Bandai Namco have revealed the latest video game in the Sword Art Online series, and it promises to be quite different from what’s come before.

Echoes of Aincrad: Sword Art Online is an action RPG by developer Game Studio, and it’s scheduled to release on July 9 in Japan, and July 10 worldwide for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The game challenges players to embark on a quest inside the ominous floating castle of Aincrad, battling your way to its top with the aid of companions you meet along the way.

One major change from previous games in the series is that for the very first time, players will be able to create their own character rather than playing as a pre-existing character that is part of the broader story. This change, according to series producer Yosuke Futami, was done because Echoes of Aincrad doesn’t take place in the middle of the existing plot, thus players brand new to the franchise can feel comfortable jumping right in.

Sword Art Online began as a Japanese light novel series in 2002, spawning a cluster of media, including manga, novels, anime, a live action series, and of course video games, with the first one being Sword Art online: End World for Japanese phones in 2013.

The series is set in one of several virtual reality worlds, wherein players in the real world go on adventures. However, should a player die in the game, they’ll also lose their life in reality.

The publisher has revealed three specific editions of the game for fans to choose from, the details of which are outlined below:

• Standard Edition ($69.99 USD)
  • Includes a copy of the full game — Step into the floating castle of Aincrad, a world of breathtaking beauty and danger where every battle could be your last. Enter a mysterious, vibrant world and shape your fate. Create your hero, choose your gear, and master combat through your special skills and reflexes. Build synergy with the partner of your choice, level up, and unlock powerful abilities as your horizon expands with every victory. Will you rise and claim your destiny or fall to foes stronger than you imagined?
• Deluxe Edition ($89.99 USD)
  • Includes a copy of the full game.
  • Expansion and downloadable content — Experience a completely new side story in Aincrad that can be enjoyed after clearing the main story, along with newly added companions. Enjoy new encounters, further exploration, and battles against even stronger enemies.
  • Starter Pack — A starter set filled with various items that will be useful in the early stages of your adventure. Get an edge in this deadly game where any moment could be your last!
  • “Death Game Mode” Early Unlock — Once you die, it’s over. You’ll be given access to Death Game Mode where death equals data deletion. Death Game Mode can also be unlocked by clearing the main story.
• Ultimate Edition (109.99 USD)
  • Includes a copy of the full game.
  • Expansion and downloadable content.
  • Starter Pack.
  • “Death Game Mode” Early Unlock.
  • Echoes of Aincrad Unanswered/butterfly bonus contents app — A digital app as a separate application from the main game where you can fully enjoy the world of Echoes of Aincrad, an RPG set in the floating castle of Aincrad. In addition to content not seen in the main game, such as character and enemy concept art and background art, it includes Unanswered//butterfly, a feature-length promotional animation of approximately 120 minutes depicting a separate story from the main game! Furthermore, the digital soundtrack includes various songs from Echoes of Aincrad and Unanswered//butterfly. Immerse yourself in the world of Echoes of Aincrad with this app!
  • Armor Pack — A set of armor for Rex and Emirun, characters appearing in the promotional video Unanswered//butterfly. Includes “Flutter Robes” and “Flutter Boots.” The appearance of the armor will change depending on the avatar’s body type: Rex’s armor for TYPE1 and Emirun’s armor for TYPE2.

Are you a fan of the Sword Art Online series? If not, does this new entry entice you to check it out for the first time? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow us on our social media platforms!

Source: Bandai Namco

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