Bandai Namco Entertainment America has begun streaming a demo trailer for Echoes of Aincrad, the upcoming action RPG based on Reki Kawahara‘s Sword Art Online franchise. The demo is now available and includes five missions alongside a variety of weapon types for players to try out.
Story and Gameplay
The game is set in Aincrad, the iconic floating castle from the original story’s in-universe virtual MMO. Players take on the role of one of the 10,000 players trapped in the MMO-turned-death-game, exploring the world alongside familiar characters including Kirito and Asuna.
Aimer performs the game’s theme song, “Live to Survive.”
Release Dates and Platforms
In Japan, the game launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 9, and on PC via Steam on July 10. Western markets will receive the game on all platforms on July 10.
Editions
The game will be available in four editions:
- Standard Edition — the base game
- Deluxe Edition — includes expansion DLC, a starter item pack, and early access to the “Death Game” mode (a permadeath mode that normally unlocks only after completing the game once)
- Ultimate Edition — includes all Deluxe Edition content, plus the “Unanswered//butterfly” bonus content app/special anime, a digital soundtrack, digital artbook, and an in-game armor pack
- Aincrad Edition — exclusive to the Bandai Namco Store; includes all Deluxe and Ultimate Edition content, and adds physical collectibles: a beanie, wall scroll, patches, and a sticker pack
“Unanswered//butterfly” Special Anime
The “Unanswered//butterfly” bonus special anime, bundled with the Ultimate and Premium Editions, follows other characters during the events of the original Sword Art Online story.
About the Sword Art Online Franchise
Reki Kawahara began the Sword Art Online web novel in 2001, serializing it on his personal website from 2002 to 2008. Kadokawa‘s Dengeki Bunko label launched a revised print edition in 2009, concluding the original story with the “Alicization” arc in the 18th volume in 2016. The series continued with the all-new “Moon Cradle” arc in 2017 and the “Unital Ring” arc in 2018, and has now reached its 29th volume. The franchise has spawned manga and novel spinoffs, a multi-season television anime, an anime film, and a proposed live-action series. Kawahara’s Sword Art Online: Progressive spinoff novels have also inspired two anime films.
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