Secrets, Strategy, and Soul: Why Somnium 11 Stands Out in Otome Games
Somnium 11 has taken the otome game world by storm with its unique blend of strategy, romance, and storytelling.To uncover the secrets behind the magic, we sat down with Natalie, the director at Nochi Studios, and Alexandra, the scenario writer for the game. Here’s an Q&A look into the creative process, inspirations, and challenges behind Somnium 11.
Listen to the full interview with the developers on YouTube.
The Minds Behind the Game
Natalie: Yeah, so I can get started. I’m Natalie. I am the director at Nochi Studios. For most of our games, I oversee the production, set the vision and strategies, and ensure everything happens on time while staying true to our vision. That was the case with Somnium 11 as well. I coordinated with everyone to make sure the development and publishing went smoothly.
Alexandra: And I am the scenario writer. I work with all the different scenarios and the narrative design of the game. I design and flesh out the characters’ backstories and arcs that you see throughout the routes and scripts in the game.
The Meaning Behind the Name
Natalie: So, this is actually something we haven’t shared publicly before. The “11” in the title comes from the fact that this was the 11th brainstorm idea we had when naming the game. It’s actually our second studio title after Sifting Time. The “Somnium” part does carry a spoiler though, so we’ll leave that for players to discover!
Natalie: You’re super close! The “seven” you mentioned definitely ties into the story as well.
An Overview of the Story
Alexandra: Absolutely. Somnium 11 follows Aria, who wakes up to find herself in what seems to be a competition. The trials are set to determine the next ruler of Strata because Prince Soren is stepping down due to serious circumstances. Not only does she have to navigate these trials, but she also has to explore Strata, interact with other competitors—the “soul victims”—and discover her own purpose in this mysterious world. Along the way, there’s plenty of opportunity for romance and self-discovery.
Natalie: Strata is a region, like a kingdom with adjacent territories. We were inspired by magitech—a mix of magical technology—and Roman-era empires. This allowed us to create a unique world where the trials and their selection of rulers made sense within the context of the setting.
The World and Characters of Strata
Alexandra: Strata is a kingdom-inspired region with elements of magitech and Roman-era empires. We wanted to create a world that felt unique yet familiar. The magical technology plays a big role in how the trials and the selection of rulers work. It’s a mix of grandeur, innovation, and history that adds depth to the story.
Natalie: We took inspiration from gladiatorial matches and Roman trials, but we blended it with our own touch of magic and technology. It’s a world where you can see the tension between tradition and progress.
Natalie: It’s all interconnected. We craft the story first and establish the key themes we want to explore. From there, the characters and the world grow organically. Everything has to feel cohesive—the characters need to fit naturally into the world we’ve built.
Alexandra: When developing characters, we focus on their motivations and how they relate to Aria. Each character’s personality and arc are designed to add something unique to the story. It’s a balancing act to make sure everyone feels real and layered.
Player Agency and Narrative
Alexandra: That’s where the roguelike structure helps. Even if players reach different endings, they all contribute to the overarching narrative. It’s designed so each playthrough adds layers to the story, giving players a sense of progression and connection no matter which path they take.
Gameplay and Features
Natalie: Sure! Every action you take increases certain stats, like knowledge or strength. For example, going to the gym increases strength, while visiting the library boosts knowledge. But you also have to balance this with building relationships. If you focus solely on self-improvement, you might fail to connect with a love interest.
Natalie: Social media and reality TV are such big parts of modern life. We wanted to reflect the pressures and dynamics of those worlds, like how posts and followers can make or break someone’s reputation.
The Characters
Natalie: For me, it’s Prince Soren. I thought I’d like Tidus more during development, but Soren won me over.
Alexandra: I’d have to say Tidus, though Roman is also a personal favorite. He’s our little mascot and such a goofball.
Natalie: Yes! Roman even has a dedicated emoji on our Discord server. And our programmer Kira, who couldn’t join today, loves Valentina.
Natalie: Tidus is the most popular character based on sales and feedback, though we’re curious to see how this shifts with the PC version, where Arum’s route isn’t paywalled like it is on mobile.
Alexandra: Writing intimate or emotional moments requires the least “sexy” environment possible! I’ll watch Batman or funny internet videos to keep the mood light. This helps me stay grounded and focus on making the dialogue feel natural. I also think of characters as actors—I let their personalities guide the scene rather than forcing the words.
Natalie: Relationships in real life are messy and unpredictable. We wanted to capture that. The best romantic lines aren’t scripted—they’re spontaneous. That’s the vibe we aimed for in Somnium 11.
Future Content and DLC
Otome.com: Can you share any exclusive content or plans for the future?
Natalie: Absolutely! We’re releasing DLCs for Roman and Ariel on Steam. These were originally mobile-exclusive stories, so this will be the first time PC players can experience them. It’s new territory for us, but we’re excited to see how it goes.
Alexandra: We’d also love to explore spin-off stories in the world of Strata. Roman and Aram have so much potential for expanded arcs. We’re always brainstorming ideas for the future.
Final Thoughts
SweetPixel: As we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Natalie: If you love Roman, you might enjoy Stellafire, one of our other games. Hawkins, one of the romanceable characters there, has some similarities to Roman.
Alexandra: Thank you so much for having us. It’s always a pleasure to share the behind-the-scenes of our games.
And there you have it, otome fans! If you haven’t played Somnium 11 yet, now’s the time to get into this beautifully crafted world full of trials, romance, and discovery. Stay tuned to Otome.com for more exclusive interviews and updates from your favorite developers.
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