
MindsEye: The Game That Wasn't Meant to Be
2025-06-26
Author: Ken Lee
A Disappointing Journey Through Redrock City
After investing over 12 grueling hours into MindsEye, the latest venture from former Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies, I can confidently say it’s a tedious experience. Despite pushing through glitches, poor performance, and a series of mind-numbing conversations, I finished the game only to be left pondering, "Who was this designed for?" Perhaps it’s aimed at those who revel in witnessing a colossal waste of talent and resources.
Not Quite Open-World, Not Quite Linear
MindsEye fails at being an engaging open-world game while also lacking the thrill typically associated with linear action titles. It feels disjointed, presenting a hodgepodge of ideas—some half-decent but most decidedly lacking—masquerading as a video game, stripped of the elements that make other titles captivating.
The Premise of Mediocrity
In this underwhelming journey, you take on the role of Jacob Diaz, a former soldier grappling with a cybernetic implant. Following a mission gone awry, he finds himself entangled with Silva Corp, the shady corporation behind his implant, amidst a convoluted plot involving AI, nefarious generals, and interdimensional beings. Surprisingly, this premise spirals into one of the most uninspiring narratives you could encounter.
Endless Driving, Endless Talking
You might expect a game like this to feature intense combat or thrilling chases, yet a staggering 60% of your time is spent driving to locations and engaging in monotonous phone conversations. Unlike the quick and engaging dialogue breaks found in GTA, MindsEye's dialogue drags on, accompanied by frustrating restrictions on movement—no carjacking permitted, and you can’t even perform simple actions without being scolded.
Visuals Can't Save the Gameplay
To its credit, MindsEye presents a visually stunning Redrock City, complete with impressive character models and realistic lighting. However, the beautiful setting only serves as a backdrop to a lifeless experience with limited exploration. Forget about shooting cops or creating chaos; you’re left with a beautifully designed but ultimately dull playground.
An Unfulfilling Conclusion
Upon completing the game, players are met with an unsatisfactory ending that doesn’t tie up any plot threads, followed by a post-credits scene that feels presumptuous given the game's poor reception. What’s more, players are introduced to user-generated missions—though so far, they lack depth and excitement.
Open World, Closed Opportunities
Upon finishing the main campaign, the open-world mode is unlocked, allowing exploration of Redrock City, albeit with a different character in a gas mask. This mode is laden with uninspired missions, devoid of meaningful interactions or upgrades. It's as if the developers hastily included it to appease criticism.
Final Thoughts: A Game Best Forgotten
After experiencing MindsEye, I remain baffled as to who its target audience might be. Even with potential patches, the game’s fundamental flaws—its dullness and lackluster execution—aren't likely to be remedied. MindsEye isn’t just a bad game; it’s an unremarkable one destined to faded into obscurity, soon to be little more than a memory as its servers eventually shut down.