July 25th 2025.
When GameCentral decided to review the newest installment of AI: The Somnium Files, they had one question in mind - can the series continue to thrive without its creator, Kotaro Uchikoshi, at the helm? While video games often need to be blockbuster hits to earn a sequel, AI: The Somnium Files has managed to gain a loyal fanbase and receive new entries despite not being a household name. So, when a third game was announced at the Nintendo Switch 2 presentation, it was a pleasant surprise for fans.
However, this new game, titled No Sleep For Kaname Date, comes with a twist. Uchikoshi is no longer the lead writer, leaving the role to Kazuya Yamada. And unfortunately, this change is noticeable in the game's writing. Set in between the events of the first two games, No Sleep For Kaname Date follows the protagonist, Kaname Date, as he tries to uncover the truth behind the kidnapping of internet idol Iris. Along the way, he must navigate through a series of escape rooms and also communicate with Iris to assist with the puzzles.
The game features two main gameplay sections - investigations and escape rooms. The investigation scenes, which are similar to Ace Attorney games, focus on talking to other characters to gather information and move the plot forward. On the other hand, the escape rooms, called Somniums, take place in a dream world and require players to solve puzzles under a time limit. While these sections can be intriguing, they often rely on trial and error and lack the satisfying "aha!" moments found in Uchikoshi's previous games.
The game also introduces traditional escape rooms, which are more linear and less interesting compared to the Somniums. The puzzles in these rooms can be frustrating and unengaging, with some feeling like they were included just to make the game longer. However, the game does offer adjustable difficulty options for players of all skill levels.
Visually, the game's dream worlds are still surreal, but they lack the creativity and unique scenarios found in previous games. Additionally, the game's story and writing are lackluster, possibly due to its short length. Without Uchikoshi at the helm, the game's plot feels predictable and lacks the outrageous twists that fans have come to expect. The alternate endings, while comedic, feel forced and do not add much to the overall experience.
Despite these flaws, the game does have its moments of humor, thanks in part to the talented voice actors behind the main characters. Overall, AI: The Somnium Files - No Sleep For Kaname Date is a decent addition to the series, but it falls short compared to its predecessors.
The new AI: The Somnium Files game has caught the attention of many, with its similarities to the popular Zero Escape series and the addition of proper escape rooms. GameCentral has taken a closer look at the game, hoping to see if it can stand on its own without series creator Kotaro Uchikoshi at the helm.
It's refreshing to see a game like AI: The Somnium Files, which may not be a household name, continue to receive new entries. Despite not being a huge commercial success, both the original game and its sequel have built a dedicated fanbase over time.
So it was quite a surprise when a third installment was announced at the June Nintendo Switch presentation, making it one of the console's first games. However, this game, titled "No Sleep For Kaname Date", is not a full sequel but rather a shorter spin-off featuring the first game's protagonist, Kaname Date, back in the lead role.
What's even more surprising is that Uchikoshi, who has been the mastermind behind the series, is only involved in a supervisory role this time. This means that writing duties have been handed over to Kazuya Yamada. Unfortunately, this change is noticeable, as "No Sleep For Kaname Date" feels like a lesser version of its predecessors.
The game is set between the events of the first two games and begins with internet idol Iris being kidnapped by what appears to be an alien reptilian woman. Date, with the ability to communicate with her during the puzzles, must also uncover the truth behind her kidnapping and the possible involvement of aliens.
One of the highlights of this game is the mix of different gameplay elements. Like the previous games, it features both investigation sections and escape room challenges. However, this time the investigation scenes take a backseat and the focus is more on the escape rooms. There are also traditional escape rooms, similar to Uchikoshi's Zero Escape games, where you must use items to solve logic puzzles.
The game is divided into two main sections: investigations and Somnium sections. The latter involves diving into a person's dreams to uncover information that they may not be willing to share. These Somnium sections also have a time limit of six minutes, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay. However, you can earn TIMIEs to help reduce the time taken for interactions, which adds a new element to the gameplay.
One issue with the previous games was that the logic required to progress through the Somnium sections was not always clear, leading to trial and error. While this is still the case in "No Sleep For Kaname Date", the Somnium sections have been streamlined to make them more straightforward. However, this does not completely solve the issue and can still be frustrating at times.
The visuals in the Somnium sections are still surreal, but they feel less interesting than in previous games. There is also a lack of unique scenarios, making them less enjoyable overall. On the other hand, the new escape rooms, while structurally similar to the Somnium sections, are more linear and less engaging. The puzzles are not very fun to solve and can be quite frustrating at times.
The game offers adjustable difficulty options for players, making it more accessible for those who may be new to this type of game. However, the overall story and writing are not as strong as in previous games. This could be due to the game's short length, which leaves less time for a complex mystery to unfold. The lack of involvement from Uchikoshi, who is known for his outrageous twists and alternate timeline shenanigans, is also felt in the game's story.
The writing and dialogue in the game can be quite funny, thanks in part to the English voice acting. The voice actors for Date and his AI partner Aiba, Greg Chun and Erika Harlacher-Stone, continue to deliver great performances and add to the overall enjoyment of the game.
In conclusion, while "No Sleep For Kaname Date" may not live up to the standard set by the previous games, it still offers an enjoyable experience for fans of the series. Its mix of different gameplay elements and the addition of proper escape rooms make it a unique and entertaining game. However, the weak story and writing may leave some fans disappointed.
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