In what was supposed to be a landmark debut for Build A Rocket Boy, the release of MindsEye has instead become a cautionary tale in the world of gaming. Launched without any pre-release reviews and wrapped in mystery, MindsEyenow holds the dubious honor of being the lowest-rated game of 2025 so far. According to Metacritic, the game has managed a score of just 43, based on six critical reviews. User ratings have been even harsher, sitting at a 2.5 and surrounded by “Mostly Negative” sentiment on Steam.
Even more damning, MindsEye currently ranks below Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator, a game that had previously been criticized for its lack of polish and uninspired gameplay. This signals a major reputational hit for a studio that many had pegged as a potential disruptor in the AAA space.
Controversy Before the Launch
Even before release, MindsEye was stirring up controversy. With no early reviews available, speculation was rife. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard further ignited the fire by accusing critics of being “paid off” by rival studios in an attempt to sabotage the launch. While such claims were widely dismissed by the industry, they cast a long shadow over the game’s release and raised eyebrows about the studio’s internal dynamics.
Whether this media blackout was a calculated decision or a desperate attempt to avoid negative press ahead of launch remains unclear. But the absence of early impressions set the tone for what was to follow a public drubbing by both critics and players.
A Troubled Experience for Players
Once in players’ hands, the game fared no better. Negative reviews poured in quickly, citing not only technical performance issues but also fundamental problems with the gameplay and narrative. PlayStation has already started issuing refunds—a move reminiscent of the Cyberpunk 2077 backlash in 2020.
However, unlike Cyberpunk, which was salvaged through aggressive post-launch support, MindsEye faces deeper criticism that extends beyond bugs. Reviewers have called the story “unimaginative” and “resoundingly disappointing.” GamesRadar+ criticized its weak narrative structure, while Gamereactor UK described the experience as “generic and forgettable.”
Studio Response and The Road Ahead
In response to the backlash, Build A Rocket Boy issued a public statement:
“We are heartbroken that not every player was able to experience the game as we intended. Our priority is optimising performance and stability so that every player, across every device, can enjoy an equally high-quality experience.”
The studio also pledged to provide regular updates and listen closely to player feedback. However, regaining consumer trust may prove difficult in the face of such a disastrous debut.
A Fall from Grace
MindsEye was meant to be a bold first step for a studio with serious pedigree, led by former Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies. Instead, it now stands as a stark reminder that reputation and talent alone can’t guarantee a great game. With the year’s most critically acclaimed title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, standing in sharp contrast, MindsEye’s failure is all the more pronounced.
Whether Build A Rocket Boy can recover from this launch remains to be seen—but for now, MindsEye has become gaming’s biggest disappointment of 2025.
