The notorious mobile game Sword Art Online Variant Showdown is back online after a year of maintenance. Originally released in 2022, the game was plagued with bugs and glitches, leading to its shutdown in September 2023. Now, Bandai Namco has relaunched the title with a new trailer, promising a revamped experience for players. The relaunch includes a new power-up system, additional game modes, new playable characters, interface improvements, and in-game voice acting.
Variant Showdown is a third-person action RPG based on the popular Sword Art Online anime and novels. The story follows Kirito and his friends as they delve into a new VR game called Cross Edge. They investigate rumors surrounding the game, including memory loss among players and a potential link to the infamous Laughing Coffin guild. The relaunched version introduces new playable characters Mito and Agil, along with a three-player cooperative multiplayer mode, enabling players to team up and execute unique character combos.
Variant Showdown‘s previous iteration was heavily criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, despite the Sword Art Online franchise’s natural fit with the gaming world. The game promised a faithful adaptation with show-accurate graphics, but fell short, delivering a barebones experience riddled with technical issues.
A-1 Pictures
From Bug-Ridden to Revamped: A Second Chance for Variant Showdown?
The original Variant Showdown gameplay primarily involved sidestepping attacks and stationary combat, with each character possessing unique skills. While the core mechanics weren’t groundbreaking, the pervasive bugs severely hampered the experience, earning the game a negative reputation among SAO fans and mobile gamers. Issues ranged from being trapped on the title screen and camera clipping to poor performance and a frustrating gacha system that incentivized grinding or in-app purchases. Multiple emergency maintenance periods were necessary before the eventual year-long hiatus in 2023.
The relaunch aims to address these shortcomings. Bandai Namco has implemented significant changes, including a revamped UI and improved presentation, suggesting a more polished experience. The addition of new characters, game modes, and a cooperative multiplayer option could significantly enhance gameplay.
New Features and Improvements in the Relaunched Version
Key additions and improvements in the relaunched Sword Art Online Variant Showdown include:
- New Power-Up System: Details about this system remain scarce, but it promises to offer new ways to enhance characters and their abilities.
- Additional Game Modes: The introduction of a three-player cooperative mode is a significant addition, allowing for team-based gameplay and strategic combo execution.
- New Playable Characters: Mito and Agil join the roster, expanding the character selection and offering more diverse playstyles.
- Interface Improvements: A redesigned UI aims to improve navigation and overall user experience.
- In-Game Voice Acting: The inclusion of voice acting adds another layer of immersion to the game.
Will the Relaunch Redeem Variant Showdown?
While the initial release of Sword Art Online Variant Showdown was met with disappointment, the relaunch offers a glimmer of hope. The extensive maintenance period and the promised improvements suggest a commitment to addressing the game’s initial flaws. However, only time will tell if these changes are enough to win back players and deliver the authentic SAO experience fans have been waiting for. The inclusion of new content and features like the cooperative multiplayer mode and expanded character roster certainly adds to the game’s potential. Players can now experience Variant Showdown with renewed optimism, hoping that the relaunched version lives up to its potential and delivers a polished and enjoyable gaming experience.
