AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES
In a near-future Tokyo, detective Kaname Date is on the case of a mysterious serial killer. Date must investigate crime scenes as well as dreams on the hunt for clues. From the mind of Kotaro Uchikoshi (Zero Escape series director), with character design by the Yusuke Kozaki (NO MORE HEROES, Fire Emblem series), a thrilling neo-noir detective adventure is about to unfold. STORY One rainy night in November, a woman's body is found at an abandoned theme park, mounted on a merry-go-round horse. She had been stabbed repeatedly, and her left eye was gouged out. Kaname Date of the Metropolitan Police Department arrives on the scene. He recognizes the woman. Suddenly, he hears a noise from inside the merry-go-round. He breaks into the merry-go-round's central column to find a young girl. And in her hands, she grips a bloody ice pick…
Game Discussion
Steam User 12
🎮 AI: The Somnium Files – Review
✔️ Recommended, especially on sale ૮ • ﻌ - ა
The game starts off slowly, and the tone can be off-putting at first. The constant sex jokes often feel more cringe than funny, and the early pacing may test your patience. I personally struggled to continue after the first route (red).
Glad I gave this game another try: if you stick with it, the story gradually unfolds into something clever, layered, and unexpectedly moving.
The characters initially come across as clichés (the idol, the otaku, the hot but problematic Boss etc.) , but over time they evolve and become surprisingly relatable.
Aiba stands out as a brilliant presence — sharp, witty, and emotionally compelling in ways you don’t expect from an AI eyeball.
Beneath the absurd humor and over-the-top scenarios, the game tackles genuinely important themes: loss, degenerative illness, parenthood, and the weight of personal responsibility.
By the time the final pieces fall into place, it leaves you with more than just a mystery solved — it leaves something meaningful.
📌 If you’re aiming for 100%, I highly recommend using a guide for achievements (some of them are easy to miss and not always intuitive).
Steam User 12
I dont often go out of my way to write reviews but my god does this game deserve it
without hyperbole I said to myself "what the **** is happening" about 6 distinct times throughout my playtime.
and somehow it lays itself out in such a way that you don't get lost and can string everything together by the end.
some genuinely good writing too, some scenes had me on the verge of tears and others had me outloud laughing to myself.
Kaname date may be one of my new fave characters. love my pathetic detective.
Steam User 12
This plot is insane. At times it feels like the writers are trying to extract my soul from my body. Playing this for extended periods makes my brain feel like it's melting out my ears.
I cannot recommend this enough, 12/10.
Steam User 14
I love detective adventure games. I don't love visual novels. I saw that people wrote that this game is very interactive and makes you feel like a detective. They're wrong (or at least exaggerate). It is very much a visual novel with some parts somewhat interactive.
Still, the story was intriguing enough for me to finish the whole game, which is an achievement of itself.
Steam User 10
this is one of my all-time favorite games!! it's stylish, the characters are all memorable, and the story is very good - very much how a kotaro uchikoshi story usually is.
it doesn't take itself too seriously and the humor is a nice break from the serious atmosphere presented by the story, without feeling too out of place. i would totally recommend it and can't wait for no sleep for kaname date!
the puzzles themselves aren't insanely difficult but they have you thinking outside of the box at times, even prompting you to make decisions for yourself to determine the outcome.
it goes on sale all the time, too, so please give it a chance if you've been thinking about it!
Steam User 11
I bought this game due to a friend vouching for it. I was unsure at first, but now I can't stop thinking about this game.
While I trusted my friend's opinion, I was still skeptical. At first, I found it hard to resonate with the characters and its wacky comedic elements. I felt as if it was too jarring given the serious nature of the plot. I thought that I could never feel attached to the characters.
I was wrong. So very wrong.
This game was amazing. The characters are so memorable. I loved the story-telling and of course, the comedy. The characters were strange, but that's what made them all so memorable.
As for the main story, I did not expect such an intriguing plot. I was at the edge of my seat, wondering where the story would go and who was behind it all.
The gameplay is pretty standard for a visual novel, nothing to complain. Puzzles were at an appropriate level of difficulty. (Also please inspect EVERYTHING, you will get a lot of funny dialogue that adds more personality and life into the characters)
In short, please give this game a chance. It may confuse you at first, but stick with it. You will find yourself loving it.
Steam User 10
This game is peak.
Utter peak.
The writing is great, the characters are so good. The mystery is so fun to unravel.