by Joseph Knoop
Namco Bandai has announced that it will be releasing Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment on the PS Vita in North America this summer, according to a press release by the company.
The game will be available exclusively as a digital download on the PSN.
Hollowed Fragment takes place in an alternate universe than the popular anime series. Players are given series' protagonist Kirito as a basic avatar, but can customize his appearance, while also being able to change his name. The game begins on the 76th floor Aincrad, a location fans of the series will recognize, allowing players to clear floors and bosses.
The game also features dating sims, much like the series. Players can go on dates with female characters and presumably do other anime 'stuff.'
I'm actually a decent fan of the series. For everything typical or wrong with it, there were always a few elements that helped the series stick out in my memory. Unlike other shows, the extensive passage of time allowed for some pretty hard hitting themes, including the mental effects of being trapped in a virtual world for incredibly long periods of time.
What do you readers think? Excited for an SAO title to come to the west? Anime games generally get a bad reputation, but if enough effort and production value is put into this title, we could be living the dream of swords and spiky hair soon enough.
Source: Dualshockers
Image Credit: Dualshockers
