In Escape, take control of internet idol Iris Sagan, also known as A-set, who has been trapped in a locked room. Your goal is to solve the puzzles scattered throughout the room and find a way out. As the story progresses, Ota Matsushita, a huge fan and friend of Iris, will appear as a playable character to take on the challenges of this dangerous escape game.
In Escape segments featuring Ota, you switch between Iris and Ota to solve puzzles in the locked room. Although they are separated, information and items obtained by one can be essential for the other’s escape. By alternating between them, gather clues and combine their findings to free both of them.
■ Returning Characters
Ota Matsushita (voiced by Zach Aguilar in English, Natsumi Fujiwara in Japanese)
A devoted fan and friend of Iris. He met Date during the previous case. Until recently he was unemployed, but now he runs his family’s restaurant, “Matsushita Diner,” by himself. Following Iris, he also becomes a playable character in Escape segments.
Mizuki Date (voiced by Corina Boettger in English, Tomoyo Kurosawa in Japanese)
A sixth-grader who serves as the president of Lemniscate, the talent agency that represents Iris. Her last name used to be Okiura, but after a certain incident, she was adopted by Kaname Date. She possesses incredible physical strength.
Kuruto Ryuki (voiced by Stephen Fu in English, Atsushi Tamaru in Japanese) / Tama (voiced by Anairis Quinones in English, Ai Kakuma in Japanese)
Ryuki is a reserved and cool-headed investigator newly assigned to ABIS. Like Date, he is a “Psyncer” who enters dream worlds to conduct investigations, and he has the AI-Ball Tama equipped in his left eye. Ryuki was one of the main protagonists in the previously released game, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative. This installment portrays his early days as a rookie.
Moma Kumakura (voiced by Kaiji Tang in English, Wataru Takagi in Japanese)
As the leader of the Kumakura Family, an organization that views itself as “a gang with morals,” he’s deeply connected to the underworld and sometimes has access to information even the police don’t. He’s also a secret fan of Iris, with a passion that rivals even Ota’s.
■ Incorporates Gameplay Mechanics From Previous Installments in the Series
This installment is set after the events of the first game, AI: The Somnium Files. However, it also incorporates gameplay features that were first introduced in the sequel, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative, which takes place later in the series timeline.
Investigation: Wink Psync
Wink Psync is a simplified version of Psyncing used during Investigations to peek into the mind of the person in front of you. By using Wink Psync, you can uncover lies or learn about a person’s worries or hidden secrets when regular conversation yields little results. In this game, it is still an experimental technology used by Kaname Date and Aiba.
Somnium: Key Rules
In Somnium, you enter the dreams of people involved in a case to uncover hidden truths. Each dream world is governed by a set of Key Rules, or Keys. By deciphering these rules, you can grasp the logic of that world, making it easier to choose actions that lead to the truth. At first, the Keys appear blank, but as you progress, the sentences explaining them gradually fill in. In the early stages, experimentation and trial-and-error are essential for discovering the rules. Later, it becomes crucial to act in accordance with the completed Key Rules.
■ Nintendo Switch 2 Physical Version
Nintendo Switch 2 physical version will be released as a game-key card. The game will be downloaded the first time you play. This requires:
An internet connection (required when you launch the game for the first time).
10GB free space (additional free space may be required for updates, etc.).
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files is due out for Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam on July 25.
