AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 104
  3. Negative: 12 out of 104

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  1. GERTHOM
    Jul 4, 2022
    9
    Complete improvement over the first game, in every way. Both of the dual-protagonists were great to hang around with, and Mizuki remains one of my favorite characters that Uchikoshi has written.

    I was happy to see that the action sequences were not as silly as in the first game. The Somnium (puzzle sections) were better designed and were a lot more logical. The actual mystery itself was    Complete improvement over the first game, in every way. Both of the dual-protagonists were great to hang around with, and Mizuki remains one of my favorite characters that Uchikoshi has written.

    I was happy to see that the action sequences were not as silly as in the first game. The Somnium (puzzle sections) were better designed and were a lot more logical. The actual mystery itself was compelling and the characters and voice acting were excellent.

    Not much else to say; out of all the works by this writer, this one comes close to being my favorite. If you like murder mysteries, anime, or learning a ridiculous amount of weird trivia, this game is for you.    … Expand
  2. xelphatol
    Jul 5, 2022
    9
    I really love this game and series and hope we get a continuation! I recommend playing this game after the first in the series if you're new to it, as they're both really great and this one builds upon the first a bit. (You can optionally play this without spoilers from the first, but they're best played in order in my opinion.)

    Though I think the first game holds up better as a murder    I really love this game and series and hope we get a continuation! I recommend playing this game after the first in the series if you're new to it, as they're both really great and this one builds upon the first a bit. (You can optionally play this without spoilers from the first, but they're best played in order in my opinion.)

    Though I think the first game holds up better as a murder mystery, the characters and worlds in this one were some of the most fun I've had in ages. Nirvana Initiative also has a new portrait system and animations that make it look great visually (Yusuke Kozaki also did the character design for this series, which you might recognize from Fire Emblem). I had so much fun here and hope to see more of Mizuki, Ryuki, and the rest of the cast in the future.    … Expand
  3. lovelykohai
    Jul 5, 2022
    9
    Fantastic story experience with heart-wrenching character arcs, very interesting twists and puzzles which are objective upgrades from the original game
    I beat this game a week ago and cannot stop thinking about it.
    The plot is very good, falls short of being as good as the first in my opinion, however the first game was so good its a very difficult legacy to live up to and the game makes    Fantastic story experience with heart-wrenching character arcs, very interesting twists and puzzles which are objective upgrades from the original game
    I beat this game a week ago and cannot stop thinking about it.
    The plot is very good, falls short of being as good as the first in my opinion, however the first game was so good its a very difficult legacy to live up to and the game makes up for it in other ways (i.e being less cringe and being more involved gameplay wise)    … Expand
  4. mimzy630
    Jun 25, 2022
    10
    Part 1: Recommendations for You
    If you're like me and you try to get all the extra scene dialogue, then please, if you take nothing else from this, give yourself time to play this game yourself. There is actually so much content here, I really want you all to take your time to experience it as you go. The game is just too long to binge in a reasonably short amount of time, and if you do    Part 1: Recommendations for You
    If you're like me and you try to get all the extra scene dialogue, then please, if you take nothing else from this, give yourself time to play this game yourself. There is actually so much content here, I really want you all to take your time to experience it as you go. The game is just too long to binge in a reasonably short amount of time, and if you do binge, you're going to lose a lot.

    My recommendations:
    1. Give yourself time to play the game. Let it sink in, and take notes- it'll be rewarded. The game is literally too dense and too long to binge reasonably if you like 100%ing.

    2. Get invested in the characters and pay attention to them, not just the (admittedly stellar) mysteries.

    3. Explore the game, its mechanics, and its dialogue yourself. Don't be afraid to restart a Somnium several times; the more options you pick, the more meaningful information you get.

    4. If you're a puzzle lover then try to solve the game yourself. You're going to have a blast if you manage it, and the game has tons of built-in hint systems to make it even easier, fairer, and more fun.

    5. Try to go in knowing at little as you can. The marketing has already done a great job. Focus on finishing the game and bringing it all together.

