New Investigation

Reverse:

* Kuruto Ryuki
* Tama

## Chapters

* Alone (Branch B)

*-Dispel Ryuki's hallucinations and find the truth!-*
*"Ryuki is trapped by hallucinations. Help him overcome them and discover the truth."*
—Somnium description
**New Investigation** is a dreamworld in *AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative*. It is based on Kuruto Ryuki's dream of the Interrogation Room and the Cathedral, and Mizuki Date's dream of the Date Residence.

It is a combination of two Somnium worlds created using the Psync Machine on Ryuki and briefly Reverse Psyncing into Mizuki's dream. Mizuki investigated Ryuki's Somnium in order to uncover more information about the Half Body Serial Killings from 6 years ago.

## Mental Locks

### Mental Lock #1

The Somnium begins in the **Interrogation Room** with two objects to interact with: the **Two-way Mirror** and the **Chair**. Because the Interrogation Room serves as a tutorial for Somnium, nothing in the room costs time or gives TIMIEs, so the player is free to either interact with what they wish or head straight towards the correct answer, which is *Sit* on the **Chair**. This will cause **Ryuki** to appear as an object with three options; *Slap him awake*, *Tell me about the HB case*, and *Appeal to his emotions*. *Slap him awake* will leave Ryuki with slap marks that persist through the scene, but otherwise the player can just pick the correct answer of *Tell me about the HB case*.

The player will be moved to the **Date Residence**, where there is only one interaction: *Inspect* on the **Stew**. This will prompt *Mysterious Voice (M)* to ask the player **Do you know the culprit?**. The Somnium will branch depending on the player's answer:

#### A: Remember the case

For Branch A, the player must reply with *I don't know.* This will move the player out of the **Date Residence** and into the **Cathedral**, and Mental Lock #1 will be unlocked.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #1 Branch A:

* *Sit* on **Chair** (0s) -> *Tell me about the HB case* on **Ryuki** (0s) -> *Inspect* on **Stew** (0s) -> *I don't know.* on **Do you know the culprit?** (0s)

#### B: Remind them of 莠倶ｻｶ縺ｮ縺薙→

For Branch B, the player must reply with *I know.*, and then input the full name of the culprit.

This will cause the Somnium to glitch and move the player out of the **Date Residence** and into the **Cathedral**. Mental Lock #1 will be unlocked while Mental Locks #4 and #5 are discovered by Aiba.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #1 Branch B:

* *Sit* on **Chair** (0s) -> *Tell me about the HB case* on **Ryuki** (0s) -> *Inspect* on **Stew** (0s) -> *I know.* on **Do you know the culprit?** (0s)

### Mental Lock #2

#### A: Close in on Ryuki

Aiba will explain that the frozen time in the Interrogation Room has now passed, and the 360-second timer is now in play. When the player tries to approach Ryuki, a defensive barrier is put up that leaves only two objects to interact with: the **Torch** and the **Brazier**. The **Torch** does not need to be interacted with, while the **Brazier** needs to be interacted with twice, once to *Inspect* and unlock the *Breathe in* option, and the second to use the *Breathe in* option itself. This will dissolve the barrier and allow the player to interact with **Ryuki**, who only has *Talk* as an option.

Once talked to, Ryuki will put up a second defensive barrier, which again will offer two options to interact with. TIMIEs are now in play at this point. The **Brandy** has three options: *Puke*, which costs 54 seconds and gives a 1/3 TIMIE; *Inspect*, which costs 5 seconds and gives a =20 TIMIE; and *Drink*, which costs 27 seconds and gives a 1/2 TIMIE. The **Evolver** also has three options: *Shoot Ryuki!*, which costs 42 seconds and gives a 1/5 TIMIE; *Inspect it!*, which costs 5 seconds and gives a =10 TIMIE; and *Shoot yourself!*, which costs 45 seconds and gives 1/2 TIMIE. While *Shoot Ryuki!* has an excellent TIMIE, it's not worth it for the time spent. However, *Inspect it!* has a good TIMIE at very little cost, which is worth it to grab. This TIMIE can then be used on the correct option, *Shoot yourself!* on the **Evolver**. This will unlock the second Mental Lock of Branch A.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #2 Branch A:

* *Inspect* on **Brazier** (5s) -> *Breathe in* on **Brazier** (18s) -> *Talk* on **Ryuki** (25s) -> *Shoot yourself!* on **Evolver** (45s, 1/2)

