ate so much ammo that I was forced to spend 40,000 credits on assult rifle bullets alone. The game is kicking my ass, I can only imagine how harder it will get later on for me, especially in the Flugel, ugh...

I must say, I am liking this story a lot. I am definitely gonna keep up to date so I can see Nanashi's (Mis)adventures in GGO. I'm sure his views will start changing during the later parts which makes me quite happy. So I thank you for writing this there need to be more GGO centered stories out there and this looks like a good one. I wish you luck good sir!

Yeah, there is a lot of explanation on the beginning, but it makes sense for Nanashi to have it right away as he's asking for the basics. While he could learn by doing it during the action, but that'll end up slowing things down in the long run, so I'm glad you got this info dumb out first! Though that AFK mention does make me wonder if one can even do that in these type of games.

Having a crappier gun as a starting weapon further states that, while you should have something to start with, it wouldn't be something that useful. I do like Kureha going about how useful it can still be given its ammo type. And the interaction with Itsuki was a good one too. Nanashi

The killstealing play style they'll go for will be interesting to see come to fruition if they do run into things. I'm excited to see how the rest of it goes! Looking forward to the next chapter!

This is good, I'm really curious of what ending will you choose, since there is no Kirito to save the day and i feel that the one of the normal ending is the best wake up call for the plot lucky protagonist, since he (in this case) learn the most from that than the happy ending.

I also think you shouldn't cut off Kirito and the gang completely from the story, or just Kirito and Sinon; You should leave them as background characters, after all this isn't their story. But the phantom bullet and Death Gun accident must be solved somehow by them since that isn't the protagonist role, unless you already have a plan for that.

Anyhow, independent of what you choose to do, I can see this will be a great story; Good luck.

You had my interest with the first chapter, the interaction between the MC and Akane/Kureha that felt very much real with a friend trying to get the other more reluctant friend to join them in this game despite his lack of interest in FDVR. The whole part of him getting the game from her was enjoyable to read it play out.

Then you had my full attention with the second chapter. Spending an hour on character customization alone just to end up looking like himself and naming himself Nanashi to not draw attention to himself. Heck, the whole section of him trying to figure out how to start the amusphere to then look up the activation sequence online had me chuckling because of how real and accurate that would be for something with no knowledge of the hardware.

I'm already loving the interactions between Nanashi and Kureha more than in the actual game at the beginning, mainly because Nanashi is an actual character with opinions and would have more interesting dialogue than the voice-less protagonist.

Also helps that I enjoy how well written these chapters have been. So overall, you've earned yourself a fan. Looking forward to review the next chapter, hopefully soon.

I'm really starting to like this! Giving this guy his own personality, that's what I like to see. Looking forward to more of this!