Bandai Namco have revealed a whole load of gameplay footage from its upcoming JRPG Sword Art Online Alicization Lycoris. The show highlighted character Asuna, the game’s co-op feature, as well as the world boss in full glory.
Bandai firstly featured the game’s trailer that showcased the main story as well as gameplay from popular SAO character Asuna. The show then featured a livestream hosted by Japanese magazine Dengeki PlayStation that exhibited some gameplay visuals. Viewers were able to see how players will be able to create different characters, as well as a behind the scenes look at some co-op endeavors. Fans can play with four or more players as well as NPCs to battle in the Underworld. An intriguing game mechanic that was also revealed was learned behavior that one of the in-game AI’s can mimic and give to an NPC.
The livestream summarized the 300 adventures that the aforementioned AI can go on in order to aid other players from around the world. Character customization was also a talking point that detailed player selection of costumes that are separate from the current equipment your character is wearing through the Visualize Attire feature. The feature will also allow powers to be added to your character’s attire and CUBE’s would let players obtain different costumes too.
The concept of Sword Art Online is set in the near future and revolves around characters, including protagonist Kirito, that are able to enter a virtual reality MMORPG with tech known as NerveGear. The helmet essentially triggers the five sense of the brain that allows characters to have an immersive interactive gameplay experience. The game series is based on the anime series that first aired in 2012 and the anime was developed from the Japanese novels of the same name.
The Sword Art Online games are set in an alternate timeline that is different to the anime show. However, it is recommended that in order to fully grasp the concept of the games interested players should consider watching the first 14 episodes of the first season and a summary of the previous games. Alicization Lycoris is not supposed to have too strong a connection to the previous games in the franchise, therefore new players might be able to delve into this new installment after getting a general summary of past storylines.
SAO has large and loyal following of players all around the world that are keen to see Bandai’s adaptation of Alicization Beginning Volume 9 that will primarily allow players to explore the Underworld of Project Alicization.
Source: 電撃オンライン/YouTube
