A comprehensive game review

Starfield, released on September 6, 2023, is a landmark title for Bethesda Game Studios, marking their first new intellectual property in over two decades. Often described as 'Fallout in space', Starfield takes the player into the 'Settled Systems', a vast expanse housing hundreds of systems and thousands of planets and moons, situated far from our solar system. This setting is the backdrop for an epic story set three hundred years into the future, following humanity's expansion across the universe through the technology-enabling system 'jumps' akin to the Mass Relay system in Mass Effect.

In this expansive RPG, players start at the bottom of the space-faring ladder, crafting their character and embarking on a mysterious journey linked to an organization intent on uncovering the origins of the universe. The game's scope is significant, featuring more dialogue than Bethesda's previous titles, Skyrim and Fallout 4, combined. Players are plunged into a universe still feeling the remnants of a galaxy-wide war, living under threats from space pirates and alien creatures. Starfield offers an open-ended experience, allowing players to align with different factions, explore over 1,000 planets, build ships, and much more.

Despite its vast narrative and world-building, the main story of Starfield isn't excessively long, estimated to take about 18-20 hours to complete. However, the game's total content, including all side quests and achievements, extends the gameplay to around two hundred hours. The game's immense universe and immersive story make it a significant entry in Bethesda's catalogue and a potential candidate for Game of the Year accolades​​​​.

Game Setting and Storyline

"Starfield," set in a region extending 50 light-years from the Sol System called the "Settled Systems," introduces players to a rich and expansive narrative. In the 2050s, humanity's journey of exploration reaches Mars, and by the 2150s, faster-than-light travel via the "Grav Drive" is discovered. However, Earth's destabilizing magnetosphere forces humanity to colonize other star systems, beginning with Alpha Centauri in 2156. This leads to the establishment of the United Colonies (UC) and its capital, New Atlantis, on Alpha Centauri's planet Jemison.

By 2310, major factions like the UC and the Freestar Collective, which broke away from the UC in 2189, engage in a significant conflict known as the Colony War. The game's universe also includes other factions like the destructive cult House Va'ruun, the powerful conglomerate Ryujin Corporation, and the outlaw group Crimson Fleet.

Twenty years post-Colony War, the player, a space miner working for Argos Extractors, is thrust into a cosmic mystery. Tasked by the Constellation group — renowned galactic explorers — to locate an Artifact with peculiar gravitational effects, the player's journey begins with extracting this Artifact and experiencing a vision that propels them through time and space. The narrative unfolds as they deliver the Artifact to New Atlantis and join Constellation in a quest for more Artifacts, believed to be among humanity's greatest mysteries.

Players have opportunities to align with various factions, including the UC Vanguard and the Freestar Rangers, offering a dynamic and immersive role-playing experience. The story evolves as players encounter more Artifacts, face off against the mysterious "Starborn," and unravel the secrets of parallel universes and the Artifacts' role in destabilizing Earth's magnetosphere.

Starfield's storyline, set in a future where humanity has branched out among the stars, combines elements of mystery, exploration, and cosmic-scale conflict, offering players a deeply engaging narrative experience​​.

Exploration and World Design

In "Starfield," exploration and world design have been central talking points, especially when considering the game's deviation from Bethesda's traditional approach. The game is set in the vast 'Settled Systems,' encompassing hundreds of systems and thousands of planets. This setting enables a type of exploration that is both grand in scale and varied in its destinations.

However, the game has drawn criticism for its handling of exploration. Unlike previous Bethesda games like "Skyrim" or "Fallout," where exploration is a seamless journey filled with surprises and discoveries, "Starfield" has been described as lacking in interconnected exploration. The game’s planets, while numerous and procedurally generated, don't offer the same sense of organic discovery found in Bethesda’s earlier titles. In "Starfield," planets are more like isolated locations with fixed cities and random land around them, rather than fully fleshed-out regions. This design choice means that players don't stumble upon discoveries as they roam; instead, they fast-travel from one location to another, often missing the in-between moments that give a sense of place and continuity.

The game's scale, while ambitious, has been noted as a contributing factor to a certain thinness in the exploration experience. The vast number of planets can feel overwhelming, and the lack of a human touch in many of these locations diminishes the incentive to explore. While key locations like New Atlantis offer a densely packed and detailed experience, the broader universe often lacks this level of detail, leading to a feeling of disorientation and detachment.

The overall impact of this design approach is a sense of radical alienation for the player. While there are moments of brilliance when engaging with the game's content, such as quests and character interactions, the core experience of exploration — a hallmark of Bethesda's RPGs — doesn't quite hit the mark. The game, therefore, feels more like a series of disconnected experiences rather than a cohesive, exploratory journey.

