Sword Art Online Echoes of Aincrad Brings Back Aincrad With New Combat but Falls Short of Fan Expectations
Echoes of Aincrad is the latest Sword Art Online action RPG that returns players to Aincrad with a custom protagonist instead of Kirito. Developed by Game Studio Inc using Unreal Engine, the game attempts to rebuild the franchise’s game adaptations with a fresh story, improved atmosphere, and a stronger focus on the original death-game concept. But then again, repetitive gameplay, limited exploration and dated design choices keep it from being an RPG experience.
The game is set in Aincrad, a floating castle. It has 100 floors and is floating above the clouds. It follows the original plot of 10,000 players stuck in a virtual reality MMORPG made by Akihiko Kayaba. Players must clear every floor to escape, while death inside the game results in real-world death.
Instead of retelling Kirito’s journey, the game introduces a player-created protagonist and an original cast. The story begins during the beta period, with a prologue that introduces the world, combat systems, and characters like Iori and Saayu. After launch, players discover the truth behind the death game and join survivors trying to climb Aincrad. The story runs alongside anime events while adding new mysteries and allowing fans to experience the world from ordinary players’ perspectives.
Combat Systems and Exploration Challenges
Gameplay follows a traditional action RPG structure with missions, monster battles, crafting, weapon upgrades, and character progression. Combat is one of the stronger elements, featuring six weapon types, Sword Skills, partner attacks, dodging, guarding, and counterattacks. Weapon customization also allows players to transfer abilities and create stronger equipment.
But repetitive missions and the lack of enemy diversity dilute the experience. Many quests require the collection of items, killing of enemies or combat against upgraded versions of creatures. Environments are big, but often feel empty, with exploration largely limited to treasure chests and objectives. There were originally 100 floors in Aincrad, but the game only allows you to explore the first two. The dungeon areas are more fun to explore, but they are less common.
A promising fan experience and missed potential
Echoes of Aincrad is a fan service product that does the job by offering a new perspective, emotional story-telling, and a closer tie to the original death game concept. However, limited exploration, repetitive gameplay, poor enemy design and dated mechanics hold the game back from reaching its full potential. It’s a fun adventure, but it never reaches the heights of a stellar action RPG, even if you’re a fan of Sword Art Online or RPGs that focus on grinding.
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RPG Fans –
- Echoes of Aincrad is a Sword Art Online RPG set in the Aincrad death game with a custom hero.
- The game features repetitive quests, basic combat, and old-style RPG progression.
- A strong concept but not deep enough, not varied enough, and not well told.
IGN –
- The anime features a new cast and original storylines that run parallel to the events of the Aincrad arc.
- Combat has a variety of weapons, Sword Skills, counters and companion-based abilities.
- Post-game adds Warped Dungeons with roguelite challenges and permanent Key Stone upgrades.
Vine Monster-
- The story has been praised for following the survival journey of normal players, not just Kirito.
- Combat is beefed up with more powerful hits, a wider range of weapons, and dismemberment effects on enemies.
- Many outdated restrictions hurt the experience, despite creative ideas and improved visuals.
CG Magazine –
- Echoes of Aincrad is made in Unreal Engine and supports VR with UEVR which fits well with the concept of its virtual world.
- The game starts off with a 3 hour long beta prologue before introducing the main custom character.
- It’s a new spin on the SAO formula with new characters, but big maps and repetitive exploration dampen the experience.
Push Square –
- Echoes of Aincrad works as a franchise reset with a stronger atmosphere and emotional focus.
- The game features Souls like combat, grinding, loot upgrades and weapon customization systems.
- Good story ideas are hobbled by poor combat feedback, empty areas and missing quality-of-life features.
