Eliza is a visual novel about an AI counseling program, the people who develop it, and the people who use it. Follow Evelyn Ishino-Aubrey as she reconnects with people from her past, gets to know the people of Seattle who use Eliza for counseling, and decides the course of her future.
The game primarily focuses on narrative and character-driven storytelling, with limited player interaction. It does not feature traditional gameplay mechanics like puzzles or action sequences. Instead, the gameplay revolves around progressing the story through dialogue choices and exploring the game's environments.
At certain points, the player can choose how the protagonist, Evelyn, responds during conversations with various characters. These choices, while not drastically altering the overall narrative, can influence the tone and depth of the exchanges, as well as Evelyn's relationships with other characters. Reviewers praise the authenticity and nuance of these dialogue options, which shape Evelyn's personality and worldview rather than presenting binary "good" or "bad" choices.
In a unique gameplay mechanic, the player takes on the role of Evelyn, who acts as a "proxy" for the Eliza AI therapy program. During these sequences, the player can only select pre-written responses provided by the Eliza AI, reflecting the constraints of Evelyn's job and the limitations of the system. Many reviewers found these counseling sessions to be compelling and emotionally impactful, as they delve into the personal struggles of Eliza's clients and the realistic portrayal of the counseling process.
Throughout the game, the player can interact with Evelyn's smartphone, which serves as a hub for email exchanges, text message conversations, and a mini-game called Kabufuda Solitaire. These optional smartphone interactions provide additional context and backstory, allowing the player to learn more about Evelyn's past and the world of the game. Reviewers have praised the seamless integration of these elements and their ability to enhance the overall narrative and themes.
The inclusion of the Kabufuda Solitaire mini-game offers a relaxing break from the main narrative, and is appreciated by reviewers as a nice addition that helps to diversify the overall experience.
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