News
Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad Is Out Now, and Its Permadeath Mode Deletes Your Save
Sword Art Online fans have spent over a decade asking for the same thing: put us inside Aincrad, trap us there, and make it count. Echoes of Aincrad, which launched worldwide on July 10 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam at $69.99, is Bandai Namco's most direct answer yet. Developed by Game Studio Inc., it drops you into the original death game as a brand new player rather than yet another Kirito power fantasy.
Video: Bandai Namco Entertainment America on YouTube
A new face in the death game
Instead of following the anime's protagonist, you create your own avatar, pick a build that favors speed, intelligence or endurance, and fight through Aincrad's early floors with real-time action combat and an AI partner system that adapts to how you play. Kirito, Asuna and the information broker Argo all show up, along with a new original character named Iori, but this is your character's story. If you played the demo released in June, your progress from those first five missions carries over into the full game.
The mode that deletes your save
The headline feature is the one fans have joked about for years. Death Game Mode is an optional modifier that recreates the anime's premise for real: die once and that character is gone, save data and all. No reloads, no second chances. Deluxe and Ultimate edition buyers get early access to the mode, while Standard edition players unlock it later. It is a genuinely bold idea for a licensed anime game, and early chatter suggests plenty of players are treating a completed Death Game run as the ultimate badge of honor.
Our take
We love the concept, and the floating castle has never looked better. But we have to be honest about the value question. At launch the game covers only the opening floors of Aincrad, with an expansion promised by the end of December 2026, and $69.99 is a lot for the first slice of a story everyone knows is one hundred floors tall. The permadeath mode is brilliant and genuinely tense, and a custom protagonist finally makes the death game feel personal. If you are a Sword Art Online fan, this is the game you have been asking for. If you are on the fence, try the demo first, or wait to see how the expansion lands before paying full price.
Now available
Physical editions of Echoes of Aincrad, including the collector focused Aincrad Edition with its beanie, wall scroll and patches, are available at retail.
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Source: Bandai Namco Entertainment
FAQ
What is Death Game Mode in Echoes of Aincrad?
It is an optional mode that recreates the anime's stakes. Death is permanent, and when your character dies the save data is deleted. Deluxe and Ultimate edition buyers can unlock it early, while Standard edition players unlock it later through play.
Do you play as Kirito in Echoes of Aincrad?
No. You create your own custom character trapped in the death game, with their own story and allies. Kirito, Asuna and Argo appear in the story alongside a new original character named Iori.