Beautiful art, riveting story and writing that's sharp like you wouldn't believe. And, oh God, the reactivity. This, this is why I play games, and I consider myself lucky to have experienced this one.
Eliza the visual novel shares its name with Eliza the AI, an algorithm designed to provide counselling services within the game's narrative. The narrative significance of the AI however is not the only reason for naming the game after it. It is explained in the plot that the Eliza AI was designed to "hold up a mirror" to its users, to help people reflect on the problems that they face and the questions that are bothering them. This is precisely the effect that Eliza the game had on me, and, judging from other reviews here, I am not alone in this. The range of topics that Eliza touches is broad: technological progress, AI, privacy, mental health and the array of human suffering, to name but a few. The game acknowledges that the problems that we as people face, both practical and philosophical, are complex, and prompts the player to reflect on these issues, often exploring different perspectives along the way. Eliza the game does not and cannot present any concrete answers to these questions, just as Eliza the AI's recommendations to its clients often feel so woefully inadequate. But, unlike the AI, the visual novel is not trying to solve your problems for you. If it is taking a stance, that stance consists of urging the player to approach their questions with an open mind, challenging conventional answers and giving serious consideration to alternatives. For taking the default route without critical reflection is like having no choice at all -- a plight that both the player and Evelyn, the main character, have to contend with for much of the game. I think that Eliza is a piece of fiction that most people will find meaningful, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. I should also add that the game uses interactivity well to communicate its themes and that the quality of the voice acting cannot be overstated. I urge you to sit down with Eliza and to engage in a conversation with it. You might be pleasantly surprised with what it has to offer.
