I'd honestly rate this at 8.5, IDK why everyone gives this anime such bad ratings. To me this is the best anime I've watched for a while now...since clannad. SAO was funny, not thrilling but somewhat action-y? Plus it was a little romantic, and sad, too bad I cant tell you why. ^-^
The minute I started watching SAO I liked it, then after like the 9th episode I became obsessed. Maybe people don't like it because the synopsis doesn't really explain it well and neither does the trailer!, so they think the anime is about somthing different, I just don't know! but for those of you who've read reviews that talk shit about SAO and suddenly read mine, just watch the it, I wholeheartedly think this is a good anime.