AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative Reviews

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative is ranked in the 95th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Unscored
Jan 16, 2023

As previously noted, there’s actually no need to play the first AI: The Somnium Files before jumping into Nirvana Initiative thanks to its excellent spoiler-limiting option — you even have to prove you played the original by answering a couple of questions about its finale — but, having now played both in immediate succession, I highly recommend that you plough through both as one big project. This is an exceptionally well-realised narrative world filled with absolutely wonderful characters — and after a while, you won’t want to leave them behind.

Read full review

8 / 10
Dec 19, 2022

Fans of gripping mysteries and intriguing puzzles will love the eclectic storytelling, but not necessarily the pervy humour, in Kotaro Uchikoshi's most fascinating oddity.

Read full review

Unscored
Aug 30, 2022

AI: The Somnium Files- nirvanA Initiative is a mystery graphic adventure so if you like detective games, with mystery, suspense, murder, futuristic, with bionic implants, charismatic characters, a somewhat green humor and anime, this it can be your game.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.8 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2022

AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative is a great murder mystery adventure style visual novel with a lot going for it. For a visual novel, player interaction is very high, the storyline is very engaging, and the quips and gags are really funny. While not having played the first title won’t really affect your experience, I highly suggest picking up both titles as they are really fun.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Aug 12, 2022

Like the Almighty Thor, Uchikoshi managed to wrestle another bolt of lightning into a jar that not only lived up to lofty expectations, but perhaps even surpassed them.

Read full review

8.8 / 10.0
Aug 2, 2022

AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative is a masterfully crafted murder mystery visual novel that smoothly blends in detective gameplay elements and puzzle sequences. It features an outstanding cast of characters and a competently crafted narrative that will keep you on your toes until the end. Even though the game has a smaller flowchart in terms of diverging narrative paths than the first game and may feel drawn out at times, it remains well worth checking out if you are into games of this genre.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Jul 28, 2022

There are always high expectations going into a game penned by Uchikoshi, but AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative fully lives up to the incredible potential of the original by delivering an unforgettable experience.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jul 27, 2022

There's lots to love: the characters are great, especially Mizuki, and exist just that right side of quirkiness; the side narratives are impressive; the Somnia are great fun; and the gradual dripping of reveals and revelations has you deducting and reasoning where AI is heading, like a budding Sherlock, all the way through. Heartily recommended.

Read full review

7.8 / 10.0
Jul 27, 2022

A must-have for AI: The Somnium Files veterans but also for those who are passionate about science fiction and crime.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jul 26, 2022

If you enjoy investigating mysterious homicides, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative is an irresistible and virtually flawless experience. The intelligent writing provides life and tangibility to the characters and their roles in the narrative, while at the same time giving us the clues so that, little by little, we can decipher the various enigmas of the plot. Somniums are bizarre in the best sense of the word, integrating unusual puzzles and gameplay mechanics in a way you won't find anywhere else. Although we consider that the story, by certain decisions, is inferior to that of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES, nirvanA Initiative is an indispensable and addictive experience for fans of the genre and a clear mechanical improvement over the inaugural title of the series.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jul 25, 2022

AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative tells a fascinating story with some weird and wonderful characters and more than a few twists and turns.

Read full review

Jul 19, 2022

"True detectives have an eye for details."

Review in Finnish | Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Jul 19, 2022

AI: The Somnium Files – nivranA Initiative is a bigger and better version of the first game that left me thinking about its story long after I rolled credits. It’s got another captivating story that is a delight to unravel, great cast of characters to interact with, some smartly designed puzzles, and a wonderful soundtrack and voice overs to listen to. My only real complains are that I wish there was an actual PS5 version so that the visuals and load times were a bit better. If you were a fan of the first game or just enjoy visual novels based around mysteries then this is a must-buy.

Read full review

Saudi Gamer
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jul 16, 2022

A rich and satisfying journey with some unforgettable characters and moments, only marred by some low budget concessions. A sequel with a much more ambitious scope and slight QoL improvements.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

9 / 10
Jul 15, 2022

AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative is a gripping blend of murder mystery and goofball antics. The game perfectly blends absurd humor with gripping sci-fi storytelling, and the way it breaks up dialogue-heavy moments with bits of investigative gameplay or exciting fight scenes keeps things fresh right up until the credits roll.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jul 12, 2022

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.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Jul 11, 2022

The Nirvana Initiative improves on its predecessor in every way, bringing in twice as many interesting, layered characters that all get their time in the sun, crazy mysteries with twists i never saw coming, intelligent writing, vastly improved puzzles, impeccable voice acting and the best soundtrack of the year. I am shocked to say this, but I think the package as a whole outdoes Spike Chunsoft’s previous works.

Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Jul 11, 2022

AI: The Somnium Files NirvanA Initiative ranks as one of the best titles of its genre. A brilliant story, endearing characters, humor and a great soundtrack.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Recommended
Jul 11, 2022

It is hard to know where to begin when describing the experience of playing AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative. It is the sequel to 2019’s AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES, but requires no knowledge of the first game whatsoever and can go out of its way to hide spoilers if players have not experienced the original. The first game’s essence is still very much present in nirvanA Initiative, and there are a multitude of improvements to the puzzle-solving elements that makes for an overall superior gameplay experience. It is among the best of its genre, while also being at times completely nonsensical. It is a game of halves, while also being a game about halves.

Read full review

Jul 5, 2022

FRAY TO THE FREE A deep dive into the mind of conspiracy theories and a bit of vaporwave.

Read full review