    6. On PC, force anti-aliasing on using your graphics card to make the game prettier. Game ran and controlled smoothly with few bugs.

    7. You don't need AI1 to play AI2, but I think AI2 does spoil AI1, though you could still enjoy them in reverse order.

    7. If you're sensitive to horny then just read less background dialogue in Ryuki side. Gore is pretty toned down, and there isn't any single huge CW.

    You can stop reading now if you don't want your playthrough tainted by my reactions/expectations effected.

    Part 2: Who am I, and how do I play?
    I'm an Uchikoshi fanatic. I've played all his English-translated games, and visual novels are my favorite genre of game. I've played a lot of visuals novels, but Uchizawa's are my favorites. This is what I value in games:

    A. An interesting story
    B. Bunches of novel ideas like unique plot points I haven't seen before, philosophical ideas, or puzzles
    C. Characters that I at least don't actively hate
    D. Deep personal connection, usually formed by connections to real people or how a game shaped my life

    For the last 8 years, my top 2 favorite games have been the same:

    My top favorite game of all time is Remember11. I love the plot, the ideas, the twists, the characters, and it's what got me truly invested in Uchikoshi. It's very much a mystery game first with an unravelling mystery and themes I love to explore. My second favorite game is Virtue's Last Reward. I love the interactive moral dilemmas. VLR's use of the Prisoner's Dilemma jumpstarted my interested in Philosophy which led me to major in Philosophy. I don't like the characters as much, but it's still very important to me.

    Part 3: My Review
    The R11 #1 and VLR #2 favorite game holy duology held true for 8 years. Also, AI1 isn't one of my favorite standalone games; it has huge personal connection for me because of the community and the AI1 ARG, but it wasn't my favorite as a game.

    I gave all that background because I want you to take me seriously when I say this:
    AI2 is my new favorite game. The #1 spot has been Easily dethroned.

    The themes, twists, characters, ideas, gameplay, visuals, voice acting, fair mystery, presentation, mechanics, and comedy all of it resonates together perfectly. I don't even tend to value gameplay or visuals, but at many times, this game is fun to play while looking genuinely beautiful and cinematic.

    The story reads like a proper Uchikoshi + Nakazawa return to form. The mystery is fair, interesting, meaningful, and complex told satisfyingly. There are many deep ideas, concepts, and themes utilized in thought-provoking ways.


    Gameplay-wise, there are tons of mechanics that are utilized to make each Somnium unique; they all feel designed by love, fair, and reflective of the character through gorgeous symbolism. They blow the first game completely out of the water. Each one is its own experience to explore and a visual delight. There are also tons of mechanics for you to discover that make AI2 a fun game to play.

    The animations, voices, and directing are cinematic; this game is actually breathtaking a lot of the time. It's backed up by great and charming character writing- despite the fact Mizuki is my favorite AI1 character with 0 contest, I grew to like much of the AI2 cast the same amount.

    AI2 is a story about halves and splitting, but also love and coming together- please, see it through until it's whole. I hope and believe you will all fall in love with AI2 like me; AI2 is all I've ever wanted. AI2 is my dream game come true; it's a gorgeous love letter to all Uchikoshi fans who love Zero Escape's puzzles, Infinity's mysteries, and AI's characters and humor.    … Expand
  5. PK_Gaming
    Jul 4, 2022
    10
    Uchikoshi and his team have crafted one of the most beautiful, touching and heartwarming experiences in gaming. A story about how other people complete us, how we can keep going despite hardship, and how love and hope triumphs over overwhelming nihilism and despair. I loved this game with all my heart

    Total tour the force. Also the action segments were excellent as well.
  6. melodii
    Jul 5, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. With a twist that will keep you thinking for weeks after, and a catchy song you won’t be able to stop humming, AI the Somnium Files: nirvanA Initiative is one of the most fun mystery games I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Hats off to Zero Escape team for delivering a game full of great characters I didn’t know just how much I’d enjoy (or hate!). A few minor flaws include back seating most of the returning cast and with possibly skeezy relationship set-ups during Ryuki route, but not too much to the game’s detriment. A must play for anyone who’s played any of Uchikoshi’s other games, or those who love puzzles/escape rooms/mysteries!… Expand
  7. NegativeNac
    Jul 4, 2022
    9
    I've tried to keep this as spoiler free as I can but there are still medium spoilers for AI1 and AI2. In case you're still worried about those and want a TL;DR just know that yes, this game is worth it whether you're new to AI or the visual novel/mystery genre as a whole or whether you're a super big fan of these kinds of works.

