Yesterday’s Nintendo Direct event unveiled a treasure trove of announcements that particularly delighted PC enthusiasts. Among the highlights were a surprise remaster of Saga Frontier 2, a remake of a beloved PlayStation 2 Shin Megami Tensei spinoff, and the exciting news of a next-gen Super Robot Wars game making its way to PC in English. However, the true gem for fans of narrative-driven gaming was the reveal of No Sleep For Kaname Date, the latest installment in the dream-diving detective series, AI: The Somnium Files, set to launch just before my birthday this July on Steam.
Returning to the Dreamscape
The eccentric dream-detective Kaname Date, who was notably absent in the second game, is back to tackle his usual challenges. This time, he is once again tasked with rescuing the frequently endangered Vtuber Iris Sagan, also known as A-Set. One might suggest she should consider some form of insurance against her recurring predicaments.
For newcomers to the franchise, these games are immersive, story-driven point-and-click adventures set in a near-future Japan. Players follow Kaname Date, the lead detective at a quirky agency that solves crimes by diving into the dreams of victims, witnesses, and suspects, aided by his witty AI companion, Aiba, who resides within his cybernetic prosthetic eye—an Ai-Ball, if you will. The games embrace a certain goofiness, inviting players to navigate the often nonsensical nature of dreams.
While dreams can be a chaotic mix of illogical scenarios, players can unravel intricate threads of memory and solve puzzles to uncover hidden or suppressed thoughts that serve as clues to the overarching mystery. This time around, Spike Chunsoft has teased the inclusion of ‘real-world’ escape rooms, which promise to challenge players with puzzles that adhere to a slightly more coherent logic than those found in the dream sequences.
Interestingly, the series’ writer and director from the first game, Kotaro Uchikoshi, has taken on a new role as ‘assistant scenario director’ for this installment. Kazuya Yamada, who previously served as sub-director, is stepping up as the primary writer and development lead. While it’s reassuring to see familiar talent within the team, there is a lingering concern that the absence of Uchikoshi’s unique narrative style may alter the experience.
As a returning fan, I am particularly curious about the potential expansion of the B-plot from the previous game, The Nirvana Initiative. Without giving too much away, this subplot offered an engaging optional mystery, albeit one that flirted with breaking the fourth wall. Will it remain merely an easter egg, or will it serve as a foundation for the next chapter? I eagerly anticipate the answers on July 25th. In the meantime, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring the first two games, which are delightfully bizarre, unapologetically infused with anime tropes, and offer a captivating gaming experience.
