Bandai Namco has unveiled the first DLC for Sword Art Online action RPG Echoes of Aincrad, titled “Genesis Maidens.” Echoes of Aincrad Genesis Maidens will launch this winter with a brand-new storyline, new areas of Floors 1 and 2 of Aincrad, new ally Misumi Tozawa (Mito) from the Sword Art Online Progressive films, a new curved sword weapon type, and a new armor enhancement system.
Echoes of Aincrad launched on July 10 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam for $69.99. In addition to the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition ($89.99), Ultimate Edition ($109.99), and Aincrad Edition (Bandai Namco Store exclusive, $149.99) are all available. The Ultimate Edition includes the feature-length anime Sword Art Online: Unanswered//butterfly.
Available in all versions of Echoes of Aincrad and as an early unlock for the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions, the new Death Game Mode is reference to the consequence that players of the in-universe MMORPG experience if they run out of health and dies in the game—permadeath. Upon death, Echoes of Aincrad will delete the player’s save data on the 2nd and 3rd slots, which are the slots that Death Game Mode supports.
The performance specifications per platform include the following targets:
- PlayStation 5 – 4K at 60 FPS max frame rate
- Xbox Series X – 4K at 60 FPS max frame rate
- Xbox Series S – 1440p at 60 FPS max frame rate
- PC (Steam) – 720p to 4K supported, unlimited frame rate
The official Japanese website also confirmed that Echoes of Aincrad doesn’t support HDR.
Aimer performs the game’s theme song “Live to Survive.”