    nirvanA Initiative (which i will refer to as AINI) has    I've tried to keep this as spoiler free as I can but there are still medium spoilers for AI1 and AI2. In case you're still worried about those and want a TL;DR just know that yes, this game is worth it whether you're new to AI or the visual novel/mystery genre as a whole or whether you're a super big fan of these kinds of works.

    nirvanA Initiative (which i will refer to as AINI) has quickly become one of my favourite works from Uchikoshi and among my favourite mystery visual novels of all time. I adored the first game and think that was probably my favourite VN of all time, and I'm glad to say I also believe this ones nearly as good.

    AINI contains really unique puzzles, great locations, amazingly written characters and some really entertaining and fluid action sequences. The presentation and soundtrack are really good and the English voice cast was phenomenal. As a huge Fire Emblem fan, Kozaki Yusuke's spectacular character design was the reason I tried the first game and it has only gotten better for the sequel.

    I loved the first AI game for how personal and close its story felt. This story definitely goes more grand and ambitious, while I still think AINI was really good, I still enjoyed the first game's story slightly more.

    Ryuki and Tama are amazing main characters, I did not expect to like them but they were really funny and entertaining. Mizuki and Aiba are of course as fun as ever. Tokiko and the Masked Woman we're two of my favourite new characters, but this entire cast is really fun.

    The only things holding this game back for me was a lack of interest in the main villain, after AI1's amazing villain, Tearer was a bit of a let down, Uchikoshi's villains have always been some of my favourite characters in his works (999, VLR and AI1's main killers in particular) and I wish we got a cool interrogation scene with them where the mystery came together. I also didn't like the twist revealed at the end of Mizuki Chapter 1 - End Where I Begun. Without getting into major spoilers I feel it invalidates the ending of Mizuki Route in AI1. I also wish it was addressed how the Psync in Mizuki Chapter 4 happens, it felt like a plot hole.

    These are minor complaints however, and combined are less than 30 minutes of a fantastic 30 hour game. Hats off to Head Writer Kotaro Uchikoshi, Directors Akira Okada and Kazuya Yamada, Lead Artist Kozaki Yusuke, Composer Keisuke Ito, English Producer Alex Flagg and all the "shy staff who wont give Uchikoshi their Twitter account" for making another incredibly moving game.

    Though I prefer the first game's story more, AINI is not far behind and is still by far the better video game with its vastly improved animation quality and somnium puzzles. I can't wait to see what Uchikoshi and his team produce with a potential AI3. This has quickly become one of my favourite series since I played the first game in October 2021 and I implore you to check it out so we can see more from this team because they're so incredibly talented.    … Expand
  8. fraxle
    Jul 5, 2022
    10
    a worthy successor to a great game, love the direction this takes and fleshes out the world of Ai that much more
  9. skullman18
    Jul 4, 2022
    10
    Great game. Don't want to put any spoilers, but Uchikoshi knocked out of the park with the story and the twists
  10. BunnyBarbarian
    Jul 4, 2022
    10
    Ai: The Somnium Files-nirvanA Initiative is my new favorite game
    If you enjoy Uchikoshi games you will love this game, simple as that.
  11. CWIllustration
    Jul 4, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Overall, it's more of the first game, which I loved, so I had such a great time playing this one.
    Gameplay and Quality of Life improvements to gameplay and somnium sections made fully 100% the game much easier and worth the effort; letting me go back and forth to any scene I wanted to revisit was a great touch, especially as someone who loves replaying with the knowledge of the twist and ending.

    Uchikoshi games always have the perfect mix of comedy, thriller, mystery, sci-fi, and more. The strongest part of this game, like the last, is the cast and their relationships.

