Before Your Eyes

Before Your Eyes

game

2021, Adventure, Indie

WISE
81%

WISE Score

84%

IGDB

A 90-minute gut-punch about life and death where your real blinks control time—you literally can't hold onto the moments that matter most.

Where to Play

Google Play
Google Play
PC/Steam
PC/Steam
App Store
App Store
Screenwise Verdict

Before Your Eyes is that rare game that uses its medium to say something genuinely profound. The blink mechanic isn't a gimmick—it's the entire point, forcing you to experience time's relentless march in a visceral way that no book or film could replicate.

This is a 90-minute emotional journey about a life cut short, parental expectations, unfulfilled potential, and the moments that define us. It will make you cry. It will make you think about your own life differently. And it will do all of this while you're literally unable to hold onto the moments that matter most because you can't stop blinking.

It's not for kids. The themes of terminal illness, death, and existential weight require real emotional maturity. But for teens and adults ready to engage with heavy subject matter, this is one of the most affecting gaming experiences you can have. Just make sure you're in the right headspace before you start—and maybe have tissues handy.

Age Fit

Best for teens 14+ and adults who can handle emotionally mature themes about mortality and loss. The mechanics are simple, but the emotional weight requires real maturity to process. This isn't a kids' game—it's a meditation on life and death that will resonate most with players who've experienced loss or are old enough to grapple with existential questions.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78

Emotionally mature narrative about life, death, family relationships, and the afterlife. Handles themes of loss, parental expectations, and unfulfilled dreams with sensitivity. No toxicity or cynicism, but deals with heavy subject matter including childhood illness and death. The pacing is contemplative rather than chaotic, and the story models the importance of cherishing moments and relationships.

Imaginative
92

Wildly original mechanic where your real-world eye blinks control time progression through memories—you literally can't stop blinking, so you can't hold onto moments, mirroring the game's themes about fleeting time. The narrative structure of reliving a life through key moments is creative, and the mythical Ferryman/afterlife framing is genuinely inventive. This is the kind of game that expands what the medium can do.

Safe
65

No monetization concerns (no IAP, no loot boxes, no online chat). However, IMDb parents guide rates 'Frightening & Intense Scenes' as Severe. Themes include death, terminal childhood illness, parental pressure, unfulfilled dreams, and the weight of mortality. One source notes mild profanity and mild references to alcohol/drugs. This isn't unsafe in a predatory sense, but it's emotionally heavy content that could be distressing for younger or sensitive players.

Enriching
88

Deeply philosophical exploration of mortality, memory, regret, and what makes a life meaningful. The 90-minute runtime creates space for genuine reflection on how we spend our time and what we value. The blink mechanic isn't just clever—it's a profound metaphor for how we can't control time's passage. Multiple reviews describe it as emotionally impactful and thought-provoking. This is the kind of experience that stays with you and prompts real introspection about life priorities.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Genuinely innovative gameplay mechanic that makes you feel the passage of time in a way no other game does—your inability to stop blinking becomes a metaphor for mortality itself
  • Short, focused experience (90 minutes) that respects your time while delivering emotional depth—this is storytelling that lingers
  • Thoughtful exploration of parent-child relationships, unfulfilled dreams, and what makes a life worth living without being preachy
  • Accessible gameplay that's more about experiencing a story than mastering mechanics—anyone can play this
  • The kind of game that sparks genuine conversations about life, death, memory, and what we value
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What to Watch For

  • Heavy themes of death, terminal childhood illness, and parental expectations—this will make you cry and requires emotional readiness
  • Requires ability to control blinking to some extent, which younger kids may struggle with (though the game accounts for natural blinking)
  • Mild profanity and brief substance references appear in the narrative
  • Not a 'fun' game in the traditional sense—this is an emotional experience that may leave players feeling heavy or contemplative

Conversation Starters

  • "What moments in your life would you want to relive if you could? Which ones would be hardest to let go of?"
  • "The game is about not being able to hold onto time—what does that make you think about how we spend our days?"
  • "How do you think the main character felt about their parents' expectations? Have you ever felt pressure to be something you're not?"
  • "If you could tell someone who died one more thing, what would it be?"
  • "What do you think makes a life meaningful, even if it's shorter than we'd want?"

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