Sword Art Online · Action JRPG · July 10, 2026

Echoes of Aincrad — Guides, Tools & Launch Intel

Your independent hub for SAO: Echoes of Aincrad — the new Bandai Namco action RPG where you, not Kirito, are the trapped player. Plan a build, pick a weapon, and survive the floating castle.

Open the Build Planner Weapon Tier List Beginner's Guide

Last updated June 26, 2026. Pre-launch info from the demo & official sources — re-verified at launch.

Start here

Core Tool

Build Planner

Pick a weapon, spend Growth Points, pair an AI partner, then optimise a sword-skill loadout for max DPS — and share it with a link.

Database

Weapon & Skill Database

Every weapon and sword skill — searchable, filterable and sortable by SP, damage and DPS-per-SP.

Rankings

Weapon Tier List

All six demo weapon types ranked S–D with the reasoning — provisional and updated at launch.

Guide

Beginner's Guide

Parry, dodge, limb-severing, stat priorities and the early-game mistakes to avoid.

Hardcore

Death Game Mode

The optional permadeath mode that deletes your save — how it works and how to survive it.

Companions

AI Partners

Iori, Argo, Wyzeman, Zash and more — roles, synergy and who to bring.

Info

Wiki & Server Status

Is there a Trello? A server status page? Straight answers for a single-player game.

What makes Echoes of Aincrad different

Past SAO games put you in Kirito's shoes. Echoes of Aincrad finally delivers the fantasy fans actually wanted: be one of the 10,000 players trapped in Aincrad and live your own story.

Create-your-own protagonist — a series first. Your avatar, your build, your legend.
Real-time action combat — light/heavy attacks, character skills on cooldown, companion skills on a damage meter, plus guard, dodge, parry and satisfying limb-severing.
Six weapon types & free respec — sword, rapier, dagger, mace, two-handed sword, two-handed axe; experiment freely.
AI partner system — one companion joins each quest, each filling a different role.
Optional Death Game Mode — true permadeath for fans who want the original SAO tension.

Heads up: Kirito and the original cast appear, but your character is the protagonist of their own arc. The producer has said the story stays true to the original SAO characters and history.

Frequently asked questions

What is Echoes of Aincrad?

It is a single-player action JRPG set in the floating castle of Aincrad from Sword Art Online. Developed by Game Studio Inc. and published by Bandai Namco, it launches July 10, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). For the first time in the series you create your own avatar instead of playing as Kirito.

When does Echoes of Aincrad release?

July 10, 2026 on Steam, with consoles unlocking July 9 in some regions. A free demo has been available since mid-June 2026 and your demo save carries into the full game.

Is Echoes of Aincrad multiplayer or co-op?

No. It is a single-player experience with AI partners — there is no online co-op or PvP. The MMO setting is fiction; you fight alongside AI companions, not other players.

Does it have codes or microtransactions like a Roblox game?

No redeemable codes. It is a premium $69.99 title. See our Codes page for the full explanation and the pre-order bonuses you actually get.

Official links

Buy / wishlist

Pre-order or wishlist on the official channels: Bandai Namco · Steam. See our Sources page for every reference behind this site.