Each gameplay section, known as a Somnium, takes place inside the dreams of someone you’re trying to extract information from. The gameplay is not something that many people would choose to talk about in a visual novel, but I think the gameplay sections in this game are just wonderful. I played the game in English, and was satisfied with every single performance. Each character is expressive and well modelled. Returning characters are given a facelift, too. New characters such as Ryuki are blessed with phenomenal character design from Yusuke Kozaki, and they are translated into the game perfectly. So you end up with two halves of a game: new characters with fun and interesting dynamics with returning characters in a heart-wrenching and thought provoking mystery on one side – and on the other side, a weird mess of poor action scenes and goofy fan-service.īut the upgrades present in NirvanA Initiative from the original game cannot be understated. Why even bring them back at that point? Why the hell are you here again? The main cast of the first game regularly show up in this game – but it feels like their development has been completely reversed or forgotten. The inconsistency also comes in with how strangely the returning cast is treated. Placing this after an emotional low-point just feels wrong. It is stupidly over-the-top and consistently utilises stupid gimmicks to push the plot forward. The worst example is in the final fight scene. Sometimes, an intense emotional scene will be followed up with a comical, goofy action scene that just… doesn’t land? They feel inappropriate and repetitive. On the other hand, NirvanA Initiative consistently takes deep dives into the obscene and ridiculous. The emotional weight of Ryuki’s mental illness is very confronting. Watching Tama try and support Ryuki as his mental health slips away becomes harder and harder to watch as it gets more intense.

Confronting portrayals of broken homes, emotional trauma and mental health problems are written perfectly in this game. At times, NirvanA Initiative has me in tears with how poignant it can be. NirvanA Initiative has a consistency problem when it comes to its writing. However – it’s hard to say that NirvanA Initiative is always putting its best foot forward. A mysterious new protagonist and a seemingly nonsensical mystery featuring returning characters to keep the old time fans happy sounds like a recipe for success. This premise is great, and I think it’s the perfect setup for the sequel to AI: The Somnium Files. Aiba, her partner, has years of experience under her belt, meaning that her investigations with Mizuki are much more productive and interesting. She has her own problems relating to their conflicted past – but she is considerably more stable than Ryuki, and approaches situations with a level of enthusiasm that he doesn’t. Mizuki is a wonderful contrast to the struggles of Ryuki. In the first game, Mizuki was only twelve years old. On the other hand, Mizuki is a bundle of joy. By playing as the new character first, NirvanA Initiative is able to lay the groundwork for a new mystery while also creating intrigue around what happened to the unstable main character. The game locks you into playing as Ryuki first, and he becomes an effective stand-in for the audience. Tama, his digital eyeball partner, is a snarky big sister kind of character – but she also expresses serious concerns for Ryuki, and tries to force him to get help. He suffers from delusions and near-crippling depression. Ryuki and Tama have a fascinating dynamic. These two perspectives are fresh and creative.

As the stories expand out, a colourful cast of characters are shown from the perspectives of two wildly different people. To make matters worse, a cult is preaching about how the world is a simulation – a game meant to be broken. As bodies appear in the past, they start to appear in the future too. The game shows the murders from these two perspectives. Ryuki and Tama on the left, Mizuki and Aiba on the right. Six years into the future, Mizuki Date finds the other half. A man has been split in half, and then his body has exploded. Through him, we are introduced to this game’s mystery: the Half Body killings. The player is dropped into the shoes of Kuruto Ryuki – a young and promising detective. NirvanA Initiative starts on a unique premise that is similar to the previous game.

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