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AI: Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative

AI: ソムニウムファイル ニルヴァーナイニシアチブ

Titles
AI: ソムニウムファイル ニルヴァーナイニシアチブ
AI: Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative
AI:梦境档案 涅槃肇始
AI: Mengjing Dang'an Niepan Zhaoshi
AI:夢境檔案 涅槃肇始
AI: Mengjing Dang'an Niepan Zhaoshi
AliasesAI2, AINI, AI The Somnium Files 2
Play timeLong (32h30m from 113 votes)
DeveloperSpike Chunsoft
PublishersSpike Chunsoft
Spike Chunsoft & Numskull Games Ltd.
Spike Chunsoft
Dream Team Trad
Relations
Prequel

AI: Somnium Files

LinksWikipedia (en), Wikidata, GameFAQs, GameFAQs, GameFAQs, GameFAQs, HowLongToBeat, IGDB, IGDB, PCGamingWiki, VNStat

Description

Six years ago, the right half of a corpse was discovered. The left half was never found…until six years later, completely fresh with no signs of decay.

Now, Special Agents Mizuki and Ryuki, along with their AI partners Aiba and Tama, are tasked to solve the bizarre Half Body serial killings while unveiling the mysterious plot known only as the Nirvana Initiative…

[From Official Press Release]

Six years ago:
The right half of a body suddenly appeared at the studio for an online quiz show. Rookie investigator Ryuki is assigned to this strange murder case.

Present day:
The left half of the victim's body is found many years later, and the case is opened once again. New recruit Mizuki makes contact with the case's former investigator, Ryuki.

[From Weekly Famitsu 4/28 story description]

Adult Protagonist 3.0 ADV 3.0 AI Protagonist 3.0 Character Profiles 3.0 Clone ProtagonistS 3.0 CloningS 3.0 Dancer Heroine 3.0 Death of HeroS 3.0 Delusional ProtagonistS 3.0 Detective Work 3.0 Divorcee Hero 3.0 Dream 3.0 Enforced Playing OrderS 3.0 Half-orphan HeroS 3.0 Hero with Eyepatch 3.0 High School Student HeroineS 3.0 High School Student Protagonist 3.0 Interactive Adventure Game 3.0 KidnappingS 3.0 Major Antagonist 3.0 MetafictionS 3.0 Multiple Common Routes 3.0 Multiple Route Mystery 3.0 Murder Mystery 3.0 Near Future 3.0 Non-ChronologicalS 3.0 One True End 3.0 Orphan Protagonist 3.0 Player as a CharacterS 3.0 Police 3.0 Police Officer Protagonist 3.0 Protagonist's Childhood Friend as a Heroine 3.0 Protagonist with Heterochromia 3.0 Protagonist with Voice Acting 3.0 Realtime 3D 3.0 RevengeS 3.0 Sexual Innuendo 3.0 Thriller 3.0 Time Jump 3.0 Unlockable Bonus ContentS 3.0 Unlockable Gallery 3.0 Achievements 2.8 AI Heroine 2.8 Built-in Encyclopedia 2.8 Built-in Flowchart 2.8 Male Protagonist 2.8 CultS 2.8 Female Protagonist 2.8 Future Tokyo 2.8 Homicide 2.8 Mystery 2.8 No Sexual Content 2.8 Protagonist with a Face 2.8 Protagonist with Psychological ProblemsS 2.8 Puzzle Game 2.8 Amnesia 2.7 Confinement in a Simulated RealityS 2.7 Conspiracy 2.7 Co-worker Hero 2.7 Multiple Protagonists 2.7 Quick Time Events 2.7 Voiced Thoughts 2.7 Winter 2.7 Science Fiction 2.6 Secret SocietyS 2.6 Breaking the Fourth WallS 2.5 Colored Name-tags 2.5 Comical Hero 2.5 Date Display 2.5 Genetic ResearchS 2.5 Half-orphan Heroine 2.5 Hero(ine)'s Father as a Hero 2.5 Playtime Counter 2.5 Restart from Chapter Index 2.5 Strong Female Protagonist 2.5 SuperpowersS 2.5 Unlockable Concept Art 2.5 Dominatrix Heroine 2.3 Changeable Clothes 2.3 Non-Japanese Voice Acting 2.2 Adult Hero 2.0 Amusement Park 2.0 Anime-looking 3D 2.0 Biological WeaponS 2.0 Bisexual ProtagonistS 2.0 BlackmailS 2.0 Boke Protagonist 2.0 Cliffhanger EndingS 2.0 Combat Capable Friends 2.0 Cook Hero 2.0 Co-worker Support Character 2.0 Crippled HeroineS 2.0 Difficulty Settings 2.0 Elementary School Student Hero 2.0 Fighting Protagonist 2.0 Half-Japanese Hero 2.0 Infodumping 2.0 In-Game Tutorial 2.0 Insert Songs 2.0 Inventor Hero 2.0 Japanese Idols 2.0 Legal Shota HeroS 2.0 Lip Sync 2.0 Location Display 2.0 Maid Heroine 2.0 Multiple Credit Rolls 2.0 Non-Erotic Moral CorruptionS 2.0 Ojousama Heroine 2.0 Perverted Hero 2.0 Police Officer Hero 2.0 PossessionS 2.0 Protagonist's Childhood Friend as a Hero 2.0 Secret IdentityS 2.0 Shota Hero 2.0 Spy ProtagonistS 2.0 Timed Choices 2.0 Tomboy Protagonist 2.0 TranshumanismS 2.0 Tsukkomi Protagonist 2.0 Unique RoutesS 2.0 Urban Legend 2.0 Valentine's Day 2.0 Non-sexual Child AbuseS 1.7 Yakuza 1.7 Non-Binary Characters 1.5 Wealthy Protagonist 1.5 AlcoholismS 1.3 Joke EndingsS 1.3 100% Completion Bonus 1.0 Boke Hero 1.0 Bonus Side StoriesS 1.0 Dying ProtagonistS 1.0 ElopementS 1.0 Escape GameS 1.0 Glasses Option 1.0 Nurse Support Character 1.0 Otaku Friend 1.0 Poor Heroine 1.0 RejuvenationS 1.0 Submissive Protagonist 1.0 Thief Hero 1.0 Transgender Support Character 1.0 Graphic Violence 0.8 Jump ScaresS 0.3