An optimal usage of TIMIE would be:

* *Inspect* on **Brazier** (5s) -> *Breathe in* on **Brazier** (18s) -> *Talk* on **Ryuki** (25s) -> *Inspect it!* on **Evolver** (5s, =10) -> *Shoot yourself!* on **Evolver** (45s[=10], 1/2)

#### B: Return Ryuki to sanity

From this point on, **Shadow Ryukis** will be a constant threat in the Somnium. If one of them touches Aiba, she will be shunted to the **Darkness**, and the player will have to waste 36-54 seconds getting her back out. Aiba tries to follow the real Ryuki and a defensive barrier is set up, with a Shadow Ryuki inside and one object to interact with. The **False Eye** has *Call for Tama* which costs 30 seconds and nets a =20 TIMIE, *Impression of Tama*, which costs 15 seconds but forces a x2 TIMIE on you, and *Throw it*, which costs 18 seconds and gives a 1/3 TIMIE. *Throw it* can be selected to use its TIMIE on *Call for Tama*, but doing so will only save a couple of seconds, so it's fine to just select *Call for Tama* and unlock the second Mental Lock.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #2 Branch B:

* *Call for Tama* on **False Eye** (30s, =20)

An optimal usage of TIMIE would be:

* *Throw it* on **False Eye** (18s, 1/3) -> *Call for Tama* on **False Eye** (30s[1/3], =20)

### Mental Lock #3

#### A: Get Ryuki

Following Ryuki will have him once more put up a defensive barrier, this time with three **Ryukis** to interact with. Each Ryuki has an *Inspect* option that costs 5 seconds and gives a =20 TIMIE. **Ryuki A** has *Agree with him*, which costs 30 seconds and gives a 1/4 TIMIE, and *Kick him*, which costs 20 seconds and gives a 1/2 TIMIE. **Ryuki B** has *Pet him*, which costs 18 seconds and gives a 1/6 TIMIE, and *Beat him up!*, which costs 35 seconds and gives a 1/6 TIMIE. **Ryuki C** has *Kick him*, which costs 40 seconds and gives a 1/2 TIMIE, and *Cheer him up*, which costs 12 seconds and gives a 1/2 TIMIE. The previous Mental Lock gave a 1/2 TIMIE which is adequate to use on the correct option, *Agree with him* on **Ryuki A**.

After the Ryukis are dealt with, there is one more item to interact with in the Somnium. The **Police ID** only has one option, *Pick up*, and the TIMIE gained from Ryuki A cannot be used. Simply pick it up and the third Mental Lock will open, ending Branch A of the Somnium.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #3 Branch A:

* *Agree with him* on **Ryuki A** (30s, 1/4) -> *Pick up* on **Police ID** (38s)

An optimal usage of TIMIE would be:

* *Agree with him* on **Ryuki A** (30s[1/2], 1/4) -> *Pick up* on **Police ID** (38s)

#### B: Remind them of real justice

The Mental Lock begins with only **Ryuki** to interact with. Talking to him moves the player to **Boss's Office**, where they are given three options to cheer up **Ryuki**: *Cheer up with Mario*, *Cheer up with coffee*, and *Cheer up with Jack-o-Lantern*. Choosing *Cheer up with Jack-o-Lantern* will equip the Jack-o-Lantern to Aiba, which is one part of the "An Awkward Halloween" achievement. Otherwise, the correct option is *Cheer up with coffee*, which will unlock the Mental Lock and move the player back to the **Cathedral**. None of the options in this Mental Lock give TIMIEs or can have TIMIEs used on them.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #3 Branch B:

* *Talk* on **Ryuki** (25s) -> *Cheer up with coffee* on **Ryuki** (9s)

If the player is also aiming for the "An Awkward Halloween" achievement:

* *Talk* on **Ryuki** (25s) -> *Cheer up with Jack-o-Lantern* on **Ryuki** (9s) -> *Cheer up with coffee* on **Ryuki** (9s)

### Mental Lock #4 - Tell them to get ready

In contrast to Mental Lock #3 B, Mental Lock #4 is long and has a lot to interact with. It starts with Aiba inside a second defensive barrier, with two Shadow Ryukis wandering around and two objects to interact with. **Torch** has *Throw it*, which costs 11 seconds and gives a 1/5 TIMIE, and *Breathe out*, which costs 22 seconds and gives a 1/5 TIMIE. **Evolver** has *Shoot yourself*, which costs 45 seconds, *Shoot Ryuki*, which costs 42 seconds, and *Fire a warning shot*, which costs 15 seconds, with every option giving a =20 TIMIE. While the 1/5 TIMIEs are tempting, using the =20 TIMIE from the previous Mental Lock on the correct option, *Shoot Ryuki*, will cost as much time as grabbing one of the 1/5s.

