Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad Review - The Final Verdict

All in all, Echoes of Aincrad does succeed in portraying the expansive VR world away from Kirito and Asuna, but only just. It gives enough options to forge your own creation, although the immersion in your avatar’s journey would be better served if they talked to their companions. Sadly, the game’s biggest struggles - its pacing, mechanical friction, and repetition - far outweigh the positives that can be gleaned out of buildcrafting and atmosphere design. For those reasons, Echoes of Aincrad is a tough sell, even if you’ve the patience of a veteran.