Bandai Namco Entertainment has steadily released Sword Art Online games after their respective seasons and a solo season of Gun Gale Online. Based on the adaptation of the third season of the anime, Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris has been announced in a new trailer. While the other Sword Art Online games were met with mixed reviews, this particular title was supervised by a renowned Japanese author, Reki Kawahara. Check out the new trailer here:
This game in the franchise will focus on the medieval-fantasy world of “the Alicization canon.” In the next installment, players will be transported to a new virtual land called The Underworld as they once again play as the series hero, Kirito. The purpose of his adventure to The Underworld is so that Kirito can meet up with his pal Eugeo. They’ll have to team up to save their longtime friend Alice, who has mysteriously disappeared after violating the laws of The Underworld. The name Lycoris represents a species of flower from South Japan that has meanings in the botanic vocabulary that will apparently set the tone for the story to come: sad memories, self-reliance, passion, and reunion.
As stated before, previous Sword Art Online Games weren’t widely accepted by the community. But Yosuke Futami, a producer at Bandai Namco, has talked up that new gameplay mechanics and more are coming in this installment. He says on their website that “Sword Art Online Alicization Lycoris will feature new gameplay experiences from those seen in previous SAO titles, ensuring the game will enchant existing fans as well as new comers.” While the vague discussion doesn’t reveal many specifics about what will be new, it still gives loyal fans hopes for improvements to the franchise.
There is no set date for the release of Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris, however it is slated to arrive sometime this year to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam Store.