A Somnium (plural: Somnia), sometimes called a Dreamworld, is a type of world that exists within the universe of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES.
Somnia are worlds that exist within the subconsciousness of a person. They are shaped by the dreams and memories of the people in the realm of reality.
The Psync Machine allows the Psyncer to delve into the subject's Somnium and interact with their dream to find information. The appearance and nature of each Somnium is created from memories of the subject.
Somnia Mechanics[]
Mental Locks[]
Mental Locks are the core gameplay mechanic of Somnia. In order to extract the truth from the Psync subject, the Psyncer must dive as deep into their mind as possible. The subject's mind is divided into several layers, each of which is protected by a Mental Lock. As such, breaking Mental Locks is required to proceed deeper into the subject's consciousness. Every subject has several Mental Locks, with 3-5 being the standard.
TIMIEs[]
TIMIE is a core mechanic feature of Somnia. It allows the player to alter the amount of time spent on any given action, such as cutting the amount of required time in half or reducing/raising the amount of time to a fixed number. While TIMIEs can be very beneficial, there are also negative TIMIEs which increase the amount of time spent on any action-and unlike regular TIMIEs, their usage is not optional, meaning the player has to be careful when taking options that will give them negative TIMIEs.
Keys[]
Keys are a concept introduced in nirvanA Initiative. Keys serve to clarify the rules of a Somnium, or otherwise offer insight into the subject that can help to understand their dreamscape. Keys are unlocked the deeper the player gets in the Somnium. The keys are missing their information when first unlocked, but are steadily filled in as the player investigates objects.
Map[]
The map details the landscape of a Somnium. It shows all floors of the Somnium, the current location of the Psyncer, and the location of objects that can be investigated. It also shows the name of the Psync's subject and the real-world location that the Somnium is based on. nirvanA Initiative adds the Navigation ability, allowing the player to set waymarks and gauge their distance from objects.
Hidden Items/Eyeballs[]
The Hidden Items/Eyeballs are a collectable that unlock concept artwork in the FILE or in the Dream Album. They have the same design as Aiba, with a star-shaped pupil and yellow cornea, and a flesh-colored backing. The eyeballs are initially transparent, but become more solid and start emitting particles the closer that the player is to them. In the first game there is only one hidden item in each Somnium, while in nirvanA Initiative there are five hidden eyeballs in each Somnium.
Swimming/Flying[]
Swimming/Flying is an alternate way of moving in Somnium that appears in Naixatloz's Intentions and Novel Ingress. Rather than moving across the ground, as one would in the real world, the AI-Ball instead moves through the air of the Somnium, allowing for a greater exploration of the 3D space. The reason for this change in movement is tied to the Psyncer's desires or mental state: for example, Tokiko Shigure has an affinity for flowing water, and so swimming is a core component of her Somnium.
Properties of Somnia and Psyncs[]
Compatibility Rate[]
Compatibility Rates are a concept that are alluded to in the first game. The nature and effect of compatibility rates are unknown, but it is shown that if a Psyncer and subject have a low compatibility rate then it can cause strain on both the Psyncer and the Psync Machine.
Defensive Barriers[]
Defensive Barriers are a property of Somnia that appear in PSYNCIN' IN THE CURTaiN, New Investigation, and Nightmare Irreconcilable. These barriers appear when the subject desperately wants to hide information, and so erects the barrier to either push away or trap the Psyncer. The barriers in CURTaiN and New Investigation are non-permeable, and the Psyncer must break the surrounding objects in order to unlock the barrier. In Nightmare Irreconcilable, the barrier is permeable and instead unlocks more objects to interact with the more that it spreads.
Conscious Anti-Bodies[]
Conscious Anti-Bodies are a property of Somnia that can be seen in Nefarious Institute and Nonentity Incognito. Anti-bodies are a representation of the subject's caution: when the psyncer attempts to access information that the subject is trying to hide, the subject's synapse is overstimulated, and they emit norepinephrine which creates the anti-body. Touching the anti-body causes a huge delay spike in the information transfer system, quickly depleting the amount of remaining time in Somnium.
Real-time Countdown[]
Real-time Countdown is a mechanic exclusive to Neurotic Inception. The Somnium takes place in a nightmare, where the subject is constantly hunted by a terrifying figure. Whenever the subject needs to hide or sneak around, the usual slowdown of Somnium when the AI-Ball stands in place is removed, and time proceeds at a normal pace. This means the player must think quickly as to where they want to hide or move to obtain their objective.
