MindsEye may have had one of the most disappointing launches of 2025, but a surprising endorsement has now given the game a second chance at conversation. Obbe Vermeij, a veteran of the Grand Theft Auto series and a key figure from Rockstar Games, recently shared his honest take on MindsEye and caught the gaming community off guard. Unlike the flood of negative reviews that hit the game at launch, Vermeij offered a surprisingly positive assessment of the experience.

Directed by Leslie Benzies, another ex-Rockstar powerhouse, MindsEye was released in June on PC and consoles. Expectations were high from the start, especially with a name like Benzies attached, but the game was instantly criticized for its glitchy performance, forgettable missions, and poor communication before release. Despite the massive hype, it quickly dropped to the bottom of review charts and became one of the lowest-rated titles of the year.

Yet, Vermeij took to social media to say that he actually enjoyed his time playing MindsEye. He admitted the bugs were present and the missions lacked creativity, but he found the story, characters, acting, and overall vibe to be genuinely impressive. According to him, the cutscenes and narrative had a level of polish rarely seen in new studios’ first outings. He even went on to say that MindsEye could have been far better received had it launched with fewer bugs and at a more reasonable price point.

What also stood out in his comments was the mention that the lead-up to the game was poorly handled. He noted that too much attention was placed on Benzies and that MindsEye was unintentionally pitched as the next big rival to Grand Theft Auto. That comparison, he believes, worked against it when the final product didn’t meet those blockbuster expectations.

While many gamers still remain disappointed, some users on Steam had echoed similar thoughts earlier, stating that underneath the flaws was a game with a lot of heart. MindsEye’s world-building and tone were appreciated by a small section of players who believed the game was let down by technical issues rather than a lack of creative vision.

Looking forward, developer Build a Rocket Boy may be planning to redeem the title. Rumors suggest that the studio is working on major updates in a move similar to the recovery arc seen with Cyberpunk 2077. There is even talk of a sequel quietly being developed, although that will likely depend on how well the original is received after future patches.

Whether MindsEye will be remembered as a flawed gem or a missed opportunity is still up for debate. But with industry voices like Vermeij stepping forward to praise the game’s strengths, the narrative around it is beginning to shift. It is a reminder that sometimes a game’s biggest issues are fixable, and a second opinion can open the door to redemption.

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