Mini reviews

By bigbigdiofan on 2022-07-08Vote: 5
<report>This is incredibly disappointing. The "twist" in this game serves no narrative purpose other than for the sake of there being a twist and one easter egg ending. Even in that case of the easter egg end it didn't specifically require the game telling its narrative the way it is. For Ex. The twist in Ever17 made sense. There was effort put into convincing the player that the events that happened in Ever17 made logical sense in the context of the twist. But in this? No. It's nonsensical. Even if you ignore the twist (which isn't a big part of the narrative anyway) the story is mediocre. The fight scenes are aggravating since they are inconsistent with one another in showcasing the character's physical abilities and the enemies are incredibly stupid. The puzzles are alright so I give this a 5.
4 comments 8 points
By okimbluecat on 2022-07-26Vote: 6
<report>Decent as a game, but the writing is below the standards set by the original game. Uchikoshi is known for recycling plot beats, and it definitely shows here. The sheer amount of convenience at play and the lying to the player made the latter half of the story noticeably worse. Lots of potential was skewed in favor of having more ~insane~ plot twists, and ended up compromising most of the cast's character development in my opinion. I also wish Uchikoshi didn't try so hard to write around spoilers for the previous title; I understand it's harder to market pure sequels to a broader audience, but it feels shitty for the people who have played it. Best part of this game as a sequel were the somniums imo, also loved the bonus somnium unlocked at the end of the game.
0 comments 5 points
By iitora on 2022-07-04r80854Vote: 8
<report>So, AINI. What a game.


It's clear after beating it that the writers forgot that half the fun of a mystery novel is actually being able to solve the mystery on your own.
The first game was solvable for the most part. But with AINI, the game instead chooses to run around in circles specifically to waste your time. It's not quirky. It's called being purposefully obtuse.

I did enjoy the story once I had all the context... but the flanderization of certain characters (Date) really pissed me off.
It wanted to squeeze every character from last game in and it did NOT work. Not only that, it wanted to be more "accessible" to people who hadn't played the first one; So none of the returning cast really grows or changes.

Who the hell starts a mystery series with the second entry. What. 8/10
0 comments 2 points
By rahkshilord on 2022-06-30Vote: 5
<report>I really wanted to like this game. I came into the first one incredibly skeptical because I don't really like Uchikoshi's other games, but I actually really loved it. I enjoyed the gameplay and the Somniums and fell in love with the cast.