Choosing correctly will progress the Mental Lock and shift the defensive barrier to a different position, where four Shadow Ryukis and three points of interaction await. **Shoe** has *Smell*, which costs 22 seconds and gives a 1/6 TIMIE, *Wear*, which costs 12 seconds but forces a x2 TIMIE on the player, and *Inspect*, which costs 5 seconds and gives a =30 TIMIE. **Iron Pipe** has *Throw*, which costs 12 seconds and gives a 1/4 TIMIE, *Fight*, which costs 18 seconds but forces a x2 TIMIE on the player, and *Equip*, which costs 36 seconds and gives a 1/2 TIMIE. Finally, there's the **Time Bomb** with *Throw*, which costs 30 seconds but forces a x2 TIMIE on the player, *Take apart*, which costs 60 seconds and gives a =10 TIMIE, and *Activate*, which costs 10 seconds and gives a 1/2 TIMIE.

If the player has equipped the Jack-o-Lantern previously, then they can get the "An Awkward Halloween" achievement by choosing *Wear* on the **Shoe** and *Equip* on the **Iron Pipe**. Otherwise, the correct option is *Activate* on the **Time Bomb**. This action has very little cost, so grabbing an extra TIMIE isn't necessary. This will turn the **Time Bomb** into the **Activated Time Bomb**, and the player has 9 seconds to choose one of its options before they lose time and must repeat the activation of the Time Bomb. The options are *Throw*, which costs 25 seconds, *Throw on ground*, which costs 5 seconds, and *Eat*, which costs 45 seconds. TIMIEs cannot be used on these choices, so simply choose *Throw* to progress the Mental Lock.

The mental barrier will disappear and the player can interact with the real **Ryuki**, who only has *Gibberish* as an option. Choosing it will move the player to **Brahman**, which gives four options to cheer up **Ryuki**: *Cheer up with Ganesha*, *Cheer up with brandy*, *Cheer up with water*, and *Cheer up with food*, all of which cost 18 seconds. *Cheer up with water* will leave a glass of water on Ryuki's head, but if the player isn't interested in japes then *Cheer up with food* is the correct answer, which will move Aiba back to the **Cathedral** and unlock the Mental Lock.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #4:

* *Shoot Ryuki* on **Evolver** (42s, =20) -> *Activate* on **Time Bomb** (10s, 1/2) -> *Throw* on **Activated Time Bomb** (25s) -> *Gibberish* on **Ryuki** (25s) -> *Cheer up with food* on **Ryuki** (18s)

An optimal usage of TIMIE would be:

* *Shoot Ryuki* on **Evolver** (42s[=20], =20) -> *Activate* on **Time Bomb** (10s, 1/2) -> *Throw* on **Activated Time Bomb** (25s) -> *Gibberish* on **Ryuki** (25s) -> *Cheer up with food* on **Ryuki** (18s)

An optimal route to get the "An Awkward Halloween" achievement:

* *Shoot Ryuki* on **Evolver** (42s[=20], =20) -> *Equip* on **Iron Pipe** (36s[=20], 1/2) -> *Wear* on **Shoe** (12s[1/2], x2) -> *Activate* on **Time Bomb** (10s[x2], 1/2) -> *Throw* on **Activated Time Bomb** (25s) -> *Gibberish* on **Ryuki** (25s) -> *Cheer up with food* on **Ryuki** (18s)

### Mental Lock #5 - 迥ｯ莠ｺ繧偵が繧ゅ＞蜃ｺ縺輔○繝ｭ

The final lock only has one object of interaction: **Ryuki**. Speaking to him will unlock the Mental Lock and finish the Somnium. However, there are six Shadow Ryukis between the player and **Ryuki**, and the screen is flipped both horizontally and vertically. The player must progress carefully if they don't want to be caught by a Shadow Ryuki and sent to the **Darkness** to waste time.

