AI: The Somnium Files

This is my first visual novel game I've played (unless Sakura Wars counts?), and I've almost finished all the paths, and I'm trying to figure out what to play once I've done that. I've read some other posts here asking and one that I'm interested in checking out is Steins;Gate.

I've seen other suggestions besides Steins;Gate but they don't have VA. For me personally, I don't think I could get hooked the same way without voice acting for most of the game, English VA isn't a necessity but definitely would be a positive for suggestions.

Any good recommendations with VA through out the dialogue, English if possible? Switch ideally, but I would also be open to PS4&5 and Vita suggestions as well.

Edit: I appreciate all the suggestions and I'll be checking them all out! I can't say for sure what I'll play first after I wrap up somnium files but it sounds like I won't run out of games to play anytime soon.

Trailer:

Website:

The confirms Uchikoshi will be writing the scenario.

Synopsis:

Six years ago, the right half of a corpse was discovered under mysterious circumstances. The left half was never found...until six years later, when it was discovered completely fresh with no signs of decay, as though the victim was alive until just recently. Now, newly-appointed Special Agent Mizuki and her AI partner Aiba are tasked to solve the bizarre Half Body serial killings...

Game Information

Game Title: AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES nirvanA Intiative

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (Jun 24, 2022)

• PlayStation 5 (Jun 24, 2022)

• Nintendo Switch (Jun 24, 2022)

• PC (Jun 24, 2022)

• Xbox One (Jun 24, 2022)

• PlayStation 4 (Jun 24, 2022)

Trailers:

Developer: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.

Review Aggregator:

Critic Reviews

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So far we’re six months in 2022 and AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative is already at the top of my GOTY list for this year. The story is very funny, mysterious, and exciting, the gameplay is intuitive, there are a lot of things to look out for and unlock, and there’s a great balance of serious and immaturely pervy humour throughout. If you liked the first game, you’re going to love the sequel – although they aren’t related so prior knowledge isn’t required. My only disappointment is that there’s no current-gen version, the loading times and low-resolution visuals would have really benefited from it.

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AI: The Somnium Files was a unique game that blended a wacky sense of humor with a dark murder mystery and unexpected twists, making it a tough act to follow. Nevertheless, its sequel rises to the challenge. The scale and scope of Nirvana Initiative are different, but the story, humor, characters, and gameplay additions all come together to make it a sequel worthy of the name. If you enjoyed the first game, you’ll likely enjoy AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative as well.

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The cast in AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is full of interesting and fleshed out characters that you’ll care about. Everyone’s motivations are deftly defined and everyone gets a moment to shine. AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is as perfect as a visual novel can get and receives our highest recommendation. Even ignoring its engrossing story, the gameplay alone is novel and explores concepts rarely seen in games.

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AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative is an easy game of the year contender. The game features an improved presentation of animations, music, fantastic characters, and writing that left me in half reeling and desperate for more. The pacing throughout the mystery was stellar, and the build-up to the conclusion will keep you on your toes. If you’re into mystery, adventure games, or visual novels, this is the game to get.

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Spike Chunsoft has done it again with AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES nirvanA Initiative. They tell an incredible murder mystery that's a ton of fun to figure out, all while solving brain-bending puzzles and talking to a colorful cast of endearing characters. There are a lot of performance issues and bugs, but those are nitpicks compared to just the sheer joy of diving into people's minds to solve the case.

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AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is an exceptional follow up and a must-play title for all fans of visual novels and murder mysteries. If you've played Danganronpa, Zero Escape or the original AI you'll absolutely love the superb blend of engrossing storytelling and two-part detective and puzzle gameplay on offer here. Stellar character designs and quality voice work round out this amazing experience not to be missed.

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I’ve been an Uchikoshi fan for almost a decade at this point, and nirvanA Initiative might be his most singularly satisfying experience yet – blissfully complete and fully itself. In an age where more and more media feels homogenized into a singular paste, there is nothing else like it. Its personality is so strong that you’ll find it either utterly repulsive or intoxicatingly magnetic. There are parts I hate, but so much more that I love. And accepting it for its flaws and everything that makes me roll my eyes or grit my teeth, alongside its deeply, deeply affecting moments and enticingly endless web of a plot – that feels truly enlightening.

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AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative tells a satisfying tale with a great cast of characters, challenging puzzles, and a mystery that will keep players guessing with unique twists.

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All told, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES: nirvanA Initiative is a worthy sequel to the 2019 original. While some elements of the story don't always fit with the cast of characters, the core of the narrative keeps players invested throughout. The new somniums are very well designed in both pace and aesthetic, making them each feel unique. The additional hints and difficulty options are welcome, too, for those who want them. Virtual Reality sequences do well to add to the gameplay outside of somniums themselves, providing some great variety. This science fiction mystery thriller is certainly worth a look for fans of Zero Escape and visual novels in general.