I hate this game. not only is it a terrible sequel, but it's a bad game. the somniums are awful, discarding the fun dream logic of the first game in favor of... nothing, they just point you to the end and are basically busywork. the cast is a massive step down, with the only one I like being Mizuki who is coasting off of the first game as she gets no development at all here. and the story is unbearably bad, it is an insult to follow up the well crafted mystery of the first game with this shlock that feels like a first draft.
2 comments 1 point
By Vallants on 2022-07-06Vote: 7.5
<report>I love this game, but less as a sequel and more like another game. I think the charm for the 1st game was the found family warmth I got from that cast by the end, but I don't really get that from this game. That's not to say I don't enjoy the cast though all the mainstays are enjoyable, namely Lien and Tama. Somniums and gameplay in general are much better just play on easy, standard makes it unenjoyable. Overall great game but not for the reasons why the first game was a great game. Imo this game has a more interesting story to offer but it could be argued the cast suffers for it in comparison to the first game. It's a worthwhile trade imo because I really enjoy the end product arguably more than the first game but just know you trade the loving cast of the 1st game for a cooler story
0 comments 1 point
By SuaveShibe on 2022-11-08Vote: 10
<report>Fucking zenith media. Uchikoshi continuing to prove why freebase is the best writing tool of all time, cause this shit is off the fuckin goop. Even though "objectively" it might not be a 10, no other writer will ever be this funny while being genuinely compelling. Mizuki continues to be a gem every single second she's on screen but everyone plays off the rest of the cast in enjoyable ways. Our other protagonist, Ryuki, is maybe the most fucked up man alive. He's so severely mentally ill that he should be committed, much less being a cop. He frequently spaces out for hours at a time, coming to in the exact spot that he passed out at. The serial killings are genuinely compelling and the twist is the most batshit insane thing I've seen a video game pull in a long time. Just play it.
2 comments 1 point
By SkankinGarbage on 2023-06-16r81286Vote: 5
<report>This game exemplifies why I hate adding numbered scores to reviews; opinions on games are nuanced, but numbers are absolute, cut-and-dry.

Listen - I'm not here to tell you this game sucks. It doesn't. I had a ton of fun, just as I did with the first game. But the big plot twist doesn't have any connection to the gameplay elements, as with other Uchikoshi twists; it feels like it exists for solely to make the story convoluted.

There are story elements of the previous game that were retconned, which I'm never a fan of. But also, at the end of the game, you can find something that implies that these retcons make perfect sense. This set up is the worst: now you can write anything, alter literally anything, and justify it after the fact.

It's not bad. Just know what you're getting into.
2 comments 1 point
By faraway-paladin on 2023-01-20Vote: 8
<report>It's excellent, I still prefer the first game but this was so ambitious it makes up for being a bit convoluted or confusing sometimes

-it has great action

-great music

-a very complex mystery

-and dance numbers


tl;dr play it, it's good
0 comments 0 points

Full reviews

By version on 2022-06-26Vote: 5
<report>
7 comments 5 points
By iloveotl on 2023-03-26r81283
<report>10/10 Uchikoshi game, 5/10 (or less) character drama.

With AI:NI, Uchikoshi aimed for a partial return to the VLR/ZTD-type story with a grand scheme and philosophical discussion, rather than the more personal story of 999 and AI:TSF. While it doesn't quite meet the same level as VLR/ZTD, and certainly reused a ton of Uchikoshi-type plot elements (hello masked figure speaking in a tape), it was still unique enough that I did not see the big twist coming (I knew the twist would be timeline-related, but that was not enough to guess the exact mechanism - I thought that perhaps the explosion route wasn't actually the one that happened before Mizuki's side). While I certainly would have enjoyed... Read more »
1 comment 4 points
By Jorogumochan on 2022-07-20r80853Vote: 6.5
<report>
0 comments 3 points
By saiminjutsu on 2023-04-15
<report>Your opinion of this game is going to depend heavily on what you think about writer Uchikoshi's previous games. If you like the zany twists, infodumps on whatever wikipedia hole he was in while writing, 4th wall shenanigans, etc., you will probably find a lot to appreciate here. If you liked the first Somnium because of a greater focus on characters over plot compared to previous works, Nirvana Initiative probably will not be your speed. Despite 999 and Virtue's Last Reward being two of my favorite visual novels, I do not enjoy how Nirvana Initiative feels more like a spiritual successor to Zero Time Dilemma than a true sequel to Somnium 1. Specifically, the worst chapter of the game is... Read more »
0 comments 3 points
By Eonlars on 2022-07-04r81286Vote: 8
<report>Since this is a sequel, we should start with comparing this to the prequel but you don't need to play the prequel to understand the sequel, there isn't much continuity between the games to the point that they probably take place in similar yet different timelines.

Graphics: It is an improvement from the previous game in general, the game runs much better and animated scenes have more life to them (or less life to it, I am looking at you, a certain arm.)

