First thing I wanna note with AITSF is that I played the switch version. This is quite possibly the only switch port I've played to date that is genuinely bad (instead of just the usual "portable console has compression" complaints I've often seen). Area and new day transitions grind the frame rate to a halt, and both Aiba's AI sight images and flashback scenes in dialogue take several seconds to load at almost every occurrence beyond midgame. This is tolerable up until endgame where there's... a LOT of flashbacks and AI sight usage to recite the entire case and half of its backstory, which unfortunately did lead to some frustration as I was playing.
That being said... AITSF is still a great game, and I really enjoyed my time with it! I wasn't big on the QTEs, I felt the porn jokes got a bit repetitive (I'm fine with them, some are genuinely funny, but the same ones get used a little too much imo) and I definitely started with the wrong ending for good narrative progression, but it didn't prevent this from being a blast. The somniums are weird and wonderful, the characters shine through with their absurdist yet endearing attitudes, and the mystery itself was as grisly as it was compelling! I thought a couple of plot points could've used more exploration but it didn't have a significant impact on my enjoyment or anything. Soundtrack is also a hell of a banger, really nails the atmosphere every time. I also wanna mention that despite sharing certain staples, AITSF moves away from some of Kotaro Uchikoshi's commonly known tropes, which I personally liked as it freed up the narrative for him to test some new ideas (and even make a lighthearted parody of his old ones!)
So yeah, love this game, and tbh I'd say if the switch is your only option, it's still playable and most content runs fine, especially the somniums which are the most important due to time sensitive navigation. Just... if you have any other console or a PC that can run it, please play it on literally anything else.
That being said... AITSF is still a great game, and I really enjoyed my time with it! I wasn't big on the QTEs, I felt the porn jokes got a bit repetitive (I'm fine with them, some are genuinely funny, but the same ones get used a little too much imo) and I definitely started with the wrong ending for good narrative progression, but it didn't prevent this from being a blast. The somniums are weird and wonderful, the characters shine through with their absurdist yet endearing attitudes, and the mystery itself was as grisly as it was compelling! I thought a couple of plot points could've used more exploration but it didn't have a significant impact on my enjoyment or anything. Soundtrack is also a hell of a banger, really nails the atmosphere every time. I also wanna mention that despite sharing certain staples, AITSF moves away from some of Kotaro Uchikoshi's commonly known tropes, which I personally liked as it freed up the narrative for him to test some new ideas (and even make a lighthearted parody of his old ones!)
So yeah, love this game, and tbh I'd say if the switch is your only option, it's still playable and most content runs fine, especially the somniums which are the most important due to time sensitive navigation. Just... if you have any other console or a PC that can run it, please play it on literally anything else.
Do you like horny detectives and their weird girl partner that keeps them in line? Do you want to experience one of the most heart wrenching stories about parents and their kids? This is the one for you. Be aware it does talk about child abuse and it's effects on kids, and not so great representation on mental illness. Otherwise it's a fun game with the usual Uchikoshi weirdness.
HOOOOO GOD I WISH I COULD GIVE THIS GAME 5 STARS. I can still acknowledge that its narrative can require you to get cool with a lot of things real fast, and some of the pseudoscientific explanations might not jive with everyone, but in terms of atmosphere, this thing is MASTERFUL. Unfortunately I can't rank it 5 stars because of Moma Kumakura. I can tolerate every bit of anime bullshit but him, he just creeps me out.
My absolute favorite visual novel at the time of playing through. I actually find the characters likeable or at least interesting across the board, the story is quite well written and not too crazy like some other visual novels and I really liked the interaction between Date and Aiba. Good twists that don't seem completely pulled out of your ass, really interesting worlds to enter and great voice acting.
AI: The Somnium Files can’t seem to decide if it wants to be a riveting psychological crime thriller or a lowbrow farcical action-comedy, and the end result is tonal whiplash more intense than Borderlands 2. On paper, the surreal dream-logic puzzles are a neat idea but in practice it’s an exercise in trial-and-error, and the solution you stumble into determines the course of the plot; lucky me, I seem to have landed on the least fun route on my first go. An object lesson in the value of first impressions. I’ll probably get back to it one day, but maybe this isn’t for me.
A complete mess in regard to tone, but the narrative and the mystery is engaging with some lovable characters (except Ota) and the voice acting is good.
Although I am not in love with it, it may strike a chord with you, and if you're a fan of Zero Escape, other Spike Chunsoft titles, or Ace Attorney, I'd recommend giving this a shot.
The kills are also shockingly brutal.
Although I am not in love with it, it may strike a chord with you, and if you're a fan of Zero Escape, other Spike Chunsoft titles, or Ace Attorney, I'd recommend giving this a shot.
The kills are also shockingly brutal.
GOODNESS GRACIOUS
I found this game because I kept rolling characters from this game on Mudae. I am SO glad that I played this game. I can’t believe it’s FULLY VOICE ACTED!! Every character is unique, and I feel like there was care put into each one individually.
There is something so special about this game, how it subverts expectations, and reveals a much deeper theme than what was first on the surface.
WOWOWOWOWOW please play this game. If you’re a fan of other Spike Chunsoft games, you will LOVE AI.
Moma FTW!!!!!
I found this game because I kept rolling characters from this game on Mudae. I am SO glad that I played this game. I can’t believe it’s FULLY VOICE ACTED!! Every character is unique, and I feel like there was care put into each one individually.
There is something so special about this game, how it subverts expectations, and reveals a much deeper theme than what was first on the surface.
WOWOWOWOWOW please play this game. If you’re a fan of other Spike Chunsoft games, you will LOVE AI.
Moma FTW!!!!!