Revealed back at Gamescom and previously titled #Projekt1514, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet hopes to be accessible for both hardcore SAO fans and those who don’t know the show. According to producer Yosuke Futami, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet will feature “a hidden gimmick” that ensures that anyone can play it.
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Speaking to PCGamesN during Gamescom, Futami stated that “this Sword Art Online [game] will reach a wider range of people,” thanks to this hidden gimmick that “hasn’t been announced yet.” This mysterious mechanic isn’t actually finished yet, but Futami insists that it will make it so non-SAO fans will fit right in when they boot up Fatal Bullet.
As for the actual game itself, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet takes place after the events of Hollow Realization and is set within the world of Gun Gale Online. Rather than its usual fantasy RPG setting, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is set up like a gritty sci-fi shooter, complete with a post-apocalyptic world filled with ruined technology. You aren’t restricted to guns though, as laser swords, polearms, and other weaponry are available to use in battle. While you can play as series protagonist Kirito, it looks like you can create your own character to run around the world of Gun Gale Online.
Despite it having “Online” in the title, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is not actually an MMO; it’s closer to a game like Monster Hunter or Freedom Wars where you can summon up to three friends to complete missions and fight bosses. You can clearly see the Freedom Wars influences, with Fatal Bullet even having a chain-whip similar to Freedom Wars’ Thorns.
If all goes to plan, Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet is scheduled to release on PC in early 2018.