Sword Art Online: Last Recollection — Everything We Know

Voluntarily, players sign up for a virtual reality game, only for things to quickly take a turn for the worst. Game over equals actual death. Survive the game, and “congratulations!” you get to live another day. For roughly 10 years, Sword Art Online has released sci-fi fantasy anime games like these. Where players, despite narrowly surviving their last ordeal, join a deadly virtual reality game. In retrospect, some have been missions to save a partner trapped in the simulation. But others have been completely voluntary. If this sounds like your kind of afternoon gaming, there’s a new Sword Art Online game in the works.

Sword Art Online: Last Recollection is an upcoming game culminating in the largest Sword Art Online playable characters and events roster. Kirito and his friends will return, along with new friends they picked up. There’s no better time to dive into the series or for fans to reminisce about the old times. Before the release date, we scoured the internet for details on the story, gameplay, platforms, and more. So, buckle up as we jump into the Sword Art Online: Last Recollection – Everything We Know article below.

What is Sword Art Online: Last Recollection?

Sword Art Online: Last Recollection is an upcoming action RPG game that’ll be the newest installment in the Sword Art Online series. It’s going to feature Sword Art Online’s War of Underworld’s setting. Except, it’ll have a new story that features challenging missions for Kirito and his friends. According to Steam’s description, Last Recollection will feature the largest roster of Sword Art Online’s playable characters and events. This is in celebration of Sword Art Online’s upcoming 10th Anniversary, when players can reminisce about the old times while meeting their favorite characters once more.

Story

Sword Art Online: Last Recollection will feature a brand new original storyline. It’ll explore an alternate reality to when Kirito, Eugeo, and their friends met their tragic ends in The War of the Underworld. The cast will feature fan favorites from past Sword Art Online games, with Steam stating that it’ll be the largest roster yet. You’ll see some familiar enemies from the Sword Art Online series. Specifically, players will find out the true identity of the Dark Knight. You’ll also go toe to toe with the forces of the Dark Territory, fighting alongside your crew to survive through the game.

Gameplay

Sword Art Online: Last Recollection will elevate the series’ battle system, making it more exciting to play. You can access the game via the single-player mode, offline, or up to four players in multiplayer mode, online. The series has been following protagonist Kirito and his friends as they jump into a new version of a virtual reality MMORPG game called Sword Art Online for each new entry. 

The latest, “War of Underworld,” wrapped up with a tragic end. Now, it seems they want to create a new tale of an alternate reality. Many questions remain unclear from the last game, like who the Dark Knight is or whether the world ending means Kirito and his friends’ dying, too. What’s clear, though, is yet another gripping tale is about to unfold, and fans can’t possibly keep still till the game drops.

Development

Developer Aquria and publishers Namco Bandai Games America Inc. and BNE Entertainment are currently working on Sword Art Online: Last Recollection. They plan to launch the game on October 6, 2023, which is around the same time as Sword Art Online’s 10th anniversary. The idea is to incorporate as many fan favorites in the new game as well as sub-scenarios from past Sword Art Online games. This way, players can reminisce about the old times while celebrating how far the franchise has come. 

Trailer

Namco Bandai Games America Inc. released an official trailer in January 2023. It showcases glimpses of the story, gameplay, and art direction. In the description, they reveal Dorothy as the Dark Knight tasked with finding a peaceful resolution to the war between the Dark Territory and the Human Realm. Kirito and his friends are caught in the middle, and it’s up to you to navigate and survive the forces of the Dark Territory. 

Afterwards, they released a system and story trailer, filling in the gaps of what to expect in the new game’s story, battles, weapon types, character customization, and more. Spot the featured new music video, also out now on Youtube. It’s called “VITA” by ReoNa and will be the theme song for the new game. The video compiles 10 years of history for both the anime and game series, perhaps indicating Last Recollection might be the last game to wrap up an incredible decade. 

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Sword Art Online: Last Recollection plans to launch on October 6, 2023. It’ll release on both current and next-gen consoles. These include PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. As for editions, there are three currently available. Find the three editions and their listed packages below.

Standard Edition

• Sword Art Online: Last Recollection full game
• Five Sword Weapon Skins for one-handed sword-type weapons in-game, It includes:
  • Elucidator Skin
  • Dark Repulser Skin
  • Remaining Heart Skin
  • Rainbow Blade Ex Eterna Skin
  • Aetherial Glow Skin

Deluxe Edition

• Every item in the Standard Edition, plus:
• Premium Pass (contents to be revealed later)
• Ritual of Bonds Vol. 1
• Ritual of Bonds Vol. 2
• Integrity Knights Costume Set

Ultimate Edition

• Every item in the Deluxe Edition, plus:
• Battle BGM Pack
• Soundtrack 
• Artbook

Looking to pre-order Sword Art Online: Last Recollection? Check out the editions on offer and choose the one you prefer right here. If you do pre-order, you’ll receive the Black Swordsman Swords Skins Set as an additional bonus. Also, note that the “Premium Pass” will include DLC, which will be available on December 31, 2024. For more updates on Sword Art Online: Last Recollection, feel free to follow the official social website here. Meanwhile, we’ll also be sure to let you know of any new information that comes up.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Sword Art Online: Last Recollection when it drops? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.