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AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is an immersive mystery-adventure that never ceased to surprise. A well-executed mystery, a host of laughter-inducing moments, and a memorable cast of characters make this game a must-buy for fans of the genre. It's strongly recommended to play the original game, AI: The Somnium Files.

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AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES- nirvanA Initiative is an amazing point-and-click adventure and an even better murder mystery. I truly believe that it belongs on the shelves of most gamers, but I really am mad about that one puzzle. Also, 9 is a really funny score if you've played the game.

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The original Somnium Files was a delight in every way and Nirvana Initiative follows that up without missing a beat.

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AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative isn’t a perfect game, but it offers one of the best mysteries I’ve ever seen in a game. Combine that with a wonderful cast and somnium sequences that blow away the original game, and you have a visual novel that is a must-play for anyone interested in the genre. AI: The Somnium Files was minor Uchikosi, but nirvanA Initiative stands among his best work.

- - Portuguese -

AI: The Somnium Files - NirvanA Initiative is an excellent new entry in Switch's adventure games library and a sequence that's exactly what one should expect from a title written by Uchikoshi. Though there are some inconsistencies in the plot and clear over-the-top circumstances, the high quality is undeniable, going even deeper into the possibilities its predecessor hinted at.

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AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is one of the most interesting visual novels we've played through in a while. The murder mystery at its heart is brought to life by some great writing and quirky characters alongside the satisfyingly integrated, beautifully balanced Psync puzzle elements. Even with some minor control issues, there is a lot to love in this game even if you never picked up the original. Highly recommended if you're even a little bit curious.

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Not quite as good as its predecessor in some ways and notably better in others, AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is a must-play for fans anime-styled narrative games.

- - Portuguese -

AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is yet another huge hit from Kotaro Uchikoshi. The plot captivates you from the beginning, leaving you practically unable to let go by the constant desire to know what else is coming. That's thanks to the captivating mystery and well-written characters that make even the little glitches in the exploration parts go unnoticed.

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Just like its predecessor, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is full of heart, hilariously self-aware, and reflective on the style of writing that built the foundation that built the Somnium Files series. Both AI games are deeply personal, subversive, and reflective works, some of my favorite games in the genre. Now that we have one miracle sequel that ended up great, I could go for another one in a few years.

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While anyone who enjoys mystery games, visual novels, or the often bizarre story-telling quirks of Spike Chunsoft games will find a lot to love in AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative, it's really a game that shouldn't be missed by anyone. A combination of maddening puzzles with satisfying solutions, a story that is as weird as it is excellent, and characters who make memorable impressions sees nirvanA Initiative establish itself as a worthy sequel to one of the better sleeper hits of the past several years. AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative works very hard to keep your eyes focused on it at all times, and the reward is a rollercoaster ride that's superb from start to finish.

- - Italian -

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative stands as one of the new top exponents of the genre. Although not perfect, it undoubtedly stands out among the top works of Kotaro Uchikoshi and Team Zero Escape, but more importantly a first concrete attempt to modernize and open up a genre to the general public, fully successful.

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Ultimately, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is a detective story that needs to be experienced. If you’re a fan of Japanese mystery games such as the Zero Escape series or the Danganronpa games (by the same developer/publisher), Nirvana Initiative is definitely something you shouldn’t pass up. The only thing better is that if you haven’t experienced the first game in the series, you get to go back and experience another terrific detective tale.

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AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES nirvanA Initiative is one of my favorite games to release this year. With a mixture of wit, humor, and above all else heart it is something no one should miss. Whether a fan of the Visual Novel genre or not this game is a damn near perfect follow-up to the original.

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With added quality of life features and improved pacing, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative is an impressive follow up to an underrated gem and one that should be on the radar of anyone who appreciates compelling stories in their video games.

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AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is a worthy sequel with a gripping story and an expanded cast of loveable characters. Plus, the new re-enactment mode adds an extra layer of gameplay to help keep things fresh and interesting but it still suffers from a lack of a hint system that can make progressing through the otherwise intriguing story occasionally feel like a chore.

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Overall, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative is a superior game compared to its predecessor in almost every aspect. While some of the puzzle segments are a bit long-winded and can be quite complicated, the experiences they provide alone are incredibly worth it, and the characters make the game so fun to play. Additionally, as the game has different routes, some mysteries and twists are intense and can be incredibly unexpected. As a result, I can't help but recommend the game to anyone looking for a refreshing murder mystery game that will both challenge and shock them, and to visual novel fans in general especially as the game can be experienced by new and returning players.

