How many floors are in Echoes of Aincrad? Fans expected a massive 100-floor tower just like the original anime and light novels. But to our disappointment, Game Studio Inc.’s new action RPG, published by Bandai Namco, focuses specifically on the first and second floors. Why did the developers cut the rest of the iconic castle? Read the guide below to see exactly how the map works and what content to expect.
What You’ll Read:
How Many Floors Are in Echoes of Aincrad
There are exactly two floors in Echoes of Aincrad. The game limits the entire map to just the first and second levels. You expected 100 floors? So did I. So why did they cut the other 98 floors? Producer Yosuke Futami stated that building the full tower is impossible.
It took the team four years just to finish these two maps since 2021. The surface area is simply too massive. Futami said each floor spans roughly 10 square kilometers on its own, and recreating all 100 floors at that scale would take 10 years of development time.
While I am disappointed and annoyed as you are, his explanation makes sense. At least the game gives you a way to make those two floors actually hurt: Death Game Mode. If you die in Death Game mode, your save is gone for good, just like the real deal! It’s optional, and Deluxe/Ultimate Edition buyers get to unlock it from day one instead of waiting to beat the story first.
But it is like the George R. R. Martin scenario all over again. Why would you start a project so massive that you have to butcher it just to finish it?! Anyway, let’s see what we get in these two floors to see if it’s still worth the $70.
What is Included in Floors 1 and 2?
The developers pulled heavily from the Sword Art Online Progressive series to build these maps. You’ll also be teaming up with Iori, an experienced solo player who takes new arrivals like you under her wing early on. Make sure to save your progress as you move along the floors. Here is exactly what you get in the base game.
Floor 1 Breakdown
- Geography: You explore grasslands, deep forests, a lake region, and mountainous ruins.
- Major Settlements: The map features the Town of Beginnings and Tolbana. These are the largest and second-largest towns in Aincrad.
- The Labyrinth: A massive tower sits at the northern edge of the map. You have to clear several levels just to reach the boss room.
- Key Locations: You can visit Horunka Village and possibly Medai Village and Black Iron Palace.
Floor 2 Breakdown
- Geography: This level shifts to a savanna realm. The environment is full of grasslands, plateaus, and rocky terrain with small caves.
- Major Settlement: The main hub is Urbus. This city is built straight into a mountain crater.
- Key Features: You fight ox and buffalo-type monsters here.
Are More Floors Coming via DLC or Sequels?
The Deluxe and Ultimate editions of the game include an “Expansion DLC” pass. Bandai Namco hasn’t confirmed what’s actually inside it yet, so don’t get your hopes up for a Floor 3 reveal just because the pass exists.
Some sources list a placeholder DLC date for December 31, 2026. That’s a long time to add another floor, right? Well, we don’t know, but let’s hope so. Big sales could mean we could get full sequels that explore the higher levels of Aincrad. Then again, it could also mean much ado about nothing.
How Echoes of Aincrad Compares to Previous SAO Titles
Here is how each game title differs from the previous ones:
| Game Title | Floor Count / Scope |
| SAO: Echoes of Aincrad | Focuses strictly on Floors 1 and 2 with deep content. |
| SAO: Integral Factor | Features all 100 floors of the tower in a mobile gacha format. |
| SAO: Hollow Fragment | Allows players to explore and clear Floors 76 through 100. |
| SAO: Fractured Daydream | You play as 21 characters in massive 20-player raids, though the missions get repetitive fast. |
And that’s all you need to know about the Echoes of Aincrad floors. If you have more questions, write them in the comments.
FAQ
How many floors are in SAO: Echoes of Aincrad?
The base game includes exactly two floors. You can only explore the first and second levels of the floating castle.
Why are there only two floors in the game?
Each floor features a massive scale of roughly 10 square kilometers. The developers spent four years building just the first two maps. Recreating all 100 floors would take an estimated 10 years of development time.
What is the story length of Echoes of Aincrad?
The main campaign takes about 30 hours to complete. Completing all the side content adds an extra 20 hours of playtime.
