There are already a lot of games based on Sword Art Online and one more is going to be added. Sword Art Online Last Recollection is set for a 2023 release on PC through Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
This upcoming addition to the Sword Art Online series serves as the culmination of the alternate storyline that started with Sword Art Online Infinity Moment, released in 2013. In the light novel and anime, Kirito and the rest of the players were able to log out of Sword Art Online after defeating Heathcliff. However, in Infinity Moment, a glitch caused them to stay in the game world. Not only that, players from other VRMMORPGs were sucked to SAO as well.
The story for Sword Art Online Last Recollection is taken from the War of Underworld arc of the original novel and anime series. Like some other games, this one also takes a different turn compared to the canon version.
Here, the heroes journey to the Underworld where there is an increasing tension between the Human Realm and Dark Territory. If not addressed, this tension could lead humans to a war against the AIs. Little do the heroes know that these developments are actually part of the final stage known as the “Alicization Project.” This is a secret experiment being done by humans in the real world to ensure that war happens in the virtual world and in turn, force the evolution of AI.
In a statement, Bandai Namco Entertainment America Associate Brand Manager Savannah Ho revealed that players should make sure that they won’t miss the fun and action considering that this upcoming game has the “largest number of characters and episodes” in the history of the series. She went on to say that both longtime fans and those new to the series will enjoy the expansive story.
Fans should also be happy to know that the theme song for the game is going to be sung by ReoNa. She is the same Japanese singer who performed "ANIMA" for the opening of the TV anime Sword Art Online War of Underworld and the main theme “Scar/let” for Sword Art Online Alicization Lycoris. Stay tuned for further details on the new theme song.
Know more about the Sword Art Online games here.