The countdown to GTA 6 is on, but a fresh contender has appeared, and it’s not just killing time until Rockstar’s next big hit.
MindsEye, the debut title from Build A Rocket Boy, is already making a strong case for itself as one of the most intriguing action-adventure games of the year. With its cinematic vibe, intense story, and clear ambition, it feels like the perfect game to keep us busy until GTA 6 drops.
Developed by a team led by former Rockstar veteran Leslie Benzies, MindsEye naturally invites comparisons to the studio he helped shape. But those similarities are only skin-deep. While Rockstar’s open-world games excel in freedom and satire, MindsEye focuses on structure, narrative, and a more serious, refined tone.
Jacob Diaz, a former soldier with memory loss, carries an implanted device that connects him to a dangerous tech conspiracy. His adventure takes place in Redrock City, a city of the future governed by automated systems and corporate power.
Unlike expansive open-world games that eat up hours of play, MindsEye keeps things deliberately focused. The main campaign lasts between 15 and 20 hours, structured in a linear fashion to keep the story engaging.
The world of Redrock is anything but shallow, offering a wealth of layered environments and hidden stories, yet it values pacing over a broad, sprawling world. Players can expect varied and cinematic gameplay in MindsEye. The experience includes high-speed chases, tactical gunfights, environmental scanning, and stealth missions.
Combat is grounded but enhanced by futuristic tech and tools that feel natural within the world’s lore. The key differentiator for MindsEye is its relationship with the Everywhere platform. Everywhere lets players use assets from MindsEye—like environments, vehicles, and enemies—to create their own missions.
It’s a forward-thinking approach that keeps people engaged beyond the main story, blending strong narrative with community creativity. That being said, there’s been some doubt along the way to release. Some early footage led to questions about polish and asset reuse, while others have compared its aesthetic to Cyberpunk or Watch Dogs.
With the game preparing for launch ahead of a historic title, there’s also uncertainty about its overall readiness. Still, it’s hard to ignore the level of detail, ambition, and experience backing the project.
What stands out is that MindsEye isn’t attempting to match GTA directly but rather presents something that complements it. It is a story-centered journey created by a team that gets the genre's appeal while daring to shake up its norms.
With the industry anxiously awaiting a single big release this year, MindsEye could very well be the game that makes the wait worth it.