AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is a detective adventure by Spike Chunsoft. In a futuristic Tokyo, police officer Kaname Date investigates a murder case in which a woman had an eye removed. Together with the artificial intelligence Aiba, he follows traces at the crime scene, questions suspects and explores their dreams.

The story combines criminal investigations with mysterious dream worlds. Decisions made while solving the puzzles open different story paths and lead to multiple endings.

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES was released on Sep 17, 2019 for PC and digitally in North America for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The Japanese console versions followed on Sep 19, 2019, and the European editions for PS4 and Switch on Sep 20, 2019.

On Sep 30, 2021, a version for Xbox One was also released.

The detective adventure was released natively for PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. The PS4 version can also be played on PS5 via backward compatibility. The Xbox One version is also playable on Xbox Series X|S. This does not create separate native PS5 or Xbox Series versions.

On Nintendo Switch, handheld, tabletop and TV modes as well as the Pro Controller are available.

The investigation alternates between two styles of play. In the real world, Date searches locations, talks to witnesses and uses special visual functions of his artificial eye. Through a technical connection he dives into the dreams of people, to find clues that can't be figured out in an interrogation.

In the dream sections, objects and characters are linked together in unusual ways. The choice of actions changes the path through the dream.

The Steam version requires at least an Intel Core i7-3770 at 3.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 with 2 GB video memory, DirectX 11 and 20 GB of free storage. The original Windows requirement is older than the requirements now in force for the Steam client, which needs Windows 10 or newer.

In each Somnium, Date has a six-minute window to decode the dream world. Actions and paths use up time. Whoever recognizes the right connections first gets to new memories and information.

The dream worlds don't follow everyday logic. That's why it's not only about quick reactions, but above all about understanding the rules of each environment.

Kaname Date works as an investigator for the Advanced Brain Investigation Squad (ABIS). His left eye was replaced by a prosthesis, in which the artificial intelligence Aiba lives. She helps him analyze traces and accompanies him into the dream worlds.

In the Somnia, Aiba takes on human form. This perspective shapes many puzzles, because Date and Aiba take on different roles within the investigation.

The cast includes Date's superior Boss, the technician Pewter and the young internet personality Iris Sagan. Mizuki Okiura, Iris' mother Hitomi and Ota Matsushita also play a role in the investigation. Conversations and relationships between the characters determine which clues Date receives.

Date can question suspects and examine crime scenes using three special visual functions. Classic detective work and the abilities of his artificial eye complement each other. The results of the investigation lead to new conversation options and further dream sequences.

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is more than a straightforward criminal case. Depending on how the dream puzzles are solved, the story branches. Different routes show further perspectives on characters and events. Only the interplay of these storylines makes the bigger puzzle make sense.

The story comes from Kotaro Uchikoshi, who previously helped shape the Zero Escape games, among others. Yusuke Kozaki handled the character design. Both influences show in the branching puzzles, the shifting tones and the distinctive character portraits.

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is a purely single-player adventure. The Nintendo Switch version supports TV, tabletop and handheld modes. A demo is also available on Nintendo Switch, so you can try out the first investigations.

The game features English and Japanese voice acting, and on-screen text in English, Japanese and traditional Chinese. A German text version is not included.