In essence, "Starfield" brings a new approach to exploration and world design, focusing on the breadth of the universe rather than the depth of individual planets. While this offers a unique experience, it departs from the immersive and interconnected exploration that fans of Bethesda games might be used to​​​​​.

Gameplay Mechanics

In "Starfield," the gameplay mechanics encompass a variety of elements, including exploration, combat, and questing, which are integral to the overall experience.

Exploration plays a significant role in "Starfield," allowing players to traverse a vast universe with numerous star systems and planets. While the scale of exploration is impressive, it often involves fast travelling between locations rather than a continuous journey, which can detract from the sense of immersion. The game presents a mix of handcrafted and procedurally generated content, with key locations like New Atlantis offering detailed and rich environments. However, many planets can feel barren or repetitive, leading to a less engaging exploration experience in certain parts of the game.

Combat in "Starfield" has been noted for its improvement over previous Bethesda titles. The game offers a variety of weapons and a jetpack, adding a dynamic element to firefights. The gunplay is satisfying, and players have the opportunity to engage in both ground and space combat. Ship combat introduces a strategic element, requiring players to manage resources and make tactical decisions during battles. This aspect of the gameplay adds variety and intensity to the combat scenarios.

Questing is another core element, with a particular emphasis on side quests. The game's main questline, involving the collection of Artifacts and uncovering their mysteries, has drawn mixed reactions due to its narrative and structure. However, side quests, especially those involving various factions like the Crimson Fleet, stand out for their depth and engagement. These quests often involve intricate narratives, ethical dilemmas, and immersive scenarios that showcase the game's storytelling capabilities.

Overall, "Starfield" offers a mix of familiar Bethesda gameplay mechanics with new additions that contribute to a unique spacefaring experience. While certain elements like exploration may not fully meet expectations, the game's combat and questing provide depth and enjoyment, making it a noteworthy addition to Bethesda's repertoire of games​​​​.

Exploration and World Design

In "Starfield," exploration and world design mark a departure from Bethesda's previous games like "Skyrim" and "Oblivion." The vastness of Starfield's universe, encompassing over a thousand planets, is a key difference from the more densely-packed worlds of Skyrim and Oblivion. However, this scale has led to some criticisms regarding the game's approach to exploration.

In "Skyrim" and "Oblivion," exploration was a journey filled with discoveries and surprises. These games featured interconnected landscapes where players could stumble upon hidden locations, engage in unexpected encounters, and experience a sense of organic discovery. The worlds were richly detailed and every journey between locations felt meaningful, contributing to a cohesive and immersive experience.

Contrastingly, "Starfield's" exploration is often described as less interconnected and more fragmented. The game's numerous planets are procedurally generated, which sometimes results in them feeling less integrated and more isolated from each other. This design choice impacts the sense of discovery and immersion, as players frequently engage in fast travel between locations rather than experiencing a continuous journey across a connected world.

The size of Starfield's universe, while ambitious, has also been noted as spreading many planets too thin, offering less incentive for exploration. The game's map is divided into many chunks with loading screens in between, contrasting with the more unified maps of Skyrim and Oblivion. While Starfield does provide moments of brilliant exploration and discovery, the overall experience can feel more like navigating through a collection of isolated points of interest rather than a seamlessly connected world.

Despite these differences, Starfield does retain some of Bethesda's signature elements in terms of lore, quest design, and character development. The game's visual design, characters, and quests are considered some of the best in Bethesda's history, yet the team's choice to go for a universal scale has led to a loss of the interconnected exploration that made The Elder Scrolls and Fallout games so compelling.

In summary, while "Starfield" offers a vast and ambitious universe to explore, its approach to world design and exploration marks a significant shift from the more interconnected and organically discoverable worlds of Skyrim and Oblivion​​​​.

Graphics and Sound

In "Starfield" on Xbox, the graphics and sound design significantly contribute to the game's overall experience, though they come with both strengths and limitations.

Graphically, "Starfield" presents a visually appealing space RPG experience. The game shines particularly in its depiction of space landscapes, offering beautiful views that capture the vastness and awe of space. The visual differences between the Xbox Series X and Series S versions are mainly in the details. The Series X version achieves a 4K output, while the Series S seems to render at about 1440p. This results in the Series X version having sharper images and better resolution in reflections, though both versions deliver a visually pleasing experience on a 4K TV. The use of AMD's FSR 2 upsampling technology helps in achieving these high-quality visuals on both consoles​​​​.

The sound design in "Starfield" complements the visuals, enhancing the immersive experience of exploring space and distant planets. The game's audio effectively captures the essence of its various environments, from the bustling hubs of civilization to the eerie silence of unexplored planets. The sound effects, from the hum of spacecraft engines to the environmental ambiences of different planetary surfaces, contribute to a sense of realism and depth in the game's universe.

