AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative Reviews
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.
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.
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.
If you are a fan of Danganronpa, the Zero Escape series or any narrative thriller, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative is for you. If the first one left me a bit confused, the second game is better structured, captivating and very well written. Furthermore, you don't really need to play the previous game to jump into this one so enjoy and discover the many paths that will lead you to the conclusion of this amazing sci-fi story.
Review in French | Read full review
It’s not perfect, but it is memorable in a way that’ll have me playing its ending song on repeat for weeks. This game gave me such an adrenaline rush that I was able to pull my first all-nighter in months without an issue. If Special Agent Date’s powerup is a porno mag, this is mine.
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
"True detectives have an eye for details."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
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.
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
The original Somnium Files was a delight in every way and Nirvana Initiative follows that up without missing a beat.
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.
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.