Kotaro Uchikoshi’s reputation precedes him. You usually know if he’s in a game it’s going to be a thought-provoking experience with twists and turns. Are from Zero Escape series to SuddenlyHis works will surprise you. AI: Somnium files proved it to be no different, with the plot of Cyclops Serial Killings, AI replacing a person’s real eye and exploring dream scenes. The current AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . Initiative is here with another case. And this time, players are witnessing the investigation from two sides.
When Mizuki Date was 12 years old, she and Ryuki Kurato were both participating in a quiz show. At a time, the light when turned off. When they returned, the body of Jin Furue, a well-known tech executive, was there with a sign that included a QR code linking to a strange video and “Fray to Free!” message on it. However, only half of his body appeared. Six years later, 18-year-old Mizuki is recruited into ABIS due to his potential to become a Psyncer. Someone lured her to the stadium via text message. There, the other half of Furue’s body appeared. However, even though it appeared after six years, that body’s time of death was apparently nine hours ago. The key to figuring out what’s going on is working with Ryuki. However, the past investigation has left him in a drunken state. Mizuki must investigate Bust’s murders in the present to find Tearer, and at the same time find out what the mentally broken Ryuki has learned from his investigations in the past.
First of all, I will say that context is important in AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . Initiative. In the intro it clearly states that you can play the game without going through AI Somnium files. It’s too true. However, as someone who’s played both, I feel like it relies heavily on knowing who these characters are, which will damage players if they don’t experience the original. (Also, the first game is amazing and a must-try.) I felt it was really beneficial to have that background with Mizuki, Kaname and Aiba.
But yes, without that context, you will still have a good time. AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . Initiative is the kind of game that can be serious and silly. It’s well-written and localized, with traits that make Mizuki, Ryuki, Aiba, and Tama charming and cute. The different technology concepts are fascinating. Just like other worldly experiences of discovering soybeans. It can feel delightfully supernatural at times, even though you know there’s a technological underpinning for elements like AI-Balls that replace people’s eyeballs. Not to mention some of the nitty-gritty things that might really surprise you, and the visual novel elements mean choosing answers or even providing “information” you learned in a different route to forward.
While AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . Initiative is an adventure game, the gameplay varies depending on the character’s position. You can ask the people around you to learn more about this case. Some segments involve recreating a crime to better understand what happened. Psync puts you in a somnium. While there, Aiba or Tama will explore a space and need to get past Mental Locks. However, you only have six minutes and each action will take up a little of your time. The difficulty settings let you define how challenging the investigative QTE and somnium sections are, allowing for things like a more forgiving time limit.
As beforeI think the somnium parts are a number AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . InitiativeThe most interesting. Since this is essentially a dream world, the usual logic doesn’t apply. For example, getting through a Spirit Lock early means dealing with some fires. Instead of exhaling to blow out, the answer is to inhale. I love seeing the causal parts here. Neither investigations, which may involve things like zooming in on areas or using X-ray vision, were also included. There’s just a level of thought and complexity here that I appreciate more.
While I appreciate what is being done, in some ways I feel AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . Initiative a little less ambitious than the original. This is a great game. It’s 100% worth your time. Uchikoshi fans will be delighted. Seeing the sides of Mizuki and Ryuki was like being enlightened. But it’s not as open as it was originally and there won’t be many possible paths to wander. The execution and twist are very attractive. It could just be that I was spoiled and handled things too well at first.
AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . Initiativealike AI: Somnium files, is simply an amazing adventure. Its plot is engaging and I love the way it handles investigations. It is absolutely a worthy successor, although I highly recommend everyone to play both games.
AI: Somnium Files – NirvanA . Initiative will come to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on June 24, 2022 in North America, and July 8, 2022 in Europe.
