AI: The Somnium Files

AI: The Somnium Files tells an often engrossing tale. It takes a couple of hours to really get going, but when it does, it blossoms into one of the most impressively executed visual novels on PS4. A range of characters, both surprisingly deep and brilliantly stupid, elevate an already intriguing and smartly paced story. It's just a shame that the dream sequences, with their frustratingly obscure puzzle solving, can really put a dampener on the experience.

While the story and characters of AI: The Somnium Files are both great, the presentation itself lacks the same polish when it comes to the 3D models. There are some interesting action sequences that are instead acted out offscreen while the camera pans elsewhere and many of the sight gags lack any real visual cues. Thankfully, the writing more than makes up for this, so often times it’s best to consider The Somnium Files to be more like a visual novel with some extra animations thrown in.

I wouldn’t blame anyone for being disappointed with AI: The Somnium Files. Everything is so cinematic that player input feels close to pointless — from mysteries being solved through flashbacks to easily solved puzzles. Yet in the end, it’s easy to forget about silly annoyances. The visuals, voice acting, and writing completely distracted me. I’m a sucker for a decent story, and this one deserves attention.