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AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative Introduces New Gameplay and Characters

Date's back in AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative

Prepare yourself for another surreal investigation into the psyches and dreams of witnesses! Spike Chunsoft revealed new information ahead of AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative‘s release this month. Read our comprehensive explainer below, but here’s the latest trailer in case you missed it.

Let’s “dive” into the gameplay. As with the original AI: The Somnium Files, your time will be split between “Investigation” and “Somnium” phases. As you’d expect, Investigation segments follow Mizuki as she examines crime scenes and questions witnesses.

Things get trippy once you step into the Somnium. Aiba and Tama work with you to dive into the subject’s memories in a dream world. Using the Psync machine, agents known as “Psyncers” use their unique ability to adapt to the dream world to investigate. In nirvanA Initiative, players will encounter more advanced dream worlds such as underwater and aerial Somnia.

However, just like the original, each Somnium is composed of multiple “mental locks,” obstacles that can be tackled in multiple ways. Psyncers can only stay within the dream world for six minutes, but time passes slower when you aren’t moving. Depending on how you proceed through a Somnium, the story may branch into different paths.

Aiba explores someone's dream in AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative

Two features to keep an eye on while roaming dreams are “Keys” and “Conscious Antibodies.” Keys are rules based on the consciousness and memories of the person you are diving into. Unlocking them will help you pinpoint which actions you will need to continue through the Somnium. On the other hand, Conscious Antibodies function as the subject’s awareness of your presence in their Somnium. These antibodies will block your way, and touching them will cost you extra time! Eliminate them to proceed through the dream world.

Lastly, let’s meet some new faces in nirvanA initiative, one of whom is voiced by none other than SungWon Cho, aka ProZD!

Introducing the Masked Restaurant Owner
Gen
VA: 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.

Amame
VA: 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.

Shoma
VA: 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.

AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative releases on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on June 24th in North America and July 8th in Europe and Oceania (a little later because of logistical delays). Stay tuned to RPGFan as we grow closer to the game’s launch!

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Tyler Trosper

Tyler Trosper

Tyler Trosper is a news writer for RPGFan. He has an unhealthy obsession with the Xeno franchise, especially Xenosaga. He runs a podcast about the series in his free time and sometimes works on fan projects. Tyler would die happy if Xenosaga Episode IV was announced. Besides Xeno, Tyler enjoys watching anime, his favorite being Neon Genesis Evangelion.

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