Before Your Eyes is an indie game that’s unlike anything you’ve ever played before. It’s not just a game—it’s an emotional experience that uses a simple, yet brilliant mechanic to tell a deeply personal story. If you’re someone who enjoys narrative-driven games, this one will stay with you long after the credits roll.
What sets Before Your Eyes apart from other games is its unique way of immersing you in the narrative. The game doesn’t just tell you a story—it makes you live through it in a way that feels incredibly intimate. By using your real-life blinks to control the flow of the game, it pulls you into the protagonist’s memories and forces you to reflect on how time and moments can slip away when you least expect it. This mechanic turns every blink into an emotional decision, making you feel the weight of each fleeting moment.
From its innovative gameplay to its heart-wrenching story, Before Your Eyes breaks the boundaries of traditional gaming and delivers an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is emotional. It’s not just a game that you play; it’s a journey that you feel, one that will likely leave you contemplating the story—and even your own life—long after you’ve put down the controller.
What is the Game Before Your Eyes?
At its core, Before Your Eyes is an interactive narrative game that takes you on a journey through the life of its main character, Benny. But what makes this game so special is how you experience it. Instead of using traditional controls, the game is played almost entirely by blinking. Yes, you read that right—blinking!
Using your webcam, the game tracks when you blink, and each blink moves the story forward. This unique mechanic creates a deep connection between you and the story because every blink becomes meaningful. The game’s central theme revolves around the passage of time, memories, and moments that slip away—just like when you blink.
A Deeply Emotional Journey
The story of Before Your Eyes is centered around Benny, who is reflecting on his life and memories. As you blink, you relive key moments from his childhood, relationships, and achievements. But there’s a catch—each blink can cause the memory to fade, moving you forward whether you’re ready or not. This creates a sense of urgency, making you want to hold onto each scene just a little longer, knowing it’s going to slip away.
What makes the game so emotional is how it captures the fleeting nature of life. You don’t have full control over how long you get to stay in a memory. Some moments are sweet and joyful, while others are heartbreaking, and the act of blinking through them mirrors how real memories often feel—they come and go before you’re ready to let them go. The storytelling is raw and honest, making you feel every high and low along the way.
How Blinking Changes Everything
The blinking mechanic isn’t just a gimmick—it’s the core of how the story is told. The game forces you to reflect on how quickly life moves, and how moments, both big and small, can pass in an instant. It’s a powerful metaphor that elevates the storytelling to a whole new level.
For instance, during happy moments, you may want to keep your eyes open as long as possible to savor the experience. But in sad or painful moments, you might find yourself blinking more quickly, eager to move on. It’s a subtle but brilliant way the game lets you interact with the narrative on a deeper emotional level.
What’s incredible is how the game manages to make something as simple as blinking feel so impactful. Each blink becomes a decision—do you stay in a memory a bit longer, or do you let it pass? This unique form of interaction makes you feel truly immersed in the character’s life.
Why Behind Your Eyes Redefines Storytelling
Before Your Eyes isn’t just about innovative mechanics—it’s a game that shows how storytelling in games can be deeply personal and emotionally engaging. The way the game weaves together memories, time, and the act of blinking creates an experience that feels incredibly human. It redefines how stories can be told in games by using mechanics that reflect the themes of the narrative in a meaningful way.
The emotional weight of the story is something that sticks with you. From the beauty of childhood memories to the pain of loss, Before Your Eyes handles complex emotions with care and authenticity. It doesn’t shy away from tough subjects, and that’s what makes the experience so powerful.
Final Thoughts
Before Your Eyes is more than just a game—it’s a profound storytelling experience that touches on the fragility of life, the power of memories, and the inevitable passage of time. Its unique blinking mechanic sets it apart, creating a deep connection between the player and the story. While the game is relatively short (about 1-2 hours), it’s an unforgettable journey that will leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished playing.
If you’re a fan of narrative-driven games that explore deep emotional themes Before Your Eyes is a must-play. It’s a game that proves you don’t need flashy graphics or complex mechanics to tell a powerful story—sometimes, all it takes is a blink.