Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization

Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization

Tentative box art
Developer(s) Aquria
Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Games
Series Sword Art Online
Platform(s) PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Release date(s)
  • JP October 27, 2016
  • NA Q4 2016
  • EU Q4 2016
Genre(s) Role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization (ソードアート・オンライン -ホロウ・リアリゼーション- Sōdoāto Onrain - Horō Riarizēshon -) is an upcoming video game for the PlayStation 4 and Vita based on the Sword Art Online light novel series. It is the fourth video game in the series and the successor to Sword Art Online: Lost Song. Hollow Realization is set for an October 27, 2016 release in Japan,[1] while further releases have been announced in North American and European territories.[2][3]

Gameplay

Sample series gameplay from the Hollow Realization premiere trailer

Unlike in Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment and Lost Song, a party in Hollow Realization consists of four characters including the player, instead of three.[4][5] While HF is played like a role-playing game and LS like an action role-playing game game, HR is based on HF's style, but with action elements integrated.[6] Characters can be customized through in-game character creation, with gender, height, figure, weapons, and physical appearance changeable.[7]

A new battle system also features in Hollow Realization, where the four-person team of players fight monsters using sword skills in a similar fashion to the original Sword Art Online game. Players can also direct and receive guidance from party members in collaborating to perform team strategies and attacks.[2] Players perform chain attacks with party members using a "Switch" system for greater damage output against powerful monsters, including charged attacks and aerial combos.[2][8] A healing system in the game allows defeated characters to rejoin the battle as long as teammates are still fighting.[8] The game features online multiplayer.[6] This includes "Named Monsters", which are monsters with significant strength that appear without warning.[7]

Synopsis

Setting and characters

Hollow Realization takes place in Sword Art: Origin, a restoration of Aincrad with intentions of research and development[9] in the year 2026, three years after the original Sword Art Online event.[10] However, unlike in Sword Art Online, Aincrad is one large floor, instead of multiple, while the castle itself was renamed to Ainground,[6] where several monsters can be battled.[2]

The main female character of the game is a 14-year old AI, known as Premiere,[11] that travels with Kirito.[5] Other prominent characters from the franchise such as Asuna, Leafa, Sinon, Lisbeth and Silica also feature.[2]

Development

The game was teased at Tokyo Game Show 2015 in September[9] with the working title of SAO IV.[12] It was officially announced at Dengeki Bunko Fall Fest by Bandai Namco on October 3.[13] According to Bandai Namco Games producer Yosuke Futami, the game was devised with the idea of Kirito starting the game at level one.[5] A Western release date was later announced, with Hollow Realization releasing in Japan, North America, and Europe in Q4 2016 at around the same time.[14] The game will feature Japanese voices coupled with English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish subtitles.[15]

References

  1. ↑ てけおん (April 25, 2016). "『SAO ホロウ・リアリゼーション』の発売日が10月27日に決定！". Dengeki Online. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Paolo Togonon, Miguel. "'Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization' PS4 release date set on 2016 in North America; Bandai Namco stream new gameplay trailer, crossover with '.hack' anime". Yibada. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  3. ↑ Romano, Sal. "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization coming west in 2016". Gematsu. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  4. ↑ James, Thomas (October 4, 2014). "First Sword Art Online: Lost Song gameplay details". Gematsu. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Romano, Sal (October 6, 2015). "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization first details". Gematsu. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Romano, Sal (October 14, 2015). "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization is set in Ainground". Gematsu. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Romano, Sal. "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization introduces character customization, marshland area, and Named Monsters". Gematsu. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Martinez, Phillip. "‘Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization’ Gameplay Footage Shows Monster Fighting And Combos". iDigitalTimes. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Romano, Sal (October 4, 2015). "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization announced for PS4, PS Vita". Gematsu. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ Halestorm, Bradly. "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Headed West This Year, Gameplay Shown". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Game's English-Subtitled Trailer Now Lists 2016 Date". Anime News Network. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  12. ↑ てけおん (October 4, 2015). "ゲーム『SAO』第4弾は“ホロウ”の後継作！ MMOらしさとアクション性を両立させた作品に" (in Japanese). Dengeki Online. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  13. ↑ Storm, Bradly (October 3, 2015). "New Sword Art Online Game Scheduled for Release Next Year". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  14. ↑ MacGregor, Kyle. "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization coming west this fall". Destructoid. Retrieved April 2016.
  15. ↑ "Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Videos Showcase Battle Actions, Boss Battle". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 19, 2016.

External links

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