Story & Character: I really enjoyed the first arc; it had a lot of build-up and tension, tragedy, and all the things that make an anime worth watching. None of the characters seemed pushed or unnecessary and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I didn't much care for the second arc, but the characters continued to develop so it's OK. I haven't watched SAO 2 yet (I like to wait until they're finished so I can binge watch), but I hope it stays consistent.
Art & Sound: I enjoyed the OST, I have a few of the songs in my library; the animation is fluid and nice-looking but not groundbreaking by any means.
Enjoyment: Had the second arc been better I would probably have enjoyed it a lot more; but it's definitely a solid anime that I do not regret watching.
