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 recieved a North American release bundled with its sequel Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment in 2014. It was devloped by the Japanese studio Aquaria based in Yokohama, and it was published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

PLOT

Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment takes place in an alternate timeline when compared to the source material. Picking up at the point where Kirito and Heathcliff are fighting at the end of the [Sword Art Online anime] a massive glitch in the game servers causes the fight to end abbruptly. It is at this point that Kirito and his party realize that they cannot log out, and that the corruption is taking over the last 25 floors of Aincrad.

As they progress towards the 76th Floor the world starts to experience a series of irregular events. Skills and items are all affected by the corruption, and environmental hazards such as earthquakes are unfolding around them. Eventually the party gets word from Yui that the [Cardinal Sysem] has also been corrupted, meaning that she no longer has to fear being deleted at the end of the game.

As they ascend the final floors, the party are introduced to new mysterious characeters whom help and hinder their progress to reach the 100th floor. Once they overcome their challenges, Kirito faces off against Alberich in a dramatic battle.

There are multiple possible endings in the game, based upon which characters the player sides with before the final floor. Players will need to progress the story and complete all available side quests to give them the possibility to unlock each of the six reported endings available.

GAMEPLAY

Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment simulates a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMORPG) just like the source material. Despite looking like a classic MMO, the game is single-player and simply mimics the expected systems from an online connected world.

Players control Kirito while issuing simple commends 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 are made up from a selection of characters, all of which are unlocked as the story progresses or as side-quests are completed.

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

Their is a hub area called Arksophia, which is located on the 76th Floor. The player can purchase items, equipment and chat with other players, while also customizing their appearance. A number of optional side quests are also located in this area for the player to accept.

RECEPTION

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

Kotaku reviewed the game without a score, but in a generally favorable light for Sword Art Online fans. "When it comes down to it, Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment is a game for fans of Sword Art Online—be that the light novels or the anime. Everything in the game is built under 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 is 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.

MAJOR CHARACTERS FEATURED

[Kirito (Kirigaya Kazuto)]
[Asuna (Yuuki Asuna)]
[Yui (In-Game Daughter of Kirito and Asuna)]
[Agil (Andrew Gilbert Mills)]
[Klein (Tsuboi Ryoutarou)]
[Silica (Ayano Keiko)]
[Leafa (Kirigaya Suguha)]
[Lisbeth (Shinozaki Rika)]
[Sinon (Asada Shino)]
[Alberich (Sugou Nobuyuki)]
[Strea (new Character)]