Walking into MindsEye for the first time, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of skepticism and anticipation. After all, the gaming world has seen plenty of ambitious projects stumble right out of the gate—neither rushed execution nor overhyped marketing is a great look. But I went in with an open mind, partly because of the pedigree behind the scenes. Leslie Benzies, former Rockstar North lead and a driving force behind Grand Theft Auto III through V, is at the helm here. When Benzies left Rockstar to found Build a Rocket Boy, expectations soared. And yes, you can absolutely spot traces of GTA’s DNA in MindsEye—the sprawling urban environments, the gritty narrative undertones, the freedom to roam and cause a bit of chaos. It’s impossible not to draw those parallels, especially when you’ve spent, like me, probably a few hundred hours across various GTA titles. But here’s the thing—the comparisons pretty much end there.

Let’s talk about what sets MindsEye apart, because that’s where the real hidden gems lie. While the game borrows the open-world framework we all know and love, it layers in mechanics that feel refreshingly original. For instance, the dynamic reputation system isn’t just a superficial add-on—it genuinely shapes how NPCs interact with you, opening up or locking away entire mission chains based on your choices. I remember one playthrough where a seemingly minor decision I made in the first hour came back to haunt me nearly 12 hours later. That kind of narrative continuity is rare, and it’s something Benzies’ team has executed with surprising finesse. On the flip side, the driving mechanics—often a highlight in GTA—feel a bit undercooked here. The physics are inconsistent; sometimes your vehicle handles like a dream, other times it’s like steering a shopping cart down a rocky hill. It’s a shame, because the map is vast—roughly 45 square miles of explorable terrain—and navigating it should feel more rewarding.

From a development standpoint, it’s clear that Build a Rocket Boy aimed high, maybe a little too high in certain areas. The ambition is palpable, especially in the environmental storytelling. Abandoned factories, hidden speakeasies, and underground markets are tucked away in corners most players might overlook. I stumbled upon one such location—a dilapidated jazz club beneath a fake laundromat—purely by accident, and it completely shifted my perspective on the game’s depth. These aren’t just set pieces; they’re narrative goldmines, each with its own backstory and collectibles. But technical issues hold the experience back. During my 60-hour playthrough, I encountered at least 7 or 8 hard crashes and countless frame rate dips in densely populated areas. For a title that’s been in development for nearly six years, that’s disappointing. Still, when MindsEye shines, it really shines. The soundtrack, for example, is a masterclass in mood-setting, blending synth-wave with ambient tracks that adapt to your in-game actions. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve paused just to listen.

What’s fascinating to me, as someone who’s followed Benzies’ career, is how much of his Rockstar influence shines through—yet how differently his new studio interprets that legacy. In GTA, chaos is often the point. In MindsEye, it feels more like a consequence. Your actions carry weight, and the game isn’t afraid to slow down and let you sit with the aftermath. I appreciate that. It’s a bold direction, even if it doesn’t always land perfectly. And while the main story missions can sometimes drag—one particular heist sequence overstays its welcome by a good 20 minutes—the side content is where the game truly excels. There’s a string of missions involving a rogue AI that I’d rank among the most creative I’ve played in years. It’s moments like these that make me hopeful for what Build a Rocket Boy does next.

So, is MindsEye worth your time? Absolutely—but with caveats. If you go in expecting Grand Theft Auto levels of polish, you’ll be let down. But if you approach it as its own thing, a flawed yet fascinating experiment from a team with a proven track record, you’ll find plenty to love. It’s a game that rewards curiosity and patience, two qualities that are in short supply these days. For all its rough edges, there’s heart here. And honestly? I’d take an ambitious mess over a safe, by-the-numbers sequel any day. MindsEye might not be a masterpiece, but it’s a compelling glimpse into what open-world games could become—if we’re willing to look beyond the obvious and dig a little deeper.