Review by Jon Donnis
Echoes of Aincrad is a new action RPG from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment that returns players to the iconic world of Sword Art Online, but with a major change. Instead of simply retelling Kirito’s journey, players are given the opportunity to create their own hero and experience the world of Aincrad from a fresh perspective.
The idea behind Echoes of Aincrad is an exciting one. A floating castle filled with danger, mystery and adventure provides the perfect setting for an RPG, and the game does capture some of that sense of stepping into a vast fantasy world. Unfortunately, while there are plenty of good ideas here, the final experience often feels like it falls short of its potential.
One of the strongest aspects of Echoes of Aincrad is its presentation. The game looks fantastic, with colourful environments, impressive character designs and a vibrant interpretation of the Sword Art Online universe. The soundtrack is arguably the highlight, delivering memorable themes that help create the feeling of a grand adventure. It is an area where the game consistently impresses.
The decision to allow players to create their own character is also a welcome one. Rather than simply following an established character's story, you are able to design your own avatar and become part of the Aincrad world. This gives the adventure a more personal feel and makes progression feel like your own journey.
The RPG systems offer some enjoyable depth as well. Customising your character, experimenting with different weapons, improving equipment and creating builds around different playstyles are all satisfying elements. The variety of weapons and upgrade mechanics are among the better parts of the experience, giving players reasons to continue improving their character and adapting their approach to combat.
The original storyline and introduction of new characters are also positive additions. For fans of Sword Art Online, seeing a different perspective on Aincrad is much more interesting than another retelling of familiar events. The game has the foundations of something that could have been a memorable adventure.
Unfortunately, many of those foundations are let down by design choices that hold the game back. The pacing is one of the biggest problems. Too often, the game feels sluggish, with long pauses and animations that slow down the experience. Instead of maintaining momentum, the adventure frequently comes to a stop.
Combat is another area where Echoes of Aincrad struggles. While the game presents itself as an action RPG, the combat mechanics are incredibly basic. Battles lack the depth and excitement expected from a modern action RPG, making encounters feel repetitive rather than thrilling.
Exploration also suffers from missed opportunities. The world may look impressive, but much of it feels empty. For a game set in such a famous location, there are surprisingly few interesting things to discover or interact with. The lack of meaningful exploration makes travelling through the world feel more like moving between objectives rather than uncovering a living environment.
The loot system is another disappointment. Equipment is not randomly generated, which removes much of the excitement from exploring areas and defeating enemies. Instead of wondering what valuable item might be waiting around the next corner, players will often find themselves simply following a guide to locate specific rewards.
The NPCs also leave a lot to be desired. Characters are often boring, with poor animations making conversations feel lifeless. The game also struggles to make player choices feel meaningful, with decisions having little impact on the overall experience.
Echoes of Aincrad feels like a game with a great idea at its core, but one that does not always deliver on its ambition. Those looking for a huge open world to freely explore may come away disappointed, but players who prefer a more focused quest based RPG will find plenty to enjoy. The character creation, upgrade systems, soundtrack and visual presentation all provide genuine highlights.
However, at £55, it is difficult to ignore the feeling that this is an opportunity missed. The world of Aincrad deserved a deeper and more engaging adventure, and while Echoes of Aincrad has some enjoyable moments, it ultimately feels like it needed more time and ambition.
There is a free demo available on Steam, and it provides a very good idea of what the full game offers. The gameplay loop is clear from the demo, so it is worth trying before purchasing. If you enjoy the demo, you will likely find more to enjoy in the full release.
Personally, Echoes of Aincrad was a little underwhelming. I wanted more from a game set in such an interesting world, and while there are enjoyable elements here, the overall experience never reaches the heights it could have.
Score: 6 out of 10.
