Eliza

Zachtronics

Rank: #3 / 11
Released: 2019
Studio: Zachtronics
Genre: visual novel

At a glance

Eliza is a visual novel from Zachtronics about an AI counseling program and the people who build and use it. You follow Evelyn Ishino-Aubrey, who returns to work after leaving a technology career and spending three years away. As a proxy for the Eliza app, she reads AI-generated scripts to people seeking counseling, without control over what she says. The story follows her as she meets clients in Seattle, reconnects with people from her past, and considers what she wants from her future. It asks whether an automated counseling service can make therapy more accessible or instead serves as an inadequate substitute that extends technology companies’ influence. The game also brings in employees of Skandha, the company behind Eliza, and presents its story with hand-painted art and voiced characters. It is a single-player game available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Steam Achievements, controller support, Steam Cloud, and Family Sharing.

Who it is for

It suits players looking for a single-player visual novel centered on counseling technology, its users, and its developers. Windows, macOS, and Linux are listed platforms.

What is good

Single-player visual novel story
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Full controller support
Steam Cloud and Family Sharing

What to know first

No multiplayer features are listed
No price information is provided

Verdict

Eliza puts questions about automated counseling and technology companies at the center of Evelyn’s personal story. Its listed features are focused on single-player play across three desktop platforms.