Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment is a role-playing game for the PlayStation Portable, and is based on the Sword Art Online light novel series. It was released in Japan on March 14, 2013, and received a North American release with its sequel Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment in 2014. It was developed by the Yokohama-based Japanese studio Aquaria, and it was published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

PLOT

Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment takes place in an alternate timeline compared to the source material. Picking up from the moment Kirito and Heathcliff fight at the end of the Sword Art Online anime, a major glitch in the game's servers causes the fight to abruptly end. It is at this point that Kirito and his party realize they cannot log out and that corruption is taking control of the last 25 floors of Aincrad None.

As they progress to the 76th floor, the world begins to experience a series of irregular events. Skills and items are all affected by corruption, and environmental hazards such as earthquakes occur around them. Eventually, the group receives news from Yui that the Cardinal System has also been corrupted, meaning she no longer has to worry about being deleted at the end of the game.

As they climb the final floors, the party members encounter mysterious new characters who both help and hinder their progress to reach the 100th floor. Once their challenges are overcome, Kirito faces Alberich in a dramatic battle.

There are several possible endings in the game, depending on which characters the player sides with before reaching the final stage. Players must progress through the story and complete all available side quests to unlock each of the six available endings.

GAMEPLAY

Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment simulates a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMORPG) similar to the source material. While it resembles a classic MMO, the game is a single-player game and simply mimics the expected systems of an online world.

Players control Kirito while issuing simple commands to their party members, such as defend, recover, or switch. Skills are triggered using an SP cost, which can be recovered by successfully parrying attacks or landing blows. Parties consist of a selection of characters, all of whom are unlocked as they progress through the story or complete side quests.

When the player enters a boss room, a boss raid is initiated. The player then forms a party of eight people, including Kirito, his partner, and other suitable candidates from various guilds.

There is a central area called Arksophia, located on the 76th floor. The player can purchase items and equipment, chat with other players, and customize their appearance. Several optional side quests are also located in this area, which the player can accept.

RECEPTION

Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment sold 138,180 copies in its first week of release in Japan, reaching over 200,000 copies by June 2013.

Kotaku reviewed the game without giving it a rating, but overall, it gave a favorable rating to Sword Art Online fans. "Ultimately, Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment is a game for fans of Sword Art Online, whether it's the light novels or the anime. Everything about the game is built on the assumption that the player is already intimately familiar with the source material. While the gameplay and non-linear dungeons get the job done, it's the story and overall mystery that make this game worth playing."

Due to the limited release in the West, sales figures and media impressions are limited for this title.

FEATURED MAIN CHARACTERS

[Kirito (Kirigaya Kazuto)]
[Asuna (Yuuki Asuna)]
[Yui (daughter of Kirito and Asuna in the game)]
[Agil (Andrew Gilbert Mills)]
[Klein (Tsuboi Ryoutarou)]
[Silica (Ayano Keiko)]
[Leafa (Kirigaya Suguha)]
[Lisbeth (Shinozaki Rika)]
[Otherwise (Asada Shino)]
[Alberich (Sugou Nobuyuki)]
[Strea (new character)]