AI: The Somnium Files

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Push Square
    Sep 16, 2019
    70
    AI: The Somnium Files tells an often engrossing tale. It takes a couple of hours to really get going, but when it does, it blossoms into one of the most impressively executed visual novels on PS4. A range of characters, both surprisingly deep and brilliantly stupid, elevate an already intriguing and smartly paced story. It's just a shame that the dream sequences, with their frustratingly obscure puzzle solving, can really put a dampener on the experience.
  2. ZTGD
    Sep 17, 2019
    65
    Ultimately, AI: The Somnium Files is a game that has moments of brilliance that are obscured by a disjointed narrative and investigative process. Aside from the Somnium sequences – which are, admittedly, very cool – the game failed to motivate me to truly engage with its overarching story. I just didn’t find it appealing. That said, it may be worth a look for fans of the genre (or detective stories in general), who are likely to feel at home here if not altogether blown away.
  3. Twinfinite
    Sep 12, 2019
    60
    AI: The Somnium Files seemed to have so much going for it on the surface, but it’s ultimately let down by poor pacing and writing. If you were hoping for a worthy successor to the excellent Zero Escape series, this ain’t it chief.
  5. COGconnected
    Sep 16, 2019
    58
    If you’re looking for a visual novel with a compelling plot, and are able to ignore lots of terrible dialogue, then AI: The Somnium Files is a no-brainer recommendation. But for anyone else, this is a tough recommendation because it almost feels like the game is doing everything it can to stall the player from experiencing said compelling plot. The gameplay is solid, but be prepared to play something more like a visual novel than an “adventure game”, which is how AI: The Somnium Files is being advertised.
  6. Cubed3
    Jan 7, 2022
    50
    When the story hits some of its high points, AI: The Somnium Files is really good, and feels like the same kind of high 999 gave… but it is largely crippled by just how slow and repetitious it all is. Random slapstick and outright unrealistic scenes draws players out very quickly from the attempt at being a serious plot. It goes nowhere fast, and the whiplash between attempts at humour and serious moments are too ham-fisted. The overall plot could easily be cut by more than half, and the overall experience would be better for it.
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  1. Eurogamer
    Sep 17, 2019
    Equal parts tense and unpredictable, this serves the kind of memorable experience that makes exploring branching storylines a joy. [Eurogamer Recommended]

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best PS4 Game of 2019
40
#40 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 366 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 318 out of 366
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 366
  3. Negative: 30 out of 366
  1. NenJutsu
    Sep 17, 2019
    10
    Uchikoshi has done it again. Created one of the most captivating and well written stories in gaming including bad sex jokes. Zero Escape wasUchikoshi has done it again. Created one of the most captivating and well written stories in gaming including bad sex jokes. Zero Escape was an instant cult classic and super narratives in gaming. Ai The Somnium Files is an amazing follow up .… Full Review »
  2. Andrudis
    Sep 29, 2019
    10
    It's a Visual Novel, so there is not much about game-play naturally. It's more like watching interesting anime with you being somewhatIt's a Visual Novel, so there is not much about game-play naturally. It's more like watching interesting anime with you being somewhat involved in what will happen next and see everything from the first person (except cut-scenes).
    Excellent detective story with unpredictable turns. Deep distinctive characters. You naturally get this "just one more dialog/scene/chapter" and its hard to stop once you get immersed into the story - and that happens extremely fast with each of story branches.
    There are really few games that can match that.
    Definitely can recommend it to anyone interested in highly enjoyable anime-like story experience.    … Full Review »
  3. SoupWS
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    I **** loved this game. Stop the reviewbombing you immature cucks.
    Don't you have anything more productive to do with your pathetic lives?
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