Before Your Eyes

About Before Your Eyes

Before Your Eyes is a narrative-driven adventure game where your blinks control the action. Developed by GoodbyeWorld Games and published by Skybound Games, it launched in April 2021 for PC, Mac, and mobile platforms. The story follows a soul journeying through the afterlife, guided by a Ferryman who forces them to relive key life moments. By blinking, you interact with scenes, triggering memories and advancing the story. The game leans into surreal, emotional storytelling, blending quiet introspection with abrupt, jarring transitions. It’s a short but intense experience designed to mirror the fragility of human memory.

Gameplay

You spend most of the game on a floating ship where the Ferryman assigns tasks tied to specific memories. Blinking opens doors, selects dialogue, or manipulates objects. The mechanics are simple but deliberate, each blink feels intentional, often interrupting the narrative with sudden scene shifts. The story unfolds in non-linear fragments, flipping between mundane and profound moments. For example, you might blink to pour a cup of coffee, then blink again to confront a past trauma. The controls are passive, relying on natural eye movement, but the pacing can feel rushed. Sessions typically last 4-5 hours, with 11 achievements tracking story progress and niche milestones like skipping scenes.

What Players Think

Critics and players rate it 84.9/100 on IGDB, with 76 reviews citing its bold storytelling. The average playtime of 4.5 hours matches the game’s concise design. Achievement completion is low overall, 26.3% average, with the rarest "Obnoxious" at 6.9% unlocked by those who aggressively skip scenes. Community moods lean emotional (42%), nostalgic (31%), and eerie (23%). One player wrote, “It made me cry in a coffee shop. Not subtle, but effective.” Critics praised its “raw, unsettling honesty” but noted some sequences feel overwrought. The game’s polarizing tone splits audiences, some find it poetic, others overreaching.

PlayPile's Take

Before Your Eyes is a risky, uneven experiment in narrative design. It works best for players who appreciate abstract storytelling and aren’t deterred by its short length. The 11 achievements add minor replay value, but most won’t unlock more than 30%. At $15-$20, it’s a small ask for a game that lingers in your mind. If you’re open to awkward silences, sudden shifts, and a story that feels like a half-remembered dream, it’s worth the blink. Others may find it a frustrating gimmick.

Storyline

The story begins after your death, aboard the ship of a mythical Ferryman tasked with shepherding souls to the afterlife. In order to help you pass on, he must first learn the story of your life. And so, he sends you back to relive your most important moments.