In summary, to unlock Mental Lock #5:

* Interact with **Ryuki** (50s)

## Keys

The shadows are ──────────────────.
 2
He's still holding on to ──── and ──────────.
 3
─────────── are still held ───────.
 4
 5
He ─────────────────.
He obsesses over it and wallows in anguish.

## Objects of Interest

New Investigation has three total locations that are visited: **Interrogation Room**, which is only accessed in Mental Lock #1; **Date Residence**, a result of Ryuki briefly Reverse Psyncing into Mizuki before Mental Lock #1 is broken; and the **Cathedral**, which is the main location for the remaining Mental Locks. There are also various sub-locations within the Cathedral that are seen in Branch B: **Boss's Office** and **Brahman**, which are seen in flashback during Mental Locks #3 and #4 respectively, and **Darkness**, which is optionally visited if Ryuki initiates any more Reverse Psyncs into Mizuki.

The route that is taken in the **Cathedral** is dependent on which Branch the player chooses inside the **Date Residence**. In Branch B, the mental instability of the Somnium will cause the screen to occasionally flip, in turn reversing the player's controls. This will make it more difficult to navigate through the Somnium without triggering a Reverse Psync and wasting time. Branch B also has **Shadow Ryukis** that will wander around and initiate a Reverse Psync if they run into Mizuki.

## Hidden Eyeballs

The five **hidden eyeballs** are located in the following:

* #1: In the **Cathedral** Branch A in Mental Lock #2, sitting on the folding chair in front of where Aiba spawns in.
* #2: In the **Cathedral** Branch A in Mental Lock #3. When prompted to pick up the **Police ID**, instead walk past it to the pedestal on top of the platform. The eyeball is sitting on the pedestal.
* #3: In the **Cathedral** Branch B in Mental Lock #4. Just after escaping the flashback in **Boss's Office**, the eyeball will be sitting on the chair next to Aiba.
* #4: In the **Cathedral** Branch B in Mental Lock #5. Just after escaping the flashback in **Brahman**, the eyeball will be sitting on one of the bar stools next to Aiba.
* #5: In the **Cathedral** Branch B in Mental Lock #5. The eyeball is tucked in a corner right next to the staircase that you need to climb to reach Ryuki.

## Gallery

The Interrogation RoomMap of the Interrogation RoomReverse Psync into Date ResidenceMap of the Date ResidenceCathedral, Branch ACathedral, Branch BMap of the CathedralFlashback of Boss's OfficeMap of Boss's OfficeFlashback of BrahmanMap of BrahmanA defensive barrier, preventing Aiba from leavingThe falling rubble changes to hands within the barrierShadow RyukiThe screen glitching due to the Somnium's destabilizationRyuki and Aiba wearing the Jack-o-LanternsWhat is Adorabbit plotting...?The birdcage in the DarknessThe merry-go-round door in the DarknessAdorabbit in the DarknessMizuki's choice in the Darkness
## Trivia

### General

* It is possible to sequence break and enter Branch B of New Investigation early if the player knows beforehand what password to input.

* By using the Map and zooming in as close as possible, it is possible to see that the **Police ID** belongs to Kaname Date.
* New Investigation is the only Somnium in the series that introduces additional Mental Locks after the first initial scan. It is also currently the only Somnium that involves Reverse Psyncing.
* New Investigation is one of three Somniums in *nirvanA Initiative*, alongside Nemesis Identified and Nightmare Irreconcilable, that features a location that did not receive a Somnium in *THE SOMNIUM FILES* - the Interrogation Room, in this instance.
* New Investigation is the only Somnium in *nirvanA Initiative* that features a location that the player has not yet visited in the real world.
	+ It shares this trait with SINKIN' IN THE BRaiN, potentially with PSYNCIN' IN THE VaiN (depending on what branch the player takes first), and also PSYNCIN' IN THE MOUNTaiN (whose real world location isn't visited at all) in *THE SOMNIUM FILES*.
* Several mojibake are appeared in this Somnium. Their correct translation are:
	+ Mental Lock #1 Branch B Objective **Remind them of 莠倶ｻｶ縺ｮ縺薙→** -> **Remind them of 事件のこと**
	(**Remind them of the case**)
	+ Tama's quote *鮴肴惠、鮴肴惠、縺励▲縺九ｊ縺励※！鮴肴惠!!* -> *龍木、龍木、しっかりして！龍木!!*
	(*Ryuki, Ryuki, get a hold of yourself! Ryuki!!*)
	+ Mental Lock #5 Objective **迥ｯ莠ｺ繧偵が繧ゅ＞蜃ｺ縺輔○繝ｭ** -> **犯人をオもい出させロ**
	(**Make them remember the culprit**)