    My gripes with the game come with some of the retcons of plots in the first game, while I loved Mizuki in this game, I felt rewriting the situation with her parents left most player confused, as the message of her situation in the first game, with uncapable and abusive birth parents and finding a home with family not bound by blood, really was one of the strongest plots of the first game.
    To completely write out Renju and Shoko from the sequel where she was a protagonist was a missed opportunity, and the plot could've benefited with any explanation after Mizuki brings up her mother's words of "I wish you were never born" instead of just leaving that hanging.

    With the other cast, the newcomers were charming, but I've grown tired of the Adult Man falls in love with girl who is barely 18. It was uncomfortable with Ota and Iris, and adding two more didn't help, even if I found Lien and Gen to be very fun characters.
    The best romance in this series was for sure Hitomi and Date in the first game, and I can never forget Renju and Pewter for the little moments they got. I hope for future installments we get to see more adult centric romances, because they have always been written great and compelling. (I also did very much enjoy a certain newcomers crush on our previous protagonist.)

    Uchikoshi's addition of casual LGBTQIA+ characters and themes always makes players happy and welcomed, and I hope we can get a more centric romance like this.

    That was mostly it for my issues, some plot things, but overall they did not diminish my experience of the game.
    Ryuki and Tama were fantastic new characters, the struggles Ryuki went through mentally made him compelling, and I couldn't help be theorize way too much about him and his brother and family. I hope the reason we didn't get to hear much about them is for future plans. The Twin felt like a real red herring in the end! And I was even writing down the time on the broken watch.
    I'd love to hear about Ryuki, his brother, and his background if he ever returns, also his brothers name! And how did they grow up if his parents passed when they were both still minors? I'm excited to learn more!

    Ending thoughs. Wonderful game, wonderful characters, I had quite a few story gripes, and wish we got to learn more about our new Detective, but nothing made me enjoy playing it less.

    Great game, I want nothing more then to get more! (Also maybe get to see Detective Date as Yagyu's body? Take off the mask!)    … Expand
  12. BYoSUke
    Jul 6, 2022
    10
    Holy **** **** that was great. I cant say much about the game cuz i want yall to go in blindly but my god what an amazing game
  13. robotortoise
    Jul 4, 2022
    10
    Boss should have been confirmed as canonically bisexual, but other than that, it was great. One of the twists didn't really amount to anything, but presentation was great and the concepts presented were fascinating.

    Voice acting and localization work and writing were snappy and funny as always. I wish Tama went inside of Date's moist, wet... eye hole, but other tham that I think it    Boss should have been confirmed as canonically bisexual, but other than that, it was great. One of the twists didn't really amount to anything, but presentation was great and the concepts presented were fascinating.

    Voice acting and localization work and writing were snappy and funny as always.

    I wish Tama went inside of Date's moist, wet... eye hole, but other tham that I think it filled all my desires.    … Expand
  14. sanosusuke123
    Aug 9, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really like the characterization of this game, the plot is also great, but unfortunately the last dance video is very fuzzy, I hope there will be a sequel.… Expand
  15. Speggle
    Jul 8, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really enjoyed this game, but not as much as the first one. It does have some great characters and an interesting plot, but that fact that the twist was only for the player to experience and not the actual characters wasn't what I was expecting, but was still quite the experience. It was very interesting however, and looking back on certain parts of the game that were part of the twist makes me understand why certain characters spoke and acted in a certain way, which had me very confused when I first played it. There is nothing bad about the twist, but compared to the first game, it was not as impactful to me personally and had zero impact to the actual characters in the game. I do highly recommend this game and the first game to anyone that enjoys visual novels or murder mystery games. Another great game from Uchikoshi and his team, great job … Expand
  16. Arkae
    Jul 5, 2022
    10
    Damn, but what a game. This game hasn't made me feel indifferent in the slightest, and I've been freaking out about what was going on or the Somnium improvements compared to the first game since the beginning. It has been a very good experience and a complete improvement on the first one, which was already in my Top 2 Uchikoshi games. Speaking of which, UCHIKOSHI WHAT THE **** This gameDamn, but what a game. This game hasn't made me feel indifferent in the slightest, and I've been freaking out about what was going on or the Somnium improvements compared to the first game since the beginning. It has been a very good experience and a complete improvement on the first one, which was already in my Top 2 Uchikoshi games. Speaking of which, UCHIKOSHI WHAT THE **** This game has been his craziest game, the story is tremendously good but it came out of a brutal joint night.

