At first glance, many gamers have likened MindsEye to Grand Theft Auto—and it’s easy to see why. The game features an urban setting, cinematic visuals, and comes from Build a Rocket Boy, a studio founded by Leslie Benzies, the former Rockstar North president and one of the architects behind the GTA series.
However, Benzies and his team are quick to draw a clear line between the two. While MindsEye may carry visual similarities, its structure, narrative delivery, and gameplay scope aim to carve out a unique identity, especially when it comes to the campaign length and format.
A 20-Hour Main Story – Compact by Design
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Leslie Benzies confirmed that the main campaign in MindsEye lasts around 20 hours. This has sparked debate among fans who expect sprawling narratives from open-world games—particularly those with GTA roots.
But Benzies defended the length, noting:
“I think 20 hours is the right amount of time for a game. Data shows that for massive games, a lot of people never finish them. Around 60% to 70% of players don’t reach the end.”
Rather than aim for sheer quantity, the development team wanted to create an experience that players would complete—one that’s narratively rich, tight in structure, and emotionally rewarding from start to finish.
A Focused Story of Jacob Diaz
Unlike the freeform sandbox chaos of GTA, MindsEye centers around a defined period in the life of Jacob Diaz, a man thrown into extraordinary circumstances in the futuristic city of Redrock.
Benzies elaborated:
“You begin when Jacob enters Redrock, and you leave him at a very specific moment in the future. We couldn’t tell that story properly in an open-world format—it would’ve diluted the emotional pacing.”
This cinematic, character-driven approach explains why MindsEye takes a more linear path, focusing on well-timed narrative beats instead of an expansive player-driven map.
Linear vs. Open World: A Creative Choice, Not a Limitation
The developers have made a deliberate decision to sacrifice exploration for storytelling depth—a move that may disappoint some but will likely resonate with players who prefer narrative-forward gameplay.
Still, Benzies hinted that future updates may expand the world or introduce open-world-like systems, especially with the addition of multiplayer features currently in development.
Post-Launch Plans: Free and Paid Content Coming
The 20-hour campaign is only part of what MindsEye has to offer. According to Benzies, the game will feature a stream of post-launch content—some free, some paid—designed to extend the universe and introduce new mechanics, modes, and stories.
Key features coming in future updates include:
- A dedicated multiplayer mode
- Additional missions and side content
- Potential open-world expansions
- Improvements to systems like Lumina Loadouts (already in progress)
While the base campaign is intentionally contained, the vision for MindsEye clearly extends far beyond the initial release.
Side Missions Expand the Lore
While the main story is linear, MindsEye includes a number of optional side missions that explore character backstories, world-building, and hidden elements of Redrock’s society. These quests add replay value and help the game world feel more alive, even without traditional open-world freedom.
Sales Milestone and Platform Availability
Despite being a debut title, MindsEye is already off to a strong start. The game has reportedly sold 3.3 million copies in just 33 days, signaling strong interest in Build a Rocket Boy’s vision.
MindsEye is launching on June 10, 2025, for:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC
Final Thoughts: A Bold, Streamlined Take on Storytelling
While comparisons to GTA are inevitable, MindsEye takes a more narrative-focused, shorter-form approach that aims to offer a complete, finishable experience without the overwhelming sprawl of massive open-world games.
For players who enjoy tightly woven narratives, cinematic presentation, and strategic action, MindsEye may stand as a fresh alternative to the typical formula. And with ongoing updates and a multiplayer mode on the way, this is just the beginning for Build a Rocket Boy’s ambitious debut.
