Info about Before Your Eyes:

Official game description:
  
_Before Your Eyes_ is a first person narrative adventure which tells the story of a soul’s journey into the afterlife using a new and innovative form of interaction—your real-life blinks.  
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.  
The game uses your webcam to immerse you in this story in a way you've never experienced before. You will learn to control the flow of the narrative with your actual eyes–blinking through precious memories of family, first love, and the rise of an artistic career. But soon the Ferryman will suspect you aren't showing him everything he needs to see. So he will force you deeper into the dark recesses of your most repressed memories, ultimately revealing a heartbreaking truth.  
By combining its innovative blink interaction mechanic with a charming world and a fully voice-acted story, _Before Your Eyes_ is a deeply emotional and relatable journey—one about the impossible expectations we place on ourselves and the regrets we carry with us.  
An earlier version of the game, titled _Close Your_, received the **Game Developers Choice** award at Indiecade and the **Student Award** at the Independent Game Awards (IGF), before receiving funding through a successful Kickstarter campaign.  
_CW: Before Your Eyes deals with themes of death, illness and grief_

Release date: Apr 8, 2021

Categories: Narrative Adventure, Interactive Fiction, Emotional Storytelling, First-Person Perspective, Story-driven Gameplay, Choice-based Narrative, Interactive Storybook Style, Exploration and Interaction

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game on Steam Deck faces significant stability issues, including frequent crashes and black screens. Additionally, the lack of a camera on the Steam Deck severely impacts the gameplay experience, as the game relies heavily on camera mechanics. While some users appreciate the unique control dynamics, the overall experience is marred by technical problems and a relatively short gameplay duration.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance data is limited, but available reports indicate positive experiences on Windows systems with 8-11GB VRAM.
  - Sample size: 84 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 20 reports): The game works well, with smooth interactions and no reported performance issues.
  - Caveats: 84 of 5806 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows that users find the game worth its price, even though it is short. Many users suggest buying it on sale, indicating that the full price might be considered high for the length of the game. However, the emotional impact and unique experience are frequently highlighted as reasons why it is worth the cost. The mentions of the game being worth it at sale prices around $2 and full price around $10 provide a clear range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 2.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently mentions that the game takes around 2 hours to complete. There are multiple references to the game being a 2-hour experience, which aligns with the typical total time to finish the game. There is no specific mention of separate times for story completion, session length, or endgame content, so those fields are marked as null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts slow and may initially feel boring, but it gradually draws players in with its emotional depth and unique storytelling, eventually becoming a deeply impactful experience.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Emotional investment and narrative progression
  - Time to anchor: 0h 30m
  - Friction: Slow pacing; Initial lack of clear direction; Boring initial scenes
  - Unlock drivers: Emotional depth; Unique storytelling mechanics; Narrative progression
  - Conditions: Willingness to engage with the narrative; Emotional state of the player; Use of webcam or mouse clicks for immersion
- Player Archetypes:
  - Emotional Story Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Emotional engagement and narrative depth
    - Playstyle: Immersive and reflective, focusing on the story and emotional experience.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: story lover; emotional gamer
    - Reference games: To The Moon; What Remains of Edith Finch
  - Completionist Explorer (sale)
    - Motivation: Achieving all game content and exploring different narrative paths.
    - Playstyle: Thorough and repetitive, aiming to complete all achievements and experience all story variations.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: completionist; achievement hunter
    - Reference games: Life is Strange; Detroit: Become Human
  - Innovative Mechanic Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing unique and innovative gameplay mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Experimental and curious, focusing on the unique mechanics and how they integrate with the story.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: innovative gamer; mechanic enthusiast
    - Reference games: Journey; The Stanley Parable


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Compelling and emotional story (weight 0.56): The game features a deeply moving and well-told story that many players found to be emotional, touching, and thought-provoking. The narrative is described as heartfelt, dramatic, and unforgettable, resonating strongly with players.
- Unique and innovative gameplay mechanics (weight 0.48): The game introduces unique mechanics, particularly the blinking mechanic, which players found innovative and engaging. The gameplay is described as novel, immersive, and interactive.
- Beautiful visuals and art (weight 0.36): Players praised the game's beautiful graphics, art style, and overall visual presentation. The game is described as gorgeous, stunning, and visually impressive.
- Great soundtrack and voice acting (weight 0.22): The game's soundtrack and voice acting are highly praised, with players describing the music as excellent, amazing, and nostalgic. The voice actors are noted for their solid performances.
- Good value for money (weight 0.11): Players feel that the game is worth the price, offering good value for money. The game is described as worth spending time on and worth it even on sale.
- Immersive gameplay and interaction (weight 0.1): The game offers an immersive experience with strong interaction and graphics. Players found the gameplay to be engaging and the overall experience to be immersive.

