FAQ
Common questions about Echoes of Aincrad — is it good, how it ties to the anime, co-op and multiplayer, how long it is, and the six weapon classes.
Is Echoes of Aincrad good? Is it worth it?
Launch reception is mixed — around the low-60s on Metacritic. Reviewers praise the combat, the original-cast story, and the series' first full English dub; the common criticisms are repetitive dungeons, shallow crafting and limited exploration. Longtime fans call it the best Sword Art Online game in over a decade, while action-RPG players find the MMO-lite structure wears thin. If you're here for the SAO atmosphere and the Aincrad climb, it delivers; if you want deep systems, temper expectations.
How many floors of Aincrad are in Echoes of Aincrad?
Two — Floors 1 and 2 of the 100-floor castle. That's a deliberate scope choice, not a cut corner: producer Yosuke Futami has said faithfully rebuilding all 100 floors — each roughly ten square kilometers — would take about a decade, so the team built the opening floors out in depth instead of spreading the tower thin. A paid expansion planned for later in 2026 adds a post-story side chapter, new companions and tougher encounters across those two floors. The Floors of Aincrad page breaks down what each floor holds.
How does it relate to the anime?
It returns to the start of the original Sword Art Online — the death-game premise on the early floors of Aincrad. You play your own created character rather than Kirito, but the canon cast (Kirito, Asuna, Argo) appears alongside the original character Iori.
Is there co-op or multiplayer?
No — Echoes of Aincrad is single-player at launch, with no online co-op, PvP or crossplay. Instead of real players, an offline AI partner system fights alongside you (see the Partners database). Bandai Namco has said it would consider adding multiplayer or floor raids if demand is strong, but nothing is committed.
How long is Echoes of Aincrad?
Roughly 15–25 hours to finish the main story, depending on difficulty and how much side content you take on. Completionists chasing every side mission and the endgame grind can run 30–50+ hours.
How many weapon types and weapon classes are there?
Six: One-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Sword, Rapier, Dagger, Mace and Axe. Each has its own sword skills.