Story: Well, I would say it is about the same as the previous game with the mystery being a little bit worse but the general soul of the non-serious mystery game still remains, the comedy was entertaining for me, keep in mind that the... Read more »
0 comments 1 point
By genuineparts on 2022-09-06r81288Vote: 8
<report>Oof... How to rate this game. The previous installment was unexpectedly good. So we got more of it!
And that might be the issue, the game is technically completely fine, plays fine. But if feels like they tried to make a sequel on the least possible budget. They reused Models & Places and not even the Models from the end of the game. Sure you can put it up to the Joke they make with it... but... I'd would have wanted the world to expand and grow.
So it's not a direct sequel and while Mizuki goes through some growth... I think we'd like to see the other Characters grow too. But they have been relegated to the Background.
All in all, it's good. It's just not a sequel. It reuses characters... Read more »
0 comments 1 point
By N-Scarlet on 2023-07-20r81283Vote: 8
<report>Introduction
This game released in June of 2022 and is the sequel to the first ai the Somnium files. the game is written by Kotaro Uchikoshi who was the writer of the previous game, and these two games serve as a spiritual successor to his previous works of the nonary games. Similar to his previous series these games mesh visual novel together with puzzle solving. In this piece I will be discussing my experience with the game after finishing and 100% the game. The main story itself took me around 24 hours and doing everything for 100% took that up to 28.5 hours. I will be talking about the entire story in this review, but I will give a clear spoiler warning when we get there.

Story recap... Read more »
0 comments 1 point
By rei-bastille on 2022-06-29Vote: 7
<report>
0 comments 0 points
By jacopo on 2022-07-26r91495Vote: 5
<report>If you've never played a VN like this before, or don't care for actually solving mysteries while reading them, this game will probably blow your mind. Otherwise, it's probably not worth your time.

I was kind of let down by AI and thus didn't have high expectations for this one. Still, I kept an open mind and hoped it would fix the things I didn't like about the first game.

With some aspects, they succeeded. I'm probably the only person who didn't like Mizuki in the first game, but I'm happy to say I like her a lot more as a young adult. They also introduce a new character who is probably the most interesting in the entire franchise. On top of that, the tonal consistency is a lot better... Read more »
0 comments 0 points
By Lavilledieu on 2023-08-19Vote: 7
<report>+++ The pacing is great and you will keep playing. No matter the amount of negatives one can list about this game, it will be indisputable fun and for that reason, it warrants a great score.
+ Cool story about bodies appearing in half and flying through time.
+ I love how the story weaves all characters together. Although it’s not done as well as the previous game, where an even smaller cast was possible to carry the whole game.
+ Some strange details will appear, eventually culminating in an interesting plot twist. However, the exact moment this gets revealed is incredibly clumsy. I like the plot twist, I like how you get to it, I dislike how they executed it.
+ Features a very handy... Read more »
0 comments 0 points
By xellyeax on 2023-03-23r80852Vote: 7.9
<report>An upgrade on all fronts in comparison with the first AI game.

The gameplay isn't changed much. But the pacing has been improved by far, and that helped fix the main issue of the prequel: a feeling of disproportion. Now Somniums (they are still the best part of the game) are evenly located throughout the plot, and you don't get tired of point-and-click/investigation parts. An invention – quick VR parts – also bring some new activities and look suitable. Another good thing is the Unlimited Psync option where you can inspect locations with no rush after completing them for the first time. This is, on a whole, a massive improvement.

I like that Chunsoft did not try to squeeze as much as... Read more »
1 comment 0 points
By bunny1ov3r on 2022-07-11r81286Vote: 6.5
<report>-Improvement In Game Mechanics, But Less Relevent to Story-
One of the things that makes AI Somnium Files series stand out from banal "visual novel" is its interactive gameplay. In the sequel Nirvana, "Psyching" experience is improved with fine-tuning for more complicated gameplay, and the addition of another gameplay feature allows players to sit in the chair of director and reanimate the crime scenes. All of this is great except that most psyching experiences aren't that significant to the story. Contrary to the prequel, they are added in there just to get some gameplay, a tasteless strategy game producers sometimes use to extend playtime.

-Old Tricks Reenacted in New Scenario-
If you
... Read more »
0 comments 0 points
By mimzy630 on 2022-06-26r80852Vote: 9.9
<report>Mori's 3-Part Review:
1. Bare minimum information and recommendations to improve your playthrough
2. Background information on me and my playthrough
3. More extensive non-spoiler reactions

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... Read more »
7 comments 0 points