Developer Spike Chunsoft sent out a press release detailing new gameplay features in their upcoming sequel to AI: The Somnium Files, Nirvana Initiative along with three new characters to the series. We recently reviewed the first game and gave it an 8.6 (and it’s available on Game Pass). The Nirvana Initiative releases on June 24th, 2022.
https://xboxera.com/2022/05/30/review-ai-the-somnium-files/
You can find the press release detailing all the new information below:
| Spike Chunsoft, Inc. Introduces New Gameplay Elements for AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative |
| New Somnium Elements and 3 Characters Revealed |
| HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (May 30, 2022) – Spike Chunsoft, Inc. today introduced new Somnium gameplay elements and three additional characters who will appear in the upcoming AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative. The sequel to the 2019 hit adventure game arrives on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam® on June 24, 2022, in North America and July 8, 2022, in Europe and Oceania. |
| A Closer Look at Somnium: Searching for Clues in the Dream World The game system consists of “Investigation” and “Somnium”. The “Investigation” part takes place in the real world. Here players will examine crime scenes and listen to testimonies. In the “Somnium” part, players enter the dream worlds of suspects and key witnesses. During a Somnium, players have a limited amount of time to search for the truth deep in the subject’s memories. Aiba and Tama appear in human form and assist their agents by exploring the dream world and uncovering new clues. |
| At ABIS headquarters an Agent or “Psyncer” uses the Psync machine to enter a witness’s dream world. The device can only be used by Agents with the ability to adapt to the dream world. |
| A Somnium is uniquely based on the memories of the Psync subject, so each dream landscape is completely different. The sequel introduces new underwater and aerial Somnia, allowing players to experience more varied worlds. Somnia are comprised of multiple levels, and “mental locks” that must be unlocked in order to advance to the next level. Depending on the Somnium, there are multiple ways to remove mental locks, so the story may diverge depending on what method was used. |
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| To remove a mental lock, players must examine and act on various objects, but every action consumes its own set amount of time. With only six minutes to complete a Somnium, players must take into account the remaining time and choose each action carefully. While taking action time flows at a normal speed. Remaining stationary causes time to pass more slowly. |
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| Somnium “Keys” and “Conscious Antibodies” Keys In a Somnium, common sense and laws of the real world do not apply, but there are “Keys,” or rules based on the Psync subject’s consciousness and memories. Once Keys are revealed, it becomes easier to narrow down the actions and choices to be taken in that Somnium. Initially, most of the Keys are hidden, but as you explore and begin to understand the Somnium, Keys will be revealed. |
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| Conscious Antibodies A Conscious Antibody is the alertness of the Psync subject embodied in the Somnium. Conscious Antibodies block access to important information and, when touched, greatly reduce the amount of time one can safely remain in a Somnium. |
 If a Conscious Antibody is blocking the way, find a way to eliminate it and move on. |
| New Characters: Introducing the Masked Restaurant Owner |
 GenVA: SungWon Cho Japanese VA: Yasumichi Kushida Owner of Brahman World Cuisine He runs a restaurant called Brahman in Golden Yokocho. Always wears a mask for some reason. His cooking is excellent. The restaurant is frequented by members of ABIS.  |
 AmameVA: Faye Mata Japanese VA: Risa Kubota Made Cafe Maid A Sekiba High Senior and “Mermaid” at Sunfish Pocket. She has a sharp tongue, but is never really malicious. She’s in the school dance club with Iris and Kizuna. A regular at Brahman and close with Gen.  |
 ShomaVA: Greg Vinciguerra Japanese VA: Hiromi Igarashi 6th Grader Komeji’s son. His parents are divorced. He lives with his poor comedian dad, but despises him. In the same grade as Mizuki, but doesn’t seem to have much contact with her.  |
| About AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative 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… AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative will be available for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam® on June 24, 2022, in North America and July 8, 2022, in Europe and Oceania. Physical version pre-orders available now. For details visit: https://www.spike-chunsoft.co.jp/ai-nirvana/en/. Digital pre-orders are available on Nintendo.com, Nintendo eShop, and Xbox.com. Players can add the game to their PlayStation Store Wishlist. Physical versions published in European regions by Numskull Games. |
| Standard Edition |
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| Collector’s Edition |
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| AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative physical game Exclusive Good Smile Company POP UP PARADE ~170mm PVC figure of the beautiful AI-Ball “Aiba” SECRET OF THE WORLD: THE DEFIniTIVE ART BOOK featuring concept art and illustrations by Yusuke Kozaki HARMOniOUS DISCORD official soundtrack by returning composer Keisuke Ito |
| Game Specifications TITLE AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative RELEASE DATE (North America) June 24, 2022 RELEASE DATE (Europe & Oceania) July 8, 2022 RELEASE DATE (Steam) June 24, 2022 PLATFORMs Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows 10*, Steam* (*download version only) MSRP Standard Edition: $59.99 | Collector’s Edition: $119.99 PLAYERS 1 player GENRE Detective Adventure WEBSITE Official site ESRB RATING Mature COPYRIGHT ©Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Licensed to and Published by Spike Chunsoft, Inc. |
