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Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization delivers original story and characters for the SAO universe

Bandai Namco Games is set to launch the latest Sword Art Online video game, Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization very soon. The game launches in Japan on October 27. Fans in Europe and North America won't have to wait much longer; the game will be released in those regions on November 8.

Hollow Realization is set after the events of Lost Song and takes players back to the world of Ainground, a revamped version of Aincrad, in a compelling scenario. Fans are thrust into a VRMMO called Sword Art: Origin, which has been built based off the servers on Sword Art Online. However, rather than having multiple, different levels, this version of Aincrad has been rebuilt as one large floor. There's also a new castle where players can battle monsters.

Many of the classic, iconic Sword Art Online characters, including Kirito, Asuna, Silica, Sinon, Leafa, and Lisbeth, are back. There's also a new mysterious main character, an AI named Premiere. For the gameplay, players can form a four-player party for their missions. Hollow Realization has some great customization options for the digital avatars as well. Weapons, outfits and even hairstyles can all be customized in the game

There's always an interesting theme and story at the center of every installment of Sword Art Online; Hollow Realization is no exception. Something strange is happening in Ainground, and Premiere looks to be at the very center of it. Besides the RPG-style gameplay, Hollow Realization also has a strong central mystery surrounding Premiere. The Sword Art Online games offer fans of the franchise something new, with alternate versions of the storyline and new characters, not depicted in the original light novels or anime series. It's fun to get some re-imagined versions of the Sword Art Online characters in new or altered settings, along with different characters.

Hollow Realization features an intuitive weapon improvement system, which involves getting help from Blacksmiths. The Blacksmiths are the craftsmen of Aincrad who are located throughout the game world. Each one has different forge skills and abilities to build up and improve personal weapons. However, upgrading weapons will cost specific crafting materials and money. Additionally, higher-level improvements for a weapon will require a Blacksmith with a higher level of skills.

Fans of the Sword Art Online series who have ever wanted to explore the Town of Beginnings in Aincrad from the show will get that chance in Hollow Realization. The Town acts as a central hub area of the game, where players can find the Transition Gate Square, which is where all the adventures are available through various gates. Players will be able to peruse the Shopping Arcade to buy helpful items, and then view the entire town in the Observation Platform. Other nice in-game areas include the Park by the Lake, and the Room of Kirito. where gamers can customize their personal avatars and go over mission planning with their teammates.

Another great aspect for Hollow Realization is that while there will be paid DLC and a Season Pass for the game, Bandai Namco is also planning to release some free story content too. Gematsu reports that at the 2016 Tokyo Game Show, Bandai Namco revealed the free major update for the game, which is tentatively titled Fighters of the Blue Sky, will offer players some free content. In fact, it will feature new story content with the return of Rain and Seven from Sword Art Online: Lost Song. This free DLC will give players some new maps to explore as well. Another DLC for Hollow Realization includes the return of Kizmel from Sword Online Progressive, and she will be included in the game as a non-playable party member. Other free DLC will come in the form of new quests and missions. The game will continue getting new content as well. The Season Pass, which is currently available for $24.99, looks to be made up of three additional pieces of episodic DLC, including the Shrine Maiden of the Abyss. Other DLC packs will include new bonus costumes

Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization arrives on PlayStation 4 and PS Vita on October 27 in Japan. It will then be available on both platforms in North America and Europe on November 8. The North American PS Vita release is set as a digital-only release. Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization is available for pre-order now!