Shadow Traits[]
Shadow Traits are a mechanic that feature prominently in New Investigation. Objects in Somnium that display shadow traits lack properties that they have in the real world: for example, fire that does not emit heat. These traits are heavily affected by the malleable, unpredictable nature of dreams, and thus cannot usually be dealt with in a conventional manner. In New Investigation, dealing with items that exhibit shadow traits is required to progress at all in the Somnium.
Somnia Levels[]
The following is a list of all playable Somnia in AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES:
Title | Subject | Psyncer | Location (Real-World) |
---|---|---|---|
SINKIN' IN THE BRaiN | Kaname Date | Aiba* | ??? (Sagan Residence) |
PSYNCIN' IN THE PaiN | Mizuki | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Merry-go-round (Bloom Park) |
PSYNCIN' IN THE VaiN | Iris Sagan | Kaname Date
Aiba |
White Remains (Chemical Plant)
Blue Remains (Chemical Plant) |
PSYNCIN' IN THE SWaiN | Ota Matsushita | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Cold Storage Warehouse |
PSYNCIN' IN THE SUSTaiN | Mayumi Matsushita | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Matsushita Diner |
PSYNCIN' IN THE CAPTaiN | Kaname Date | Mizuki | Date Residence |
PSYNCIN' IN THE CURTaiN | Inmate #89 | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Sagan Residence |
PSYNCIN' IN THE REFRaiN | Boss | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Ruined Chemical Plant |
PSYNCIN' IN THE VILLaiN | So Sejima | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Harbor Warehouse District |
PSYNCIN' IN THE MaiN: 1 | Iris Sagan | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Golden Yokocho |
PSYNCIN' IN THE MaiN: 2 | Iris Sagan | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Ikume Shrine |
PSYNCIN' IN THE MOUNTaiN | Hitomi Sagan | Kaname Date
Aiba |
Okutama Mountains |
PSYNCIN' IN THE CHaiN | Kaname Date | ??? | Psync Room and Chemical Plant |
The following is a list of all playable Somnia in AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative:
Known Psyncs[]
Throughout the story, additional Psyncs occur beyond the playable Somnia listed above. Every known Psync is listed in chronological order below.
(Note: Instances of "Kaname Date" are shorthand for "Hayato Yagyu (Host: Saito Sejima)," and use of italics indicates that the Subject and Psyncer swapped bodies.)
Subject | Psyncer | Date (Timeline) | Machine Used | Somnium Name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rohan Kumakura | Hayato Yagyu | November, 2013 | Psync Machine | N/A | |
Hayato Yagyu (Host: Rohan Kumakura) |
Saito Sejima | November, 2013 | Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Shoko Nadami | Saito Sejima (Host: Rohan Kumakura) |
Late 2018 | Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Mizuki Okiura (implied) | Kaname Date (implied) | Mar 20th-Apr 3rd, 2019 (ARG timeline) | Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE PaiN (ARG version) | |
Saito Sejima (Host: Iris Sagan) |
Mar 27th-Apr 3rd, 2019 (ARG timeline) |
Psync Machine (recording) | |||
Saito Sejima (Host: Iris Sagan) |
Unknown | Mar 27th-Apr 3rd, 2019 (implied) (ARG timeline) |
Psync Machine (implied) | This Is Your Idol | |
Renju Okiura | Saito Sejima (Host: Shoko Nadami) |
November 1st, 2019 | Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Mizuki Okiura | Kaname Date | November 2nd, 2019 | Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE PaiN | |
Iris Sagan | Saito Sejima (Host: Renju Okiura) |
November 2nd, 2019 (Branch A) |
Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Saito Sejima
(Host: Iris Sagan) |
Kaname Date | November 3rd, 2019 (Branch A) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE VaiN | |
So Sejima | Saito Sejima (Host: Iris Sagan) |
November 3rd, 2019 (Branch A) |
Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Ota Matsushita | Kaname Date | November 4th, 2019 (Branch AA) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE SWaiN | |
Shizue Kuranushi | Saito Sejima (Host: So Sejima) |
November 5th, 2019 (Ota Branch) |
Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Mayumi Matsushita | Kaname Date | November 5th, 2019 (Ota Branch) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE SUSTaiN | |
Kaname Date | Mizuki Okiura | November 6th, 2019 (Mizuki Branch) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE CAPTaiN | |
