A Game That Deserved a Second Look
I went into Mindseye with almost zero expectations, and honestly, I came out pleasantly surprised. This is a game many people had already written off due to what was arguably one of the roughest launches last year. Since then, Mindseye has received a steady stream of updates. While plenty of issues remain, it’s now much easier to see the potential that was buried beneath the mess.
This isn’t a comeback story just yet… but it is a reminder that first impressions don’t always tell the full story.
An Outstanding Story and Cast
The strongest part of Mindseye is easily its narrative. From the very first cutscene, I was hooked. The story is intriguing, well-paced, and full of memorable moments. It’s rare to see a game lean this hard into storytelling and actually pull it off.
The characters are a major reason why it works. Jacob Diaz, voiced by Alex Hernandez the actor behind Clay from Mafia III, is a standout performance, and Rigby is another highlight. The voice acting across the board is excellent and helps sell every emotional beat.
Gameplay That Feels Familiar, For Better or Worse
The gunplay and cover mechanics are… fine. They work, but they never quite feel great. If you remember the wave of Gears of War clones from the mid-2000s that tried (and failed) to nail cover-based shooting, Mindseye sits uncomfortably close to that comparison. It’s functional, but it lacks the weight and polish needed to feel truly satisfying.
That said, the game excels during its more scripted moments. Chases, set-piece combat sections, and cinematic sequences are a blast. Several followers compared the experience to a Michael Bay movie, and I’d agree, to a point. It’s loud, flashy, and constantly moving forward, and I never found myself bored.
Visual Highs and Technical Lows
When Mindseye works, it’s genuinely stunning. Lighting, environments, and cityscapes can look fantastic. Unfortunately, frequent texture pop-in and loading issues break immersion more often than they should. These problems are noticeable and remind you that the game still isn’t fully polished, even after multiple updates.
Driving Steals the Show
Driving, however, is excellent. I was genuinely impressed by how good it feels. Each electric vehicle handles differently, and cruising through the city is consistently fun. That said, traffic AI can be unintentionally hilarious. At one point, I recorded a clip thinking I pulled off an incredible near-miss, only to realize another car had driven straight through mine. It’s a known issue, and while funny at first, it does underline lingering technical problems.
Not GTA — and That’s a Good Thing
Many players expected Mindseye to be a new Grand Theft Auto competitor. It isn’t. Instead, it feels much closer to the first two Mafia games: focused, narrative-driven, and structured. Personally, I think that was the right call. Not every game needs to be a massive 100-hour open world, and this approach keeps the spotlight firmly on the story.
Final Verdict
Mindseye never should have launched in the state it did, and even now, it still has issues. But underneath the technical problems is a genuinely compelling game with a fantastic story, strong performances, and clear creative vision. I hope it finds its place over time, much like Cyberpunk 2077 eventually did.
I went in expecting nothing or worse, and came out a fan.
I must make note of the soundtrack as well, it is banging. Love the cyberpunk musical score that was matched incredibly with my surround sound system.
7/10