Common complaints:
- Blinking mechanic issues (weight 0.28): Players report difficulties with the blinking mechanic, including problems with blink detection, eye tracking, and the mechanic not being smooth or well-received.
- Game is too short (weight 0.17): Many players feel that the game's duration is too short, with some completing it in under 2 hours, making the price seem steep for the amount of gameplay offered.
- Story and narrative criticisms (weight 0.17): The story and narrative are criticized for being average, confusing, or repetitive, with some character arcs left unresolved.
- Price concerns (weight 0.13): The price of the game is a concern for some players, who feel it is too high for the length and content offered.
- Webcam and setup issues (weight 0.13): There are problems with webcam setup and usage, including complications and issues with tracking features.
- Technical and graphical issues (weight 0.12): The game has various technical issues, including crashes, graphical problems, and unappealing visuals.
- Blurry visuals and eye strain (weight 0.12): The game has issues with blurry visuals and causes eye strain, which can lead to discomfort and difficulty in gameplay.
- Gameplay and interaction limitations (weight 0.11): The gameplay is limited, with some players finding the interaction mechanics restrictive and the overall experience disappointing.
- Recalibration and eye detection problems (weight 0.1): Frequent recalibration is needed, and there are issues with eye detection, which can disrupt the gameplay experience.
- Soundtrack and audio criticisms (weight 0.08): The soundtrack is considered mediocre, and there are issues with voice acting and achievement translation errors.
- Health and accessibility issues (weight 0.06): The game may cause motion sickness, eye dryness, and is not suitable for players with certain conditions like dry eyes.

Gameplay feedback:
- Innovative blink-based interaction system (weight 0.46): The game uses an innovative blink-based interaction system that enhances immersion. This mechanic is central to the gameplay, allowing players to progress through the story and memories by blinking.
- Webcam and eye-tracking technology (weight 0.18): The game utilizes webcam and eye-tracking technology for its unique blinking mechanic. This feature is noted for its originality and how it integrates with the gameplay.
- Life, memories, and love themes (weight 0.13): The game's story revolves around themes of life, memories, and love. Players appreciate the emotional depth and the way these themes are explored throughout the narrative.
- Short but engaging gameplay (weight 0.12): The gameplay is described as short but very good. Players find the duration appropriate for the story being told, making it a brief yet engaging experience.
- Manual mode and accessibility options (weight 0.11): The game offers a manual mode option, allowing players to use mouse support instead of the webcam. This makes the game more accessible to a wider audience.
- Character interactions and development (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the interactions with various characters, such as Chloe and the ferryman, which contribute to the character development and overall narrative.
- Simple and easy gameplay (weight 0.08): The game is noted for its simple and easy gameplay mechanics. Some players mention that the difficulty is minimal, making it accessible to a broad range of players.
- Achievement system and replayability (weight 0.07): The game includes an achievement system that rewards players for micro-choices, adding replayability and encouraging multiple playthroughs.
- Visual and audio enhancements (weight 0.05): The game uses visual and audio enhancements, such as a blurry/watery filter and the recommendation to use headphones, to create a more immersive experience.
- Calibration and technical aspects (weight 0.03): The game includes a calibration process for the webcam and eye-tracking mechanics, ensuring that the gameplay runs smoothly and effectively.

Performance notes:
- Technical issues and bugs (weight 0.07): Some players have encountered technical problems such as game crashing and minimal bugs, including issues with blinking not working at times.
- Graphics quality issues (weight 0.05): Players have reported problems with the visual quality of the game, specifically mentioning a blurry effect and low resolution.
- Webcam calibration needed (weight 0.03): There are reports indicating that the game requires webcam calibration for optimal performance.
- Low system requirements (weight 0.03): The game has very low system requirements, making it accessible to players with less powerful computers, referred to as 'Potato PC requirements'.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended game (weight 0.3): Many players strongly recommend this game, especially for those who enjoy story-driven experiences. The high frequency of positive recommendations suggests a highly satisfying and engaging experience.
- Webcam recommended for best experience (weight 0.13): Several reviews suggest playing the game with a webcam for proper calibration and enhanced gameplay. This indicates that using a webcam significantly improves the gaming experience.
- Emotional impact praised (weight 0.13): The game is recommended for its emotional impact, with many players highlighting its ability to evoke strong emotions. This indicates a deeply moving and impactful narrative.
- Worth the price and time (weight 0.11): Players find the game worth its price and worth discovering. This suggests that the game offers good value for money and a rewarding experience.
- Play without prior knowledge (weight 0.09): Players recommend going into the game without any prior knowledge to enhance the experience. This suggests that the game's impact is heightened when discovered fresh.
- Play in one sitting (weight 0.08): Some players recommend experiencing the game in one sitting for the best impact. This suggests that the game's narrative and emotional journey are best experienced in a single, uninterrupted session.
- Blink detection settings (weight 0.06): Players suggest experimenting with blink detection settings to enhance the story experience. This indicates that the game offers different narrative experiences based on these settings.
- High ratings from players (weight 0.05): The game receives high ratings from players, such as 5/5 and 10/10, indicating a very positive reception.
- Use a mouse for gameplay (weight 0.04): Using a mouse is recommended for playing the game, suggesting that it provides a better or more intuitive control scheme.
- Wait for a sale if necessary (weight 0.04): Some players suggest waiting for a sale if the game is not currently discounted, indicating that while the game is worth playing, it might be better to purchase it at a lower price.
- Worth replaying (weight 0.02): The game is considered worth playing again, indicating high replay value and enduring appeal.
- Suitable for atmospheric game lovers (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for those who enjoy atmospheric games, suggesting a strong emphasis on mood and environment.
- Anticipation for future developer games (weight 0.02): Players express interest in future games by the same developers, indicating satisfaction with the current game and confidence in the developers' abilities.
- Profound and unforgettable experience (weight 0.02): The game is described as offering a profound and unforgettable journey, indicating a deeply impactful experience.
- Must-play for storytelling lovers (weight 0.02): The game is a must-play for those who love storytelling, suggesting a strong narrative focus.
- Immersive solo experience (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for an immersive solo experience, suggesting that it is best enjoyed individually.
- Comparison to other media (weight 0.02): The game is compared to other media like the 'To Your Eternity' anime, indicating similarities in emotional impact or storytelling.
- Save up to buy the game (weight 0.02): Players recommend saving up to buy the game, suggesting that it is worth the investment.

