2025’s Worst-Reviewed Gaming Disaster Drops With Brutal Reviews and Player Backlash
The video game MindsEye, developed by Build A Rocket Boy, has earned the unfortunate title of 2025’s worst-reviewed game. According to Metacritic, it barely edges out Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator, trailing by just one point. Player feedback is even harsher, with Steam reviews rated “Mostly Negative” and a Metacritic user score averaging a grim 2.5.
Led by former GTA producer Leslie Benzies, Build A Rocket Boy had high expectations for MindsEye. However, trouble brewed before release. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard claimed rival studios paid critics to sabotage the game’s reputation, which may explain the lack of pre-launch reviews from major outlets.
Once MindsEye launched, players unleashed a wave of criticism. Common complaints include buggy gameplay, poor performance, and an overall unfinished feel. Many have demanded refunds, particularly on PlayStation, with some comparing the disastrous launch to Cyberpunk 2077, but with less optimism for recovery.
The studio responded to the backlash, stating, “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.” They also promised, “We are fully committed to ensuring all our players have a great experience, and we will continue to provide frequent and transparent updates. We will do our best to respond to all your comments and feedback.”
— MindsEye (@MindsEyeGame) June 12, 2025
Technical issues plague the game across platforms. On PC, even high-end systems struggle to maintain 60 frames per second at 1440p, and switching to 1080p or using DLSS settings leads to stuttering and lag. Consoles fare no better, with PS5 and Xbox Series S versions dipping below 30 FPS in intense scenes. The Series S version is especially rough, with blurry visuals and choppy gameplay. Load times, often nearing a minute, further disrupt the experience.
Bugs are rampant, too. Players report AI enemies freezing, clunky driving mechanics, and crashes during scene transitions. Steam reviews reflect the frustration. One player wrote, “I have to admit that everything other people say about this game is true… the current state of the game is disgusting. Refunds.” Another called it “awful, unfinished, laggy, pixelated, frustrating… AVOID.” A more lenient review noted, “Honestly total game time is 10 hours. Complete disappointment with the $59.99 price tag. Maybe $20 or below but not higher than that.”
While a few fans hope patches might save MindsEye, its current state has cemented it as 2025’s most disappointing release.
MindsEye’s failure is a tough lesson in managing hype versus delivery. The studio’s promises to fix the game are encouraging, but launching in such a broken state is hard to forgive, especially at a premium price. It’s a reminder that even talented teams can stumble without proper polish. Can MindsEye recover with updates, or is it too far gone? What do you think about this gaming letdown? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
