Echoes of Aincrad, the latest action RPG based on the popular Japanese light novel series Sword Art Online, has had a lukewarm start, sitting at a 64 on Metacritic.

Echoes of Aincrad acts as a reboot of the Aincrad arc, where the original story began. It covers the events unfolding on the first and second floors of Aincrad after the setting turns into a death game. Unlike previous titles that forced players into the shoes of established icons, this entry lets you carve your own path with an original character.

Critics seem to agree on one thing: the repetition is exhausting. The game is plagued by recycled enemies and quests, making the experience feel increasingly tedious as you progress. Furthermore, despite being an open-world title, the exploration feels surprisingly restricted, hampered by clunky navigation and a story that moves at a glacial pace.

On a brighter note, the ability to ditch the original cast and explore the Sword Art Online universe through a custom protagonist has been welcomed. Viewing Aincrad from a fresh perspective with a personal character, supported by some genuinely detailed visuals, provides a solid reason to dive in.

Echoes of Aincrad launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on the 9th, with the PC (Steam) version following on the 10th.