Sword Art Online: Last Recollection - Ritual of Bonds Volume 1 DLC releases worldwide on January 25
Bandai Namco has announced that the Ritual of Bonds Volume 1 DLC for Sword Art Online: Last Recollection will be available worldwide on January 25. This DLC set will add a new dungeon, as well as special cutscenes and costumes for specific heroines.
Content from this DLC will be accessible after the player has cleared Chapter 8 of the base game's main story. The player will have Kirito choose an eligible character who is also in the party as a partner to tackle the new dungeon. The partner will then provide hints and assists necessary to get through the dungeon's gimmicks and bosses.
The DLC scenario will also include Bed Talk cutscenes that have been a staple of the game series. By clearing the scenario with a certain heroine, you will be able to unlock a special dress outfit for her. Kirito can also obtain a matching outfit (read: tuxedo) by clearing the game's epilogue.
The nine heroines who will be featured in this DLC pack are as follows:
- Asuna
- Strea
- Philia
- Sinon
- Silica
- Lisbeth
- Dorothy
- Premiere
- Tia
As the title suggests, a Volume 2 is also bound to appear after this set. The Japanese website does have a page listing the characters set to be featured in the eventual pack. One of the most notable picks here is the inclusion of Eugeo as an eligible 'male heroine'. The list also includes Alice and the Fatal Bullet heroines Kureha and Zeliska. Leafa, Yuuki, Rain, Medina, and Seven will wrap up the roster.
An actual release date for Volume 2 has yet to be confirmed, but Bandai Namco has suggested that it should be out within 2024 before December 31. Those who have purchased the game's Premiere Pass will be able to get each DLC volume as soon as they are released. The base Last Recollection game has been available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.
In Ritual of Bonds Volume 1, players will join Kirito alongside the legendary heroines of SWORD ART ONLINE - Asuna, Lisbeth, Silica, Sinon and many others as they embark on another adventure. While investigating a dungeon that suddenly appeared under the Obsidia Castle Town, Kirito and his friends face a new trial which can only be challenged in pairs. Experience the heartful journey of Kirito and his partner facing the Ritual of Bonds hand in hand in this new DLC.