    Play it, and its prequel, and the Zero Escape saga.    … Expand
  17. kankanbur
    Jul 5, 2022
    8
    I played this game through and through, it's a very good improvement on the first game and I am in love with both of the protagonists, the somniums were a joy to complete and felt so personal to the characters getting scanned. The main twist was actually very well done in my opinion and made me play it once more to see the foreshadowings that I initially missed, this is a very well-craftedI played this game through and through, it's a very good improvement on the first game and I am in love with both of the protagonists, the somniums were a joy to complete and felt so personal to the characters getting scanned. The main twist was actually very well done in my opinion and made me play it once more to see the foreshadowings that I initially missed, this is a very well-crafted and written game, I'd recommend it in a heartbeat if you're a fan of visual novels with detailed plots!
    What makes me hesitant to give it a better score is that the game treats girls in a peculiar way...I get that the characters who get this treatment are 18 and up but it left a very sour taste in my mouth. As a woman myself these kinds of "jokes" just make me extremely uncomfortable, I wish the writers took a more sensitive approach when talking about teenage girls...    … Expand
  18. D-Man_AA
    Jul 5, 2022
    8
    My second favorite game by Kotaro Uchikoshi and his incredibly talented team. I initially thought there was no real reason to make a sequel after the events of the first game, but I'm glad I was proven wrong. Thank you for releasing this wonderful title.
  19. ZachSongZ
    Jul 5, 2022
    10
    Fantastic game with a gripping story and loveable characters. As a huge fan of the first game, this one had a lot to live up to, but I enjoyed it even more than the first by the end. If you're a fan of Uchikoshi games, or even just mystery games, I cannot recommend enough.
  20. Niipah
    Jul 6, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (Spoilers for AI1 and AI2)
    I was really excited for Nirvana Initiative after playing the first game, and overall I thought the game was great and a nice sequel to the first one. The writing, humor, and mystery were all entertaining and it was fun reading through the game again and seeing all the foreshadowing and details I missed the first time around after the twist was revealed. The variety of the new somniums and more puzzle-like gameplay was also a welcome addition compared to the more random somniums in AI1. Ryuki and Mizuki were also nice protagonists, especially Mizuki who was one of my favorite characters in the first game. The OST and both the Japanese and English voice acting were also very good.

    The main thing I somewhat disliked about this game would be the character interactions. They're still good overall, but they did feel lacking compared to the first game which was one of my favorite things about AI1. The relations between Ryuki & Tama and Mizuki & Aiba were good, but neither one had the same chemistry as Date & Aiba or Date & Mizuki for example. The banter, humor, and arguments that went on during investigations between those characters, as well as the emotional moments like the ones throughout Mizuki's route, where she learns how much Date cares for her, or Aiba's sacrifice and return at the end of the game were what made me love AI1 so much.

    In AI2, Ryuki and Mizuki's interactions with their partners, while still entertaining, did not have the same emotional impact in comparison. It also bothered me that some of the relations built up in the first game felt reset in this one. AI1's ending showing how much Date and Aiba care for each other, but then seeing Aiba have almost no reaction at all to seeing Date again after him being missing for 6 years was disappointing to say the least. Same goes for Mizuki who didn't react much to seeing Date again despite it supposedly being part of the reason she wanted to solve the case in the first place.

