Nirvana Initiative is just about everything I could expect from a new Uchikoshi game and a follow-up to Somnium Files. As difficult as this is, I will keep this review spoiler-free. The game features a huge new cast of characters with a new serial murder case to investigate. You play as two different protagonists as you explore both new and old locations as you piece together the series of murders.

The story itself is pretty entertaining and you can definitely tell this is an Uchikoshi game, for better or for worse. It's an ambitious story that does unfortunately go on just a little bit too long with some rough pacing at times, but the payoff for your investigation is worthwhile.

There are also some new mechanics and features too. There are some third-person investigation scenes where you can re-enact scenarios in a similar way to the Danganronpa series. The Somniums themselves are also a lot less clunky and more varied, making them more unique and memorable this time around. There's also neat extras, like more incentive to find collectibles with art and costume items for your AI-Ball companion, additional trivia, and even a tamagotchi-like feature. From a technical standpoint too, this game seriously runs and plays REMARKABLY better. Menu animations are quicker and snappier and it runs pretty flawlessly.

I would say that fans of the previous game will certainly enjoy this one, and I hope we get perhaps one more game in this series to make for a trilogy as memorable as Zero Escape.