Although previous video game adaptations of the Sword Art Online media franchise have featured their own unique stories, they have in the past been based within the in-universe VRMMORPG’s ‘Sword Art Online’ (Infinity Moment, Hollow Fragment) or Alfheim Online (Lost Song). All three stories have taken place in their own canon, which is considered separate from either the light novel or anime. Therefore, it shouldn’t be all that surprising if a future title deviated even further by introducing a brand new virtual reality game into the mix.
Continuing their work on the video game chronology, Bandai Namco Entertainment have recently confirmed that their English-localised release of Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization is now available on store shelves for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. This features an original story created by Reki Kawahara, and will see players exploring a VRMMORPG known as Sword Art Origins – a world based on SAO.
Taking place in 2026, players will once again fill the shoes of Kirito, as he explores of Ainground – a world reminiscent of the one he and his friends fought hard to survive within. It doesn’t take long for him to be drawn into new mysteries however. Kirito meets a mysterious NPC, Premiere, and receives a cryptic message: “I am back in Aincrad”. From there, he and his friends work to discover the mysteries behind this young girl – who has no discernible personality as an NPC.
Featuring a revised battle system where three party members can join Kirito on the field at any one time, Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization will see many familiar faces from different stages of the Sword Art Online chronology return. These include SAO players such as Asuna, Silica, Lisbeth and Klein, characters from other arcs including Leafa, Sinon and Yuuki, and a range of other formerly secondary / game-exclusive characters including Argo, Strea and Philia.
