MindsEye Aims to Forge Its Own Unique Identity Beyond GTA Comparisons

MindsEye, an action game launching June 10, 2025, targets fans of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series with its near-future narrative and explosive combat mechanics. The game was originally revealed in 2022 as part of the Everywhere platform ecosystem, evolving into a standalone title under director Leslie Benzies. With this being his first major release since 2013’s Grand Theft Auto V, how might his Rockstar legacy shape the game’s design philosophy and narrative ambition?

The Director Behind GTA Produces MindsEye

In MindsEye, players are cast as Jacob Diaz, a soldier enhanced by a powerful cybernetic implant that grants extraordinary abilities. Unfortunately for Diaz, however, this neural augmentation triggers severe memory loss and disorienting flashbacks, complicating Diaz’s quest for clarity. Meanwhile, dangerous corporate adversaries will come after Diaz, seeking to reclaim their technology. It’s up to the players to help Diaz uncover the truth behind his condition despite these debilitating side effects.

As the game’s core narrative unfolds, players will journey to the desert metropolis of Redrock, a backdrop of technological intrigue and hidden conspiracies, for much-needed answers. Additionally, Leslie Benzes brings decades of experience to MindsEye from his tenure at Rockstar, where he produced genre-defining titles, including:

• GTA III
• Red Dead Redemption
• Max Payne 3

Rockstar Director’s Acclaimed Legacy

The director departed Rockstar in 2016 amid a contentious legal battle over royalties that lasted until 2019. Afterwards, Leslie Benzes founded Build a Rocket Boy to develop MindsEye as a linear, story-driven experience set in the desert metropolis of Redrock. The game differs from other traditional open-world games, adopting a “faux-pen” structure with curated missions.

By taking this approach, it prioritizes cinematic storytelling over sandbox freedom while integrating user-generated content tools for PC players. Although its price point is below the industry’s rising $70-$80 standard, the game aims to deliver a 15-20 hour campaign exploring themes of AI corruption and corporate greed. Not only that, its post-launch content is expanding its universe through 2026.

The anticipation for MindsEye, launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, can be credited to Leslie Benzies’ legacy with iconic franchises. Given gameplay reveals, players can expect an immersive, narrative-driven experience blending futuristic gunplay and vehicular combat. While the game diverges from traditional open-world design, it retains Rockstar’s level of intensity. Furthermore, its graphically polished and action-focused gameplay targets fans awaiting GTA 6‘s delayed 2026 release. However, whether this streamlined approach can satisfy players craving Benzies’ signature depth remains to be seen.

MindsEye Additional Featured Content

Deluxe bonuses like the Premium Pass are included in the pre-orders, which feature:

• upcoming Horde Mode and missions
• drone/vehicle skins
• a “Future” outfit for protagonist Jacob Diaz

These extras add value to MindsEye without asking players to spend more money. Looking at early trailers, the game emphasizes spectacle over substance. However, it’s unknown whether Build a Rocket Boy’s debut can transcend its pedigree, even with this additional content. Ultimately, the game must perfectly balance cinematic ambition with responsive gameplay to be successful. By taking this gamble, Rockstar aims to fill the GTA void, highlighting the challenges of innovating beyond established formulas.

Build a Rocket Boy’s Everywhere platform had originally created MindsEye as a premium proof-of-concept. However, the game would evolve into a standalone release while retaining its episodic structure. Moving away from a traditional open world, it instead delivers narrative-driven segments through curated missions accessed via menu selections or in-game portals. Launching June 10, this unconventional design persists in the final version, blending linear storytelling with modular environments. That said, the question remains – how will players be empowered to use these creation tools beyond combat scenarios?

MindsEyes Fight to Prove Doubters Wrong

Everywhere’s content-creation features were integrated into MindsEye to democratize game development, promising accessible tools for crafting custom experiences. Yet, skepticism involving asset limitations continues to grow as it’s unknown whether its creativity will be constrained to repetitive gunplay templates. As of now, Build a Rocket Boy, emphasizing ambition over technical complexity, may help the game find success in transforming its “weird” framework into meaningful player expression.