Other player notes:
- Camera required for gameplay (weight 0.03): The game necessitates the use of a camera to play, which could be a potential barrier or inconvenience for some players.
- Blink mechanic integrity (weight 0.03): Players are advising against cheating the blink mechanic, suggesting it is an important aspect of the game that should be experienced as intended.
- Price comparison to freddos (weight 0.03): Players are comparing the game's price to that of 4 freddos, indicating concerns about value for money.

Emotions:
- Sadness (weight 0.3): The emotional impact of the story, particularly themes of illness, death, and personal connections, resonated deeply with players. Many were moved to tears by the heartbreaking narrative, including scenes involving the loss of loved ones and pets, as well as the protagonist's struggles.
- Joy (weight 0.2): Players found joy in the game's beautiful storytelling, unique mechanics, and emotional depth. The engaging narrative, combined with innovative gameplay and a relatable story, created a positive and memorable experience.
- Moved (weight 0.06): The game's emotional journey and intimate storytelling left players deeply moved. Many felt a personal connection to the story, leading to a powerful and tear-jerking experience.
- Frustration (weight 0.05): Technical issues such as blink detection problems, blurry effects, and webcam issues caused significant frustration. The eye-tracking mechanics and frequent calibration needs disrupted gameplay and caused eye strain.
- Emotional (weight 0.05): The game's story and its depth had a strong emotional impact on players. Many were brought to tears by the narrative and the involvement of personal engagement through blinking mechanics.
- Gratitude (weight 0.03): Players expressed gratitude for the emotional journey and the game's impact. Appreciation was also shown towards the developers' execution and personal connections made through the game.
- Emotional Resonance (weight 0.02): Players were deeply moved by specific segments of the game, such as the story involving the mother and the ferryman, as well as the overall narrative and its emotional depth.
- Awe (weight 0.02): The game's narrative structure, emotional depth, and innovative use of eye-tracking technology left players in awe. The unique gameplay mechanics and impactful storytelling contributed to this sense of wonder.
- Emotional Resonance (weight 0.02): The game's emotional impact deeply moved players, evoking strong feelings and connections to the story.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Players were excited by the innovative gameplay mechanics and the engaging narrative. The unique gameplay experience and positive buildup contributed to this excitement.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): The game's effective use of eye-tracking technology and significant plot twists surprised players. The unexpected turns in the story and the ending caught many off guard.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): The game evoked feelings of nostalgia, bringing back memories of childhood and past relationships. Players were reminded of pleasant moments from their past.
- Touched (weight 0.01): Players were touched by the warm and engaging story, as well as the combination of storytelling and gameplay mechanics.
- Positive (weight 0.01): Players had an overall positive experience with the game, praising its mechanics, story, and emotional impact. The unique and emotionally rich gameplay received high ratings and feedback.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): The story's themes of depression, the protagonist's efforts, and the mother's expectations deeply saddened players. The emotional narrative and relatable characters contributed to this sadness.
- Reflective (weight 0.01): The game prompted players to reflect on the meaning of life and what truly matters. The story's depth and content encouraged introspection.
- Disappointment (weight 0.01): Technical issues such as eye strain and broken immersion led to disappointment. Some players felt the game did not meet the high expectations set by other reviews.
- Immersed (weight 0.01): Players felt immersed in the game due to its strong graphics and interactive elements. The visuals and gameplay mechanics contributed to a deeply engaging experience.}