AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative

 PlayStation 4
AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

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  • Summary: 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 SpecialSix 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...… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. The Mako Reactor
    Jun 27, 2022
    95
    AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative gets almost everything right. It builds on the original in just about every way and remains a more accessible entry thanks to new quality of life features and difficulty options. The narrative is more over-the-top than the original with its humor turned up even more, and it excels with its excellent characters. If you enjoy mystery adventure games, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't buy AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative. It is an easy game of the year contender.
  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Jun 22, 2022
    90
    AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is an exceptional game that hits the same beats as the original, while introducing plenty of fun new characters and a winding, complex plot that is going to keep you second-guessing right to the end. If only we had more games that respected the intelligence of their players like this one does.
  3. Cubed3
    Jun 27, 2022
    90
    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.
  4. CGMagazine
    Jun 22, 2022
    85
    While AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative is enjoyable in both story and gameplay, at times it’s a hard game to recommend to anyone going in blind who doesn’t enjoy the puzzle aspect of games, so having a guide to get past certain moments will only help.
  5. PlaySense
    Jul 22, 2022
    85
    The game presents you with a fascinating murder mystery that is very interesting to experience. The hilarious dialogues bring a fresh undertone to it and the same can be said about the puzzles and other gameplay elements. This is a rather unique experience and the graphical mediocrity has to be taken for granted, as well as the fact that you sometimes have to guess a little too much. However, these are small blemishes on an otherwise excellent whole.
  6. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Jul 13, 2022
    80
    AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is an entertaining trip featuring a sharp story by Kotaro Uchikoshi, though it may not be for everyone. If you prefer to be told exactly how to solve puzzles, the easier difficulty levels can help, but ultimately the game’s nature is to be esoteric and reveal each Somnium’s secrets piece by piece. Fans of the first game will definitely enjoy this trip, while new players can hop right in without any major spoilers if they so choose. Either way, nirvanA Initiative is one game you’ll actually want to finish.
  7. Push Square
    Jun 20, 2022
    70
    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.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. PlushLava
    Jun 26, 2022
    10
    Uchikoshi has done it again! If you've played any of the Zero Escape games or the first AI: The Somnium Files, then you know this man isUchikoshi has done it again! If you've played any of the Zero Escape games or the first AI: The Somnium Files, then you know this man is incredible with his writing.

    For everyone else, just play it. Enjoy the confusion and piecing together of the puzzle.    … Expand
  2. RashFaustinho
    Jul 13, 2022
    10
    I love Uchikoshi games, I wish they could be more popoular and well known. What I like the most of about his works is his writing style, heI love Uchikoshi games, I wish they could be more popoular and well known. What I like the most of about his works is his writing style, he really writes in such an intrguing and interesting way

    A bit of a shame that here in Europe the game got slightly delayed, but it was worth it    … Expand
  4. HalfANickel
    Jul 4, 2022
    10
    From the very first screen to the last lines spoken, this is Uchikoshi at his best.
  5. animeUwU
    Jun 25, 2022
    10
    I can't believe we got a sequel to this amazing game. So far, my favorite game of 2022.
  6. iammaxmak
    Jun 28, 2022
    10
    I love this story, it is always unexpected. I like interact with all objects, because it always surprise to me.
  7. KaiserDagnabbit
    Jul 14, 2022
    9
    Watched a playthrough of this, so I'm not gonna talk much about gameplay other than things that might be good for a quality-of-life feature.Watched a playthrough of this, so I'm not gonna talk much about gameplay other than things that might be good for a quality-of-life feature. Just a casual talking about how much they liked certain parts. I think that characters are the strongest part of this game.

    I really liked the story. I wish it could've been more fleshed out, as there are some things that happen in one ending that don't get explained in the true ending. The mystery is something that most mystery buffs probably wouldn't enjoy, but it was fun to theorize for a casual like me. (My previous experience with mystery is AITSF 1 and Umineko)

    I loved the characters. They were fun, the humor landed most of the time, and I got incredibly attached to some of them. There were a few characters that I heavily disliked or just didn't find enjoyable, and keep in mind that they were written to be likeable. And again, I believe they were the strongest point. I also have specific tastes, so you will probably love the characters I hate.

    The mystery was brain-stretching. One specific answer made me just sit at the computer for 15 minutes and try to comprehend it. I don't know if it was just me, but I think a lot of people also found it extremely hard to understand, even for a hardcore mystery answer. That doesn't really hinder the game for me, though. It was super fun to theorize!

    I don't want my review to get too long, so I'll end there. 9/10, not perfect, due to a certain plotline of romance in this game, but I really loved it and I'll remember it for quite a while.    … Expand
  8. shin777
    Jul 5, 2022
    0
    You should add more languages into your game, not much people wants to play visual novels in secondary language

See all 9 User Reviews

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#4 Best PS4 Game of 2022
13
#13 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2022