A detective with a troubled past is tasked with solving a series of gruesome murders in this gripping visual novel. Kaname Date, a former police officer, has lost his memories and left eye due to an incident six years ago. He now works alongside Aiba, an advanced AI housed in his prosthetic eye, to unravel the truth behind the crimes.
As the investigation unfolds, Date delves into the mind of the killer, known as the New Cyclops Killer, who seems to be connected to a series of mysterious events from six years ago. With each new discovery, Date's memories begin to resurface, threatening to upend his entire worldview.
The game is divided into two main parts: the real world and the dream world of Somnium. In the real world, Date explores crime scenes and interacts with suspects through a point-and-click format. Aiba's special vision modes allow him to examine the environment in ways that normal human vision cannot.
In Somnium, players take control of Aiba as he navigates the subconscious mind of victims. With a strict time limit, players must make quick decisions and solve puzzles to uncover the truth before time runs out. Each action taken will shave seconds off the clock, but some actions can be prolonged or shortened, giving players limited opportunities to change the outcome.
As players progress through the game, they'll encounter multiple solutions for certain Somnia, leading to different story paths and multiple endings. With its unique blend of detective work and psychological exploration, AI: The Somnium Files is a thrilling visual novel that challenges players to piece together the truth behind the New Cyclops Killer's sinister crimes.