Current Events > Finished Ai: Nirvana Initiative *spoilers*

(+) Yeah! (+)

I enjoyed it overall, but nowhere near as much as the first game. In fact, I think being a sequel does it more harm than good, because I don't necessarily like how it handled some characters from the first game, and the overall plot could definitely have worked as a new IP.

Speaking of characters, the new ones weren't particularly interesting. AITSF really made you grow attached to the characters, but I don't feel like I really spent enough time with any of the characters here for that to happen. It's indicative of a larger issue with the narrative as a whole, which is that you basically just go through the same list of places checking in on the characters there, a plot point happens, then back to the list of places. It never really felt like there was a strong narrative, just perpetual investigating with minor developments. Oftentimes I found myself just waiting for the inevitable twist that would hopefully make things interesting.

As for the twist...it was underwhelming, but I didn't figure it out beforehand. It's not my first Uchikoshi rodeo so even from the start of the game I didn't just accept the fact that the two timelines were actually occurring six years apart at face value. I figured Ryuki was just an unreliable narrator, and once TC-Perge/his condition was introduced it seemed obvious that he was confusing events from the past from the future. But I didn't expect the same for Mizuki's side too.

Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting twist but I just feel like it didn't do much other than make some of the already weak narrative more comprehensible. The way it was just mentioned by Mama through the fourth wall definitely didn't do the reveal any favors in terms of excitement. And like... there are so many contrivances necessary for it to work. Ever17 had a similar issue, but I at least felt the payoff with the twist there was worth it so it was much easier to accept them as a necessity. Here...not quite as much, although I do think it will be interesting to re-read it at some point and see all of the various ways it was foreshadowed in a new light. If nothing else, it's very ambitious and I respect the attempt, it just didn't nail it.

On a more positive note, I found the mystery very compelling, especially early on. NAIX was great and an embodiment of many of the aspects I love about Uchikoshi games. The reveal behind the two halves of Jin's body was so stupidly funny in the best way. Somnium segments were improved. Even if I don't think it holds up as an overall story nearly as well as the first, it was still a fun ride.

MordecaiRocks posted...

THE SECRETARY OF ABSOLUTE DEFENSE

I just think he looks cooler than Rigby because I like Blue Jays

Kizuna and Lien really contributed nothing to the plot, huh.

The somniums in the first game were more memorable and felt more tied into the plot. Iris's in particular. The one where she's dying and her theme is playing in the background while you try to find the fruit of immortality is one of my favourite parts of the first.

You're right about the second IMO. It's not bad but it's not as good and felt inconsequential. I didn't really care for the near characters (although blockheads somnium was alright). Best part of the second game was everything relating to Amame

Kloe_Rinz posted...

The somniums in the first game were more memorable and felt more tied into the plot. Iris's in particular. The one where she's dying and her theme is playing in the background while you try to find the fruit of immortality is one of my favourite parts of the first.

You're right about the second IMO. It's not bad but it's not as good and felt inconsequential. I didn't really care for the near characters (although blockheads somnium was alright). Best part of the second game was everything relating to Amame

Yeah for sure. The somniums felt pretty shoehorned into this game. They felt better to play mechanically because they were more intuitive but largely were unnecessary and mostly uninteresting. I did enjoy the Zero Escape themed Tearer one though.

It is for sure weaker than the first game but still enjoyed it. New characters were weak though. I kinda liked shoma but kizuna and lien were boring