Shizue Kuranushi | Saito Sejima (Host: So Sejima) |
November 4th, 2019 (Annihilation Branch) |
Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Rohan Kumakura
(Host: Hayato Yagyu) |
Kaname Date | November 4th, 2019 (Annihilation Branch) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE CURTaiN | |
Saito Sejima
(Host: Shizue Kuranushi) |
Kaname Date | November 5th, 2019 (Annihilation Branch) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE REFRaiN | |
Saito Sejima (Host: Shizue Kuranushi) |
Kaname Date | November 5th, 2019 (Annihilation Branch) |
Psync Machine | N/A | |
So Sejima | Kaname Date | November 3rd, 2019 (Branch B) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE VILLaiN | |
Rohan Kumakura (Host: Hayato Yagyu) |
Saito Sejima (Host: Renju Okiura) |
November 4th, 2019 (Branch B) |
Prototype Psync Machine | N/A | |
Iris Sagan | Kaname Date | November 4th, 2019 (Branch B) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE MaiN: 1 | |
Iris Sagan | Kaname Date | November 5th, 2019 (Iris Branch) |
Prototype Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE MaiN: 2 | |
Hitomi Sagan | Kaname Date | November 5th, 2019 (Resolution Branch) |
Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE MOUNTaiN | |
Kaname Date | Saito Sejima (Host: Hayato Yagyu) |
November 6th, 2019 (Resolution Branch) |
Prototype Psync Machine | PSYNCIN' IN THE CHaiN | |
The rest of these continue off Resolution End from the original game: | |||||
Chikara Horadori | Kuruto Ryuki | February 11th, 2020 | Psync Machine | Nefarious Institute | |
Gen Ishiyagane | Mizuki Kuranushi | February 12th, 2020 | Psync Machine | Necessary Intervention | |
Yoneharu Enda | Kuruto Ryuki | February 13th, 2020 | Psync Machine | Need Info | |
Shoma Enda | Kuruto Ryuki | February 14th, 2020 (Komeji/Shoma Branch) |
Psync Machine | Nested Insecurities | |
Uru Somezuki | Mizuki Kuranushi | February 14th, 2020 (Explosion Branch) |
Prototype Psync Machine | Nonentity Incognito | |
Iris Sagan | Kuruto Ryuki | February 15th, 2020 (Explosion Branch) |
Psync Machine | Nemesis Identified | |
Kuruto Ryuki | Mizuki Date | February 10th, 2026 (Explosion Branch) |
Psync Machine | New Investigation | |
Kizuna Chieda | Mizuki Date | February 11th, 2026 (Explosion Branch) |
Psync Machine | Nostalgic Idol | |
Tokiko Shigure | Kuruto Ryuki | February 12th, 2026 (Explosion Branch) |
Psync Machine | Naixatloz's Intentions | |
Mizuki Kuranushi | Mizuki Date | February 13th, 2026 (Explosion Branch) |
Psync Machine | Neurotic Inception | |
Lien Twining | Mizuki Date | February 14th, 2026 (Gen/Amame/Kizuna/Lien Branches) |
Psync Machine | Novel Ingress | |
Amame Doi | Kuruto Ryuki | February 14th, 2026 (Resolution Branch) |
Psync Machine | Nearly Interesting | |
Amame Doi | Mizuki Date | February 15th, 2026 (Resolution Branch) |
Psync Machine | Nightmare Irreconcilable |
Trivia[]
- The name of the Somnia in AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES are references to the 1929 song, and the 1952 film it inspired, named "Singin' in the Rain." The word "singin'" is swapped for "psyncin'" (with one exception swapping it for "sinkin'"), the last word is replaced with a rhyme to "rain," and all the letters are capitalized except for the "ai" vowel pair at the end of the phrase.[1]
- The main soundtrack for the game, REVERIES IN THE RaiN, keeps the word "rain" at the end, while switching "Singin'" for "Reveries."
- The name of the Somnia in AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative are two-word phrases that have an acronym of "NI", referencing Nirvana Initiative and/or the number 2 (二, Ni), itself a reference to the game's status as the 2nd entry and/or the main thematic number of the game.
- Currently, there are only six locations that can be visited in the real world of THE SOMNIUM FILES that do not have a corresponding Somnium world: Boss's Office, Kumakura Office, Lemniscate Entertainment Offices, Central Hospital, Marble, and Sekiba High. Marble appeared as part of Golden Yokocho in one Somnium though.
- Interrogation Room, Sunfish Pocket and Sejima Residence did not have a Somnium world in the game they were introduced in, but did receive one in the sequel.
- Sekiba High is the only location introduced in nirvanA Initiative that does not have a corresponding Somnium world.
[]
References[]
- ↑ Singin' in the Rain on Wikipedia