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Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.

- - Portuguese -

AI: The Somnium Files: NirvanA Initiative is a respectable sequel, capable of being enjoyed by those who haven't played the first title and highly recommended for science fiction or detective story enthusiasts, fans of Japanese animation or for those who appreciate all these themes at the same time.

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nirvanA Initiative combines the best of AI: The Somnium Files’s presentation with the sharpest puzzles and best writing across Team Zero Escape’s catalogue.

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All in all, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is another complex and twisting murder mystery with a strong cyberpunk flavor. If you crave bizarre philosophies, high-tech conspiracies, and mind-bending puzzles, add this game to your list. Just make you aren’t photosensitive first.

- Chinese -

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES nirvanA Intiative is a continuation of the Yue style and one of the best word games of the year.

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Come for the mystery, stay for the characters in this baggy but compelling visual novel sequel.

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AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative can throw a lot of information at you, and it will take some time to digest the tutorials and the events of the game. But once you manage to find your footing, you will be investigating an intriguing mystery that crosses different timelines with powerful tools. It’s a story that requires patience, understanding, and some outside-the-box thinking, but it pays off with a fantastic resolution when you reach the real conclusion.

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AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is another fascinating Kotaro Uchikoshi game that builds on the original's foundation.

- - Italian -

While it's not Uchikoshi at its best, Ai The Somnium Files The Nirvana Initiative is still a Uchikoshi game, and, as such, it's a well written adventure/visual novel, with quirky characters and a plot with some twist and turns.

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A second series of serial killings is fair game in AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative, a title focused around the established world of the prior game with newcomers that are just as hungry for the truth as Kaname Date once was.

- - Spanish -

A remarkable plot and story, a chaotic world and a great mystery to be solved in two different eras, a perfect summary of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative.

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While AI: The Somium Files - nirvanA Initiative might be minor Uchikoshi, it's still Uchikoshi, which makes it worth experiencing for most fans.

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I didn't mention it during the original game's review, but a good portion of its playtime was while waiting for power to return after my hometown got clobbered by the remnants of a hurricane; this time, the worst it got was some pretty heavy thunderstorms. And just as the weather wasn't as extreme this time, nirvanA Initiative gets close to the levels of the original but just falls slightly short.

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While nirvanA Initiative doesn’t stray too far from the formula established in the original, the gritty sci-fi story and likeable characters mean that it is a compelling adventure. Piecing together all the threads of the story will lead you on a rollercoaster of a journey and keep you guessing until the very end.

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AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative boasts a compelling story, along with some great plot twists that caught me completely off guard. Its investigations are intriguing, and its Somnium dungeons are both colorful and foreboding. Nirvana Initiative is an incredibly eccentric game, bursting with vibrant characters, mind-bending puzzles, and an abundance of strange sci-fi detours. And once it builds momentum, it doesn’t let up. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say I love it.

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While its ultimate resolution is not quite as satisfying as its brethren, the way it uses its cast, some higher-minded concepts, and the player themselves makes for another highly absorbing title across its twenty-plus hours.

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As we said up top, there is a good mystery story at the core here, even if its complications aren’t quite as compelling as those of the first game’s. (And if you have a taste for the meta, Uchikoshi has you covered, as always.) And those Somnium sequences really are a major step up from the original. But if Uchikoshi’s work has always involved digging through the less savory or interesting elements to get to the treasure buried underneath, then Nirvana Initiative may be the biggest such pile of his career.

Please mark spoilers accordingly.

Just bought it during the past sale and well, I am surprised how good this game is.

The game is like a mix of visual novel + puzzle solving action sequences with a heavy anime style (it even has Japanese voice acting, which is excellent as well).

The story has multiple branches, and the "Somnium" thing reminds me of Inception at a times.

The game itself, especially with auto-dialog on, feels like watching an anime, interactive at that, which is just a plus to me.

So far, I would have payed full price without even thinking about it, I don't know why or how I missed this game the past.

If you like anime, or are interested on it, and want to play a graphic novel of sorts, with elements of sci-fi on it, I am pretty sure you'll like this game.

And for the discussion: what other games like this are on switch?

Have fun!

I pretty much binged the first and second games over the course of 2 weeks. I’ve heard there’s a third game on the way but I bet it isn’t coming out for a while. In the meantime, what should I play if I like this series?

- US$7.99(80% off)

- US$23.99 (60% off)

Is there any information about a 3rd Game?

- $7.99 (80% off)

- $29.50 (51% off)