AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative

 PC
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Noisy Pixel
    Jun 20, 2022
    100
    AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative is an easy game of the year contender. The game features an improved presentation of animations, music, fantastic characters, and writing that left me in half reeling and desperate for more. The pacing throughout the mystery was stellar, and the build-up to the conclusion will keep you on your toes. If you’re into mystery, adventure games, or visual novels, this is the game to get. Just limit your hype, lest you be rendered in two minds.
  2. Hey Poor Player
    Jun 27, 2022
    90
    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.
  3. PC Invasion
    Jun 24, 2022
    90
    Not quite as good as its predecessor in some ways and notably better in others, AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative is a must-play for fans anime-styled narrative games.
  5. RPG Site
    Jun 22, 2022
    90
    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.
  6. ZTGD
    Jun 21, 2022
    90
    With added quality of life features and improved pacing, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative is an impressive follow up to an underrated gem and one that should be on the radar of anyone who appreciates compelling stories in their video games.
  7. GameGrin
    Jun 20, 2022
    90
    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.
  8. Impulsegamer
    Jul 11, 2022
    86
    AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative is a superior game compared to its predecessor in almost every aspect. While some of the puzzle segments are a bit long-winded and can be quite complicated, the experiences they provide alone are incredibly worth it, and the characters make the game so fun to play.
  9. Destructoid
    Jun 26, 2022
    85
    If you’re looking for a compelling detective adventure with heart and smarts, it’s easy to recommend AI: The Sominum Files – nirvanA Initiative. It feels like the realization of what this world can be, and a promising step forward from its predecessor. It might still have a few wrinkles, but by the final credits roll, it’ll likely win over any investigator’s heart.
  10. COGconnected
    Jun 22, 2022
    84
    All in all, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is another complex and twisting murder mystery with a strong cyberpunk flavor. If you crave bizarre philosophies, high-tech conspiracies, and mind-bending puzzles, add this game to your list. Just make you aren’t photosensitive first.
  11. Checkpoint Gaming
    Jun 26, 2022
    80
    AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative can throw a lot of information at you, and it will take some time to digest the tutorials and the events of the game. But once you manage to find your footing, you will be investigating an intriguing mystery that crosses different timelines with powerful tools. It’s a story that requires patience, understanding, and some outside-the-box thinking, but it pays off with a fantastic resolution when you reach the real conclusion.

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PC Game of 2022
57
#57 Most Discussed PC Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 100 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 100
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 100
  3. Negative: 12 out of 100
  1. lovelykohai
    Jul 5, 2022
    9
    Fantastic story experience with heart-wrenching character arcs, very interesting twists and puzzles which are objective upgrades from theFantastic story experience with heart-wrenching character arcs, very interesting twists and puzzles which are objective upgrades from the original game
    I beat this game a week ago and cannot stop thinking about it.
    The plot is very good, falls short of being as good as the first in my opinion, however the first game was so good its a very difficult legacy to live up to and the game makes up for it in other ways (i.e being less cringe and being more involved gameplay wise)    … Full Review »
  2. xelphatol
    Jul 5, 2022
    9
    I really love this game and series and hope we get a continuation! I recommend playing this game after the first in the series if you're newI really love this game and series and hope we get a continuation! I recommend playing this game after the first in the series if you're new to it, as they're both really great and this one builds upon the first a bit. (You can optionally play this without spoilers from the first, but they're best played in order in my opinion.)

    Though I think the first game holds up better as a murder mystery, the characters and worlds in this one were some of the most fun I've had in ages. Nirvana Initiative also has a new portrait system and animations that make it look great visually (Yusuke Kozaki also did the character design for this series, which you might recognize from Fire Emblem). I had so much fun here and hope to see more of Mizuki, Ryuki, and the rest of the cast in the future.    … Full Review »
  3. 4u9DnIq7eEiVxEP
    Jul 4, 2022
    5
    Character writing was mostly pretty good, but Uchikoshi continues to force low brow humor through Tama so often that it stopped being funnyCharacter writing was mostly pretty good, but Uchikoshi continues to force low brow humor through Tama so often that it stopped being funny and was just uncomfortable.

    There are several twists in this game, one of which was pretty clever, the others just didn't feel particularly satisfying and felt like "magic scifi nonsense" to fill a few plot holes the first major twist opened.

    The culprit's motives felt weak by the end considering how little we saw of their connection to the victims.

    Ultimately, an okay mystery, but Uchikoshi continues to demonstrate that he peaked at 999 and VLR. The man clearly still has some interesting ideas but has yet to stick the landing on any of them since then.    … Full Review »
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