AI: The Somnium Files is one of the best games of 2019. The story tackles complex themes with ease and grace, while the characters are some of the most memorable of this generation. Every twist and turn feels earned and genuinely surprising, and there are too many small but fantastic details to list. If you enjoy mature and endearing stories, look no further than AI.
AI: The Somnium Files
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Price: $60
Platform: PS4 (reviewed), Nintendo Switch, and PC
MonsterVine was supplied with a PS4 code for review.
When I previewed AI: The Somnium Files at GDC this year, I thought the game would be right up my alley. I like strange things, especially when they’re creative, and AI fits that description to a tee. Upon playing the entire game some-six months later, I’ve found it managed to somehow exceed my already heightened expectations from my time with the demo, in ways I couldn’t have expected.
You play as Kaname Date, a detective who works for ABIS; the secret government organization that uses the revolutionary PSYNC machine to delve into the dreams of others in order to solve crimes. Date has a lot going on in his life: he can’t remember his life beyond six years ago, he’s the unofficial foster parent to his old friend’s daughter, and his work partner is his fake left eye, which houses an incredibly advanced A.I. named Aiba. If this sounds like a lot to take in, it is, but AI expertly introduces its world to you in easily digestible bites.
Date is charged with solving the murder of a young woman, whose body is found on a merry-go-round sans her left eye. What starts as your average murder mystery quickly evolves into a dream-hopping adventure that juggles topics as lofty as secret societies, the Mandela Effect, how memories form a person, and much, much more. These themes are all handled exceptionally well, with each one serving its own purpose in the narrative as the story progresses. AI’s director, Kotaro Uchikosi, is no stranger to strange themes involving the scientifically-fueled supernatural, and it shows in AI’s incredible theming.
“Once you begin to figure out who the culprit is and what they’re doing, everything starts to come together in ways you wouldn’t expect.“
The mysteries that AI revolves around are brilliant as well, as I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of my time playing AI. The story has numerous branching routes, depending on your choices. This is pretty standard for Uchikosi-san’s work, and like with his previous titles, you can only truly understand the entire narrative upon experiencing every path. This is no chore though, as you have to make some truly difficult decisions to see each route. Some make you experience the death of a favorite character (or multiple), while others reveal backstories and secrets that range from heart-warming to staunchly depressing. Once you begin to figure out who the culprit is and what they’re doing, everything starts to come together in ways you wouldn’t expect. I was enthralled for the entire story, even when going through similar sections an extra time or two.
The characters of AI are excellently written, as they each stand out due to their distinct but likable (or hateable, depending on the character) personalities. From the charismatic internet idol A-Set to the fierce and hilarious Mizuki, I found every single named character (and a few unnamed ones) to be interesting at worst, and ridiculously charming at best. The majority of the cast receives extensive character development as well, making you feel as though you’ve been on numerous journeys with them all by the time AI’s staff credits roll. Aiba is worth a special mention, as she’s the perfect foil to the wonderfully goofy Date. Their interactions about even the most mundane things are some of AI’s highlights, as they bring out the best and worst in one another in the most comical ways.
The gameplay of AI is primarily experienced in two parts: adventure segments and PSYNC segments. Adventure segments have you examine and investigate environments from a first-person view, using Aiba’s special skills to see in X-Ray, heat signature, or night-vision. This is also where most of the game’s dialogue occurs, as you can question characters about significant plot points, or make corny jokes. I was pleasantly surprised at how many random, seemingly meaningless background items have jokes and quips associated with them upon inspection, especially since some of the goofiest and most entertaining lines in AI come from examining things like a speaker system or a tree. This attention to detail is commendable, as it helps make adventure segments interesting outside of the main story.
PSYNC segments are the best parts of AI, as they allow you to play as Aiba and explore the twisted and remarkably creative dreams of many of the game’s major characters. I won’t go too deeply into detail about many of the PSYNC worlds, as they truly need to be experienced first-hand, but I can say that the creativity on display is nothing short of exemplary. One dream has you explore a demented theme park, while another puts you in a seemingly endless warehouse that’s filled with shocking imagery and meta gameplay twists. You have to manage your time while PSYNCing, as you only have six minutes to get the information you need. Performing certain actions provides you with items to reduce the time it takes to do things, while others curse you with items that force you to waste additional time. It’s a balancing act that accompanies each dream rather nicely, as you never feel too safe, or too restricted if you wish to explore each dream a bit.
“I want to specifically point out that AI has a stellar soundtrack, with themes that can evoke emotions of every kind from you as you play the game.“
Visually, AI is spectacular at immersing you in its clean but shady future. Houses and sketchy bars look pretty much identical to those of today, but the advanced technology and entrancing sense of fashion that the world of AI wields give off a feeling of neon-futurism. The character designs are amazing as well, as no one looks anything close to bland or forgettable, yet no one feels overdesigned or out of place either.
I want to specifically point out that AI has a stellar soundtrack, with themes that can evoke emotions of every kind from you as you play the game. I’ve had the “Date’s Apartment” and “Hifumi” themes stuck in my head for the last few days, though almost the entire soundtrack could be mentioned in the same regard. Keisuke Itō is a master of his craft, as AI proves in spades.
The Final Word
AI: The Somnium Files is an extraordinary adventure game that has easily cemented its place as one of the year’s best games. The plot is thrilling, the characters are charming, and the atmosphere is beautifully macabre. I can’t recommend AI: The Somnium Files enough, as it’s one of the most unique and emotionally-gripping games I’ve played in years.
MonsterVine Review Score: 5 out of 5 – Excellent
Jo
October 8, 2019 at 10:16 am
Feel free to remove that screenshot with an obvious spoiler in it.