Before Your Eyes Review
For those who are new to my serie of game articles, I have previously written about my plans to create my own game. You can read more about it in previous posts:
1. Hello World
2. It’s Alive
3. Dive into the Numbers: Uncovering Game Industry Insights and Statistics
4. Discoveries and inspiration
5. Twelve Minutes Review
My plan to dedicate time to playing and researching games for inspiration is in progress. And today, I’ll be sharing my review on Bafta Winner — “Before Your Eyes”.
I have to warn that this review may contain some spoilers, although I will not reveal any major story points.
Have you ever played a game with your eyes? If not, then you’re in for a treat with “Before Your Eyes.” This game provides a unique gaming experience with its use of eye tracking mechanics, allowing players to interact with the game by simply blinking. Developed by GoodbyeWorld Games (their debut) and published by Skybound Games, “Before Your Eyes” is a narrative-driven adventure game that takes players on an emotional journey through different stages of life.
At the very beginning of the game’s nearly two-hour experience, you are transported to an atmospehere that’s reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland,” where you’re given the power to control the story simply by blinking. The game’s story follows the life of a person who has recently passed away. As the player blinks, the game jumps through different parts of the person’s life, and the player’s actions determine how the story unfolds. The game’s mechanic of blinking to move through the different stages of life is immersive, providing players with a new level of interaction and engagement with the game. What’s more, the game pushes you to try harder to avoid blinking too much, as doing so could result in missing out on something interesting or important.
Th title was well received by players on Steam. However, the developer was trapped by Steam refund policies, as many players made refunds due to the game’s short length (in their opinion). This raises the question of whether players think that a game should be something bigger than the format of other media, such as movies or TV shows. From my perspective, games are an interactive form of media that should be paid for, regardless of the length of the experience. The game is made by people who have invested their time, experience, and money into creating a great experience. And if you actually loved it — feel free to say thank you with no refunds.
The storyline is thought-provoking and emotional, dealing with themes of love, loss, and regret. The game uses the player’s interactions to create an emotionally engaging experience.
However, one downside of the game is that it requires a camera to play, which may limit its accessibility to some players. Additionally, some players may find the blinking mechanic to be challenging, especially if they have difficulty with blinking or have a medical condition that affects their ability to blink.
Overall, “Before Your Eyes” is an exceptional game that combines innovative mechanics with emotional storytelling. Its use of eye tracking mechanics provides a new level of engagement, and the emotionally charged storyline will leave players with a lasting impression. Despite its limitations, “Before Your Eyes” is a game that is definitely worth playing, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique gaming experience.
