While past video game adaptations of the Sword Art Online media franchise have generally had some link to an arc in the main series, Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization is set to offer a brand new gaming experience crafted under the watchful eye of series creator Reki Kawahara.
Currently in development by Aquria for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, this instalment will see Kirito and his friends pulled into a new VRMMORPG known as Sword Art: Origin. Housed on the same servers that hosted the death game years prior, it offers a realm which has both similarities and differences to the original Aincrad. The narrative will see the return of many familiar faces including Kirito, Asuna, Lisbeth, Silica, Leafa, Sinon, Agil, Klein and more. But in offering a unique tale, it will also see the debut of new characters, including a main character known as Premiere.
During the recent Japan Expo, Bandai Namco Entertainment debuted the Collector’s Edition they plan to offer for Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization in PAL markets. While no price has been confirmed yet, we do know this edition will feature two exclusive figurines based on Kirito and Asuna (Approx 16cm each), a copy of the game on the PlayStation 4 and a Collector’s Box. Expect pre-orders to open in the near future.
Bandai Namco have also shared a new promotional trailer, which can be found at the top of this post. Offering a considerable sneak peek of Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization across more than 4 minutes, we are given a look at the plot, character management systems, some of the 300+ characters you can party with and the battle system.