* The mysterious voice that asks Ryuki and the Frayer if they know the culprit's name is the same voice that talks to the Frayer in Ryuki's dream in A Strange Tale, and also describes the ideals of the Order of % in Traveler.

### References to Media and Pop Culture

* One of the choices for the **Mirror** in the Interrogation Room is to ask it who the most beautiful person in the world is. This is a reference to a famous line from the 1937 film *Snow White*: "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
	+ If this option is taken, Araya Kagami will appear in the mirror and proclaim that it's him. This is a play on his surname, Kagami, which is also the name for "mirror" in Japanese.
* There are multiple references to the previous title in the AI series, *THE SOMNIUM FILES*:
	+ When Aiba first enters the Somnium she sings the chorus and performs the choreography to Invincible Rainbow Arrow, a song that featured prominently in the first game. She asks what Mizuki thinks and Mizuki calls her a shrimp, which is what Date first called Aiba when he saw her human form in the first game's Somnium, SINKIN' IN THE BRaiN.
	+ Choosing *Breathe in* on the **Brazier** will cause Aiba to suck the brazier up her nose and fall back in shock, with Mizuki complimenting her amazing suction. This is a reference to an identical interaction between Aiba and Date in the Somnium SINKIN' IN THE BRaiN.
	+ Mizuki's Somnium, the Date Residence, contains multiple references to the PSYNCIN' IN THE PaiN and PSYNCIN' IN THE CAPTaiN Somnia from the first game. The panda bear, merry-go-round horse, birdcage, and balloons are all imagery from PSYNCIN' IN THE PaiN, while the home-made stew and the Adorabbit hovering ominously over the cooking pot are imagery from PSYNCIN' IN THE CAPTaiN. What's more, any time that Ryuki Reverse Psyncs into Mizuki, it reveals more imagery from those Somnia: the photo and merry-go-round pillar from PaiN, and the choice that Mizuki had to make in CAPTaiN.

## Navigation

 Locations | **Tokyo**
*Chiyoda District*: Police Headquarters (Boss's Office, Psync Room, Interrogation Room) • Sunfish Pocket • Sekiba High
*Chuo District*: Horadori Institute of Genetics (Underground, Hostage Room) • Naixatloz Japan Branch (President's Office, Cathedral)
*Koto District*: Harbor Warehouse District • Date Residence
*Minato District*: Studio Dvaita • Aioen Orphanage • Ikume Shrine • Kumakura Office • Sejima Residence • Central Hospital
*Shibuya District*: Lemniscate Entertainment Offices • Yoyagi Park
*Shinagawa/Kabasaki District*: Matsushita Diner • Sagan Residence • Enda Residence • Kabasaki Chemical Plant
*Shinjuku District*: Golden Yokocho (Marble, Brahman World Cuisine) • Misetan Department Store • Tokyo National Stadium
**Side Ryuki:**
Dispossessed • Anyone Imagines • Ought to Know • Nothing to Be Done • Go • Farewell
**Komeji and Shoma Route:** Joy for Anguish • I Found Me • Past Its Ken
**Explosion Route:** Smiles for Tears • Well-Known • The Mind of God • Not All A Dream • She Was the Universe
**閭｡陜ｶ荵句､｢邱ｨ Route:** 遐ｴ邯ｻ逋ｾ蜃ｺ • All This Happened, More or Less
**Side Mizuki:**
Alone • Pass Mildly Away • End Where I Begun • Traveler • Left Behind • The Expense of Spirit
**Gen and Amame Route:** All Living Things • Of Arms and Of Man • Who's There • All That We Are
**Kizuna and Lien Route:** Bid the Soldiers Shoot • Sweet Silent Thought
**Resolution Route:** Hell • Visions • In Truth • Births • The End of Craving • Braver Than All Flowers

## References

1. ↑ AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative page in The Cutting Room Floor