A new Sword Art Online game is on the horizon, and it’s already setting itself apart from previous entries in the series with it’s new but familiar story and game mechanic. Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad takes the player back to the days of the Floating Castle Aincrad, this time, to fight as themselves during the events that locked over 10,000 players in a life or death struggle in the original Sword Art Online, and is set to release July 10 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Fight as Yourself
Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad will not have you create a custom looking Kirito as per most of the older games, and instead allows you to breathe life into your own custom character that plays through their own story as the original is ongoing. The story will not only revolve around you, but your new AI partners as you all try to survive.
The game is set to allow you to create your own playstyle and methods of surviving, with the website stating that you’ll be able to build synergy with your AI partner as well as adapt their tactics and equipment. The game seems to be designed to look and feel like playing an MMO as an offline experience, so where you choose to go and how you choose to play are guided only by your personal interests.
Put Your Life on the Line
For the first time in the series, Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad will allow you to play utilizing its new Death Game mode. Meaning, while you’re playing, if your character dies, so does your save file, permanently. Don’t worry though! This is a separate game mode that you can choose to play through, so no worries if you’d prefer to play without the added stress.
