Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced Echoes of Aincrad, a new action RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe. It will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam on July 10 (in Japan, the console versions will launch on July 9 JST, a day ahead of the Steam release)
The press release calls the Game Studio Inc.-developed game a “reboot” of the “Aincrad” arc that takes place on the floating castle’s first two floors. Players will be able to experience the death game as their own self-created character, although the website’s character section reveals that they will still see familiar faces like Kirito, Asuna, and Argo. Another major character is the Kana Ichinose-voiced Iori, who has history with the player character by tutoring them during the Sword Art Online beta test.
Here are some other details offered by the Steam page:
Define Your Progression
Shape your adventure and determine your fate by adapting your equipment, weapons, statistics, partner and special skills to reflect your favor for speed, intelligence, or endurance. Gather more strength as you level up. Growth is essential for your survival. Deepen the synergy with your partner, adapt their tactics and build to create a team dynamic that turns every battle into a triumph.
Explore A Thriving World
Wander across diverse cities and journey through stunning environments, from serene plains to perilous dungeons filled with secrets. Complete quests, hunt rare treasures, and challenge formidable foes in real-time action combat. The map expands as your story unfolds, revealing new areas and dangers at every turn.
Additionally, the descriptions for the game’s Deluxe and Ultimate editions (the Ultimate edition is also included with the PS5-exclusive Aincrad edition) reveal that there will be a Death Game Mode — unlocked early for purchasers of those special editions — and a DLC expansion scheduled for a December 31 release.
Sword Art Online fans will also be getting a new anime, titled Unanswered//butterfly, which serves as promotional material for Echoes of Aincrad. It’s a Polygon Pictures-produced title directed by Tadahiro Yoshihara (Star Wars Visions Volume 3 “The Bird of Paradise“) and written by the game’s scenario writer Keisuke Makino (Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut anime series composer and light novel author). The anime will feature a runtime of more than 110 minutes and includes the Tomoyo Kurosawa-voiced Emirun and the Koki Uchiyama-voiced Lex among the main cast.. A lengthy trailer can be seen below:
Free (but lottery-based) screening events for Unanswered//butterfly will be held in Tokyo and Osaka on May 9. There are also plans to stream it for free. The screening events will split the anime into three parts, and the first part will feature a stage greeting involving the cast, Yoshihara, and others.
An uncut version of Unanswered//butterfly is part of Echoes of Aincrad‘s Ultimate Edition contents. In Japan, it is also available in Blu-ray form with the PS5-only Premium Edition.
Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment America YouTube channel, press release
