As a big fan of the Zero Escape series, I went into AI: The Somnium Files with a wealth of expectations. Thankfully, in just about every way, it met my expectations and then some.

AI is an engaging, hilarious, absolutely entertaining mystery thriller, with some absolutely bonkers moments that are balanced out by an endearing and likable cast.

The gameplay itself is really enjoyable too and adds a new layer to the traditional room escape gameplay of the zero escape titles. While it removes traditional puzzles, it weaves in new logic based brain teasers, where you have ti figure out how things will react in the nonsensical dreamscapes.

The character models are all crisp and look wonderful. While the facial movements of the portraits could be seen as robotic and stiff, there's still a lot of personality to them I feel and the voice acting is exceptionally good.

I think that AI: The Somnium Files finds itself a step above Zero Escape, simply because it's got a much more well rounded mood. It hits higher highs and lower lows emotionally. It may not be as deep, or as thought provoking, but it strikes a much harder emotional chord.