NPC Companions

Echoes of Aincrad is a single-player game, but the player never fights alone. From early in the campaign, an NPC companion is always at the hero's side, contributing damage and participating in the combat system's team-up attacks.

Role in Combat

The companion is what turns a successful Parry Slash or Dodge Slash from a counter-attack into a paired strike. They also participate in Reversal Slash when the player reads an enemy opening correctly.

Bonds

Each companion has their own set of skills and their own synergies. Bandai Namco has described the relationship as a bond that deepens over the course of the campaign, unlocking stronger team abilities as the player and companion fight together.