In what is undoubtedly an unfortunate milestone, MindsEye has officially become the worst-reviewed video game of 2025 so far. Despite being one of the most anticipated titles of the year — especially as the debut project from Build a Rocket Boy, the studio founded by ex-Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies — the game has suffered a disastrous launch.
A Rocky Debut From a Rockstar Veteran
MindsEye was meant to showcase a bold new vision in the action-adventure space. Unfortunately, its launch has been defined more by bugs, poor optimization, and incomplete features than by any innovative gameplay.
Adding to the controversy, Build a Rocket Boy chose not to provide early review copies to the media — a red flag that didn’t go unnoticed by the gaming community. As critics have finally published their thoughts in the days following release, the verdict has been overwhelmingly negative.
Historic Low Score on Metacritic
As reported by TheGamer, MindsEye now holds a Metacritic score of just 43, officially making it the lowest-rated game of the year. For context, the second-worst-reviewed game so far is Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator, which currently sits at a score of 44.
This low score reflects widespread issues across platforms:
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Frame rate drops and crashing bugs
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Unpolished combat and confusing UI
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Narrative pacing problems and lackluster world-building
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Poor player retention due to lack of content polish
Fan Expectations Crushed
Gamers had high hopes, especially given Leslie Benzies’ legendary GTA pedigree. But early players reported being frustrated with the game’s technical shortcomings, and many have demanded refunds on Steam and console platforms.
The absence of transparency around development and launch quality has only worsened the situation. Players are still waiting on official communication or a roadmap from the studio.
Can MindsEye Recover?
While there is always room for redemption through patches and community engagement, the damage to MindsEye’s reputation is significant. It now joins a growing list of high-profile AAA flops that launched too soon and underdelivered.
Unless Build a Rocket Boy can turn things around quickly with meaningful updates and open dialogue, MindsEye may remain a cautionary tale for years to come.