News
The floating castle is open again. Echoes of Aincrad, the Sword Art Online action-RPG from Game Studio Inc. and publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment, is out now on Steam — and it makes one big change SAO fans have been asking about for years.
You are not Kirito this time
Rather than handing you the series protagonist, Echoes of Aincrad puts you in your own avatar. You design and customize a hero that reflects your vision, then shape your build around speed, intelligence, or endurance through equipment, weapons, stats, and special skills. As the studio frames it, this is your identity and your legend in a world where survival is everything.
Partner synergy is the core system
Combat is real-time action, but the standout mechanic is your partner. You choose who fights beside you, then deepen that synergy over time by adapting their tactics and build. It is less a follower system and more the other half of your combat identity — the difference between surviving a fight and dominating it.
A world that opens up as you go
You wander diverse cities and travel from serene plains to perilous dungeons packed with secrets, completing quests, hunting rare treasures, and challenging formidable foes. The map expands as your story unfolds, revealing new areas and new dangers with each step deeper into Aincrad.
Availability
Echoes of Aincrad launched on July 9, 2026 and is available now on Steam for $69.99, with full controller support including DualSense. It is a single-player JRPG adventure with Steam Achievements and Cloud saves.
For the full feature breakdown and screenshots, see our Echoes of Aincrad game page.
