While the game was announced for North America a few weeks ago, Bandai Namco Europe has also officially confirmed Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment for a European launch.

Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment will contain an HD version of the previous game in the franchise titled Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment, which was originally released in Japan for the PSP. The exciting game combo celebrates the two titles featured together for the first time ever.

Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is based off the light novel, manga and anime Sword Art Online and emulates the Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (VRMMORPG) gameplay from the Sword Art Online storyline. Multiplayer role playing gameplay will feature a pseudo Massively Multiplayer Online element so that players feel immersed in a massive virtual reality (VR) world.

Take on the role of Kirito, the main character of Sword Art Online, who has been locked into the VR world of Aincrad by the creator of the game along with thousands of other players, including popular characters from the original anime series. To escape the fantastical and dangerous world, players must explore and defeat the enemies contained within. Players will actively engage monsters and characters and experience aggressive battles with breathtaking attack actions, exhilarating combos and powerful burst attacks. Continuing to fight is essential when locked in the VR world – if players die in the fantasy world, their character will die in real life.

“Adding such a strong license to our portfolio in Europe and Australia is an honour for us. Fans were looking forward to enjoy this game, we listened to them.“ said Herve Hoerdt, Vice President of IP Strategy at BANDAI NAMCO Games Europe. “Our close collaboration with Sony allows us to release more and more niche games; Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is the result of this successful partnership!”