    Other than that and the plot twist requiring some suspension of disbelief regarding Mizuki and her twin, I had a good time with AI2 and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed AI1. I felt like the game would have benefited from being slightly longer to develop Ryuki, Mizuki, and Bibi a bit more however.    … Expand
  21. pDestiny_HeHeHe
    Jul 6, 2022
    9
    Id say this game is a bit less than the original, I dont think the ending hits just like AI The Somnium Files. But lord, this game is a ride. Its far more linear than the original, with info checks to make sure you know what needs knowing. Its so fun, Im excited for the future of this series
  22. davikr
    Jul 8, 2022
    10
    I played AI: The Somnium Files and had a blast! I just had to play AINi just after that, and much to my happiness, many quirks from the original have been dealt with - including animation quality, which truly shines now, UI and environment / character design. It has been a pleasure reading another Uchikoshi story.
  23. mialyra
    Jul 8, 2022
    10
    I absolutely adored this game as a follow up to the original title. It followed the standard UCHIKOSHI formula of creating an even more complex mystery for the sequel with more layers than the first, and then improved even more upon the puzzles in the first game by adding new mechanics and twists on old features. every story beat, character, and new twist was just as lovable and memorableI absolutely adored this game as a follow up to the original title. It followed the standard UCHIKOSHI formula of creating an even more complex mystery for the sequel with more layers than the first, and then improved even more upon the puzzles in the first game by adding new mechanics and twists on old features. every story beat, character, and new twist was just as lovable and memorable as the first game. All in all I am so glad I secured a deluxe edition, and will absolutely be revisiting these games many times in years to come. Can't wait to see more from Uchikoshi, as always, and I look forward to more escape game mysteries from the crowning champion.… Expand
  24. KittyBrutality
    Jul 11, 2022
    10
    Everything I wanted in a sequel and more! The first AI game I came to play during a chaotic part of my life, where I really didn't have any time, or any will to want to play games. I gave it a go, and I fell in love with it. It of course helped it's one of Kotaro Uchikoshi's works, and I already thoroughly enjoyed his Zero Escape trilogy.
    I've waited patiently for this sequel and it has    Everything I wanted in a sequel and more! The first AI game I came to play during a chaotic part of my life, where I really didn't have any time, or any will to want to play games. I gave it a go, and I fell in love with it. It of course helped it's one of Kotaro Uchikoshi's works, and I already thoroughly enjoyed his Zero Escape trilogy.
    I've waited patiently for this sequel and it has not disappointed! Uchikoshi's writing is outstanding, and completely defies logic at all times but his work has so much charm. I found myself enjoying this game even more than I already thought I could. Returning composer Keisuke Ito has improved on his initial outstanding soundtrack accompanying this game too, but still using some of the tracks from the original game so everything feels similar, yet so brand new. Gameplay: The puzzles in this game are just as enjoyable as in the first game. I replayed some of them more than the game expected of me because there's just so much to do, with reaching the main objective but also getting to see the goofy little jokes when you pick the wrong answer.
    Story: I tried to keep away from spoilers for the longest time, so I could go into this game blind. I'm glad I did, because nothing could have prepared me for this story. It's more insane than in the original, and I expect nothing less of Uchikoshi. From start to finish this was an amazing experience. I laughed, I cried and at several points I was on the edge of my seat. I cannot put into words what this man's work makes me feel, but this game is probably my Game Of The Year. Everyone who worked on it should be insanely proud of themselves for what they've created. If anyone is looking for a completely unique, absolutely insane mess of a game (in the best way!) please consider picking this up.    … Expand
  25. Omnster36
    Jul 18, 2022
    10
    I loved the first AI game, and this one was an excellent sequel for fans like me! Full voice acting in a 60 hour game is always such a treat, the whole cast did an excellent job and it and it allowed me to become even more attached to all the weird and wonderful characters. I found the somnium stages to be the one lacking part of the first AI game, I consider them improved in every way inI loved the first AI game, and this one was an excellent sequel for fans like me! Full voice acting in a 60 hour game is always such a treat, the whole cast did an excellent job and it and it allowed me to become even more attached to all the weird and wonderful characters. I found the somnium stages to be the one lacking part of the first AI game, I consider them improved in every way in this game and I can recommend you play it with no reservations. I absolutely cannot wait to see what this dev team create next!… Expand
  26. Huntr
    Aug 11, 2022
    10
    Refreshing story and gameplay, fun, captivating, and the usual touch of Uchikoshi crazy.
  27. KDavidson1
    Oct 23, 2022
    10
    AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is my personal Game of the Year. It build perfectly on it's predecessor. STORY:
    I will not talk much about the story itself, but it is perfectly executed. The plottwists are build up perfectly. You always think about which person is the murder or how and why something happend. It never was easy to simple just guess and be right about your    AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is my personal Game of the Year. It build perfectly on it's predecessor. STORY:
    I will not talk much about the story itself, but it is perfectly executed. The plottwists are build up perfectly. You always think about which person is the murder or how and why something happend. It never was easy to simple just guess and be right about your prediction, because you will always got some new Infos thrown into your build up theory which instantly makes it crumble. From beginning to end you will most of the time ask yourself "What? I didn't see this coming?" or "Could this theory be true?". The Endingphase also was executed perfectly. I can promise you you will go out of this game with a smile and tears in your eyes.

