Eliza

The art style and music helps elevate the sense of loneliness these game has and Evelyn is literally me fr Would love an ost, artbook and wallpaper pack

This is a really well written visual novel that explores an increasingly relevant topic very thoughtfully. It covers angles of the subject of AI-driven therapy that I hadn't even considered before, and does so with a lens that is simultaneous critical of the institution while also being very empathetic towards the people who work within it and, most importantly, the people who turn to it for help. The only real issue I had with the story is that while I think a lot of great work is done to explore the therapy-related themes, I feel like there could have been a bit more attention given to Evelyn, the main character. Obviously the whole story is viewed through her lens, and she gets some good character moments throughout, but she could have been a little bit more fleshed out and maybe had a few more verbose responses in interactions, and then I feel like there could have been a few more climactic scenes at the end to provide a bit more context for her making the decision that she makes and what ultimately comes of it. With that said though, this is still a very well-written, well-acted story that talks about a subject that will only become more relevant in time.

The bad: The game is too short -- it doesn't need filler, instead it could use another chapter or two, perhaps focusing on supporting characters. The story doesn't branch enough (i.e. doesn't have enough game elements). This is probably just a reflection of the developer(s) not having enough time and money to build out more gaming features. The good: I played this more than a year ago and I still remember it with a sort of fond sadness. Very well delivered story that cleverly references ELIZA, one of the very first chatbots developed at MIT back in the late 1960's. If you are into philosophy, psychology, or any field that tries to understand what makes humans tick, this little game is definitely worth your time. It's certainly not Disco Elysium, but it fits pretty nicely into that same headspace -- exploring a sort of cold loneliness that, nonetheless, contains threads of optimism and mystery. We really could benefit from more games like this one!

I loved this game—it made me think deeply. It tackles complex themes, painting society through the lens of different lives and perspectives. While the counseling sessions are a key element, the real strength lies in Evelyn’s story and the world around her. The narrative is immersive and prompts tough moral reflections. Though the game doesn’t have any real choices, it constantly asks: what would you do? It’s fascinating how differently it might resonate with players, given the breadth of topics it explores. You're forced to reflect: how should I go about this thing which may be dangerous - should I go along and try to improve it, ignore it or sabotage it? Personally, it hit close to home. I work in AI research, with plans to launch a startup backed by major investors. Yet, I’ve often wondered if I should leave it all behind for something simpler. The game forced me to confront these dilemmas: Is my work ethical? Do I truly understand its implications? Should I pursue innovation despite the risks, or step away entirely? The storytelling is masterful. The story of Evelyn is conveyed before you are given any choice. It’s like an interactive film—yet unlike most films, it pulls you into the narrative in a uniquely engaging way.

This is not a perfect game, but what is there is done extremely well. The game is thought-provoking an the writing is stellar. I really liked the protagonist as well, even though I think perhaps she could've been fleshed out a little more. One of the biggest strenghts are probably the counseling sessions, with very good characters that each feel like they could be actualy people. The biggest criticism, if I can call it that: sometimes it's a bit of a 'slideshow'. I mean most Visuel Novels have several facial expressions or lip sync, here the characters and their expressions don't really move and don't change. I didn't mind, but perhaps some people will. Luckily, the English voice acting is superb. Music and sound effects are appropriate, they are good but kind of stay in the background. Finally, the artwork is beautiful, even though there aren't that much scenes. Again didn't really bother me. For some, it might be a little on the short side. But even then, I think it's definitely worth it in a sale.