In a new trailer, Bandai Namco has shown off the real time combat players can expect to enjoy in their upcoming RPG Echoes of Aincrad.

First announced last month, Echoes of Aincrad is a new RPG set in the Sword Art universe. With today’s trailer we got to see a brief moment of the gameplay as players will fight alongside a companion. Using the games battle systems, players will be able to use what Bandai is calling the “Switch” system. The Switch system will allow players to shift their roles between their own character and their companion, creating hard hitting chain attacks.

Each companion will have their own unique abilities which will encourage players to explore different tactics and find what works best. According to them this will be just as, if not more important to your survival than which equipment you have as you must work to master yours and your companions skills.

The enemies kind of make it feel a bit like a more anime style Monster Hunter game. With large and small animal like creatures to take on, there will be a big need for all those different tactics. Having never played a Sword Art game before, this does look quite interesting.

As per the Steam page for Echoes of Aincrad the description states:

Step into the floating castle of Aincrad, a world of breathtaking beauty and danger where every battle could be your last. Enter a mysterious, vibrant world and shape your fate. Create your hero, choose your gear, and master combat through your special skills and reflexes. Build synergy with the partner of your choice, level up, and unlock powerful abilities as your horizon expands with every victory.
Will you rise and claim your destiny or fall to foes stronger than you imagined?

This is not just a game; it’s a battle for survival. Take up your weapon, shape your legend, and enter an adventure to risk your reality!

Echoes of Aincrad is set to release on July 10th, 2026 for Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5 and PC.