    CHARACTERS:
    All characters regardless of old or new are build with so much care that you really can feel their different personalities. Some characters even got so much nuances to their personality that you can almost feel that they will go through some major changes in future AI: The Somnium Files games. PUZZLES:
    These were made pretty well some were easy some were a bit difficult. Most of the time I had to use a paper to write down stuff to come to a conclusion. So, don't expect the game to go easy on you. You will have to think and most of the time even outside of the box.

    CONTROLS:
    They are precise and work well regardless if in the point-and-click or in the walk around sections. Also the QTE's work fine. SOUND:
    If you know the first game you know what you will get. Every song is fitting and compliments the situation pretty well. There even songs in them which get sung by the cast. So there is much you can look forward to.

    FUN-FACTOR: This is the the part which makes the game so great. Everything regardless of Story, Puzzles, QTE's etc. makes this game so fun. Especially the humor which is always there makes you enjoy this experience so much. I am completely amazed by how well they can handle the serious story bits while still putting in so much humor. They completely mastered this. CONCLUSION:
    AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is overall a greatly executed game. It has great Puzzles, so much humor, a beautifully crafted story and will leave you with the feeling that you want a sequel.
    So if you never played this game buy the first game and than this one. You will love both from beginning to end!

    P.S. Give the Nurse more screen time in the sequel!

    P.P.S. I'm now on my with a receptionist and her to big... ehm.. eyes... yeah EYES... to Atami.    … Expand
  28. martinsgo19
    Sep 29, 2022
    9
    Its a absolute great game. good scenarios, good history, nice characters, the game have controversial things and little errors but its enjoyable and charismatic game as well. Recommendable if u like in the past prof Layton or something like that
  29. MoMAUT
    Nov 22, 2022
    10
    Its a very good as a sequel. But if you are reading this then you NEED to check the first one, 999 is an absolute masterpiece, better in many ways than the new persona 5 that came out
  30. TianLong1
    Mar 31, 2023
    10
    Just like its previous release, Nirvana Initiative offers a great compelling story and an amazing cast of complex characters. The creepy murders seem impossible to perform, make you almost question reality and yet as a detective you uncover more and more clues about how it was made possible. Dialogue and voice acting are top notch as usual and the philosophical depth of the game was reallyJust like its previous release, Nirvana Initiative offers a great compelling story and an amazing cast of complex characters. The creepy murders seem impossible to perform, make you almost question reality and yet as a detective you uncover more and more clues about how it was made possible. Dialogue and voice acting are top notch as usual and the philosophical depth of the game was really fascinating for me.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PC Game of 2022
62
#62 Most Discussed PC Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Impulsegamer
    Jul 11, 2022
    86
    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.
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  2. Hey Poor Player
    Jun 27, 2022
    90
    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.
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  3. Destructoid
    Jun 26, 2022
    85
    If you’re looking for a compelling detective adventure with heart and smarts, it’s easy to recommend AI: The Sominum Files – nirvanA Initiative. It feels like the realization of what this world can be, and a promising step forward from its predecessor. It might still have a few wrinkles, but by the final credits roll, it’ll likely win over any investigator’s heart.
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