A seven-minute system trailer for the Sword Art Online action RPG Echoes of Aincrad has been released. The new preview covers aspects like character customization, exploration, player combat, base towns, weapon types and mods, the partner system, and boss battles.
The game is coming out on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam on July 10 (in Japan, the console versions will launch on July 9), with a DLC expansion already scheduled for December 31. It has been described as a “reboot” of the Sword Art Online series’ opening “Aincrad Arc” that focuses on Aincrad’s first two floors.
A Death Game mode that deletes the player’s save upon a game over will be accessible earlier for Deluxe and Ultimate edition owners. The Ultimate edition will also come with the Echoes of Aincrad promotional anime Unanswered//butterfly.
Part of the game’s Steam page description reads:
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?
This is not just a game; it’s a battle for survival. Take up your weapon, shape your legend, and enter an adventure to risk your reality!
The game is developed by Game Studio Inc. and has Keisuke Makino (Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut anime series composer and light novel author) as its scenario writer. Makino is also the scriptwriter for Unanswered//butterfly.
Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment America YouTube channel