Echoes of Aincrad, the latest game in the Sword Art Online universe, is out now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Unlike most of the previous SAO games, your created character takes the lead role instead of series protagonist, Kirito.
You can check out the game’s launch trailer below.
To celebrate the game’s launch, the Japanese and English SAO video game X (formerly Twitter) accounts shared two illustrations of one of the new original characters, Iori. The first illustration is drawn by Yuichi Koara (@yuitility), the illustrator of the Unanswered//butterfly manga. The second illustration is by yue (@deariyue).
You can can check out both illustrations below.
Illustration by Yuichi Koara
Illustration by yue
Bandai Namco describes the game as follows:
Echoes of Aincrad invites adventurers into the dynamic and vibrant world of SWORD ART ONLINE and embraces the meta behind its setting, where the protagonist will be what players create through extensive avatar customization to enter the SWORD ART ONLINE VRMMORPG. As they embark on a journey exploring diverse cities and beautiful environments, ranging from serene plains to dungeons filled with secrets, they recognize the peril facing them in an all-too-real life and death challenge.
Echoes of Aincrad features fast-paced RPG action with real-time combat. Players must adapt and upgrade their equipment, weapons, and attributes as well as select special skills to match their preferred playstyle to overcome the game’s many challenging encounters. As players level up and take on ever greater challenges, they will face monsters and bosses that will test their skills and resolve until the very end. They will not journey alone, as their victories in combat rely on working with allies who include the series’ iconic characters, each with different skills, to defy death and escape the SWORD ART ONLINE VRMMORPG.
Echoes of Aincrad is developed by Game Studio Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game is out now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. If you’re interested in trying out the game, a demo is available for all three platforms. For more information, you can follow Bandai Namco Entertainment and the English and Japanese SAO video game X (formerly Twitter) accounts, and you can check out the official website.