However, the game does face some criticisms in terms of exploration and world design, particularly in comparison to Bethesda's previous titles like "Skyrim" and "Oblivion." The vast scale of the universe in "Starfield" means that many planets feel procedurally generated and lack the interconnectedness and organic discovery found in earlier Bethesda games. This affects the exploration experience, making it feel more fragmented and less immersive than the more unified and detailed worlds of "Skyrim" and "Oblivion"​​.

Overall, while "Starfield" on Xbox offers visually stunning and audibly rich experiences, the game's approach to exploration and world design marks a significant shift from Bethesda's traditional style, impacting the overall feel of the game.

Performance and Technical Aspects

In "Starfield" on Xbox Series X, the game runs at a steady 30 frames per second (fps), providing a smooth and consistent gaming experience. Despite the locked frame rate, the performance is stable and effectively showcases the game's vast universe and detailed environments. The Xbox Series X version benefits from the console's powerful capabilities, ensuring that players can explore the space-themed RPG without major performance issues. Although there are occasional technical hiccups, they do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, "Starfield" on the Xbox Series X offers a solid and reliable performance, aligning with Bethesda's reputation for creating immersive gaming worlds.

Strengths and Weaknesses

"Starfield," developed by Bethesda Game Studios, has garnered a mix of reactions, showcasing both strengths and weaknesses in its gameplay and design.

Strengths

Expansive and Immersive World

The game has been praised for its vast and immersive universe, rich in lore and detail, creating an engaging space-faring experience​​.

Complexity and Depth

Starfield features a complex galactic tapestry filled with history, politics, and lore. The game allows for immense freedom, enabling players to explore planets, mine resources, and engage in a wide range of activities beyond the main quest line​​.

Ship and Base Building

The game excels in its ship design and base-building mechanics, with aspects so detailed they could form entire games on their own​​​​.

Visuals and Audio

The game's visuals are striking, featuring stunning celestial bodies and intricate spacecraft, complemented by a rich audio design​​.

Weaknesses

Lack of Consequential Choices

Critics have noted that the game's role-playing elements lack deeper, consequential choices, with many decisions not significantly impacting the game's direction​​.

Technical Limitations

There have been criticisms regarding the technical limitations of the engine, which affect the development of gameplay elements​​.

Overwhelming Complexity

The depth and complexity of the game can be overwhelming, with a multitude of controls and gameplay features that can be confusing and frustrating​​.

Procedural Generation and Exploration

The game's reliance on procedural generation for its planetary surfaces and the lack of unique content between spaceflight sequences have been criticized. Many structures on the planets look alike, diminishing the sense of discovery​​.

Narrative and Social Aspects

Interacting with the various factions and navigating the narrative can be challenging, with mistakes leading to unintended consequences in the story arc​​.

Overall, "Starfield" offers a compelling space adventure with impressive visuals and deep mechanics. However, its approach to exploration, role-playing elements, and the overwhelming complexity of its systems can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game's strengths in world-building, ship customization, and freedom of exploration provide a unique and engaging experience for players.

Comparison with Previous Titles

When comparing "Starfield" to previous Bethesda titles, several key differences and similarities emerge:

Narrative and Storytelling:

"Starfield" shares the narrative depth and complex storytelling that Bethesda is known for. However, its overall consistency and scope are seen as superior to "Skyrim," with more significant moral dilemmas presented to players. This depth in story may start slow but gradually expands into a rich tapestry of cosmic exploration and philosophical themes​​.

Combat Mechanics

The combat in "Starfield" differs markedly from "Skyrim." While "Skyrim" focused on melee and magic combat, "Starfield" offers a polished first-person shooter experience. It also includes a more straightforward, tier-based skill upgrade system, compared to Skyrim's skill progression based on ability usage. Although some critiques have been made about weapon variety and enemy AI in "Starfield," its FPS mechanics are considered more refined than the somewhat dated combat systems of "Skyrim"​​.

World Exploration

The exploration in "Starfield" and "Skyrim" presents a stark contrast. "Skyrim" is renowned for its densely packed content within a smaller world, where every interaction and location leads to significant discoveries. On the other hand, "Starfield" offers exploration on a grander scale, with over a thousand planets. However, this vastness sometimes results in a lack of content density and variety on the procedurally generated planets, which can affect immersion and make exploration feel repetitive​​.

Technical Performance

"Starfield" has been noted for its relatively stable launch, with fewer game-breaking bugs compared to some previous Bethesda titles. Despite some minor technical issues, these have not significantly detracted from the overall gaming experience​​.

Community and Modding

Bethesda games have a strong tradition of supporting mods, and "Starfield" is no exception. However, the modding community for "Skyrim" is more established, having significantly expanded and enhanced the game over a decade. In contrast, "Starfield's" modding community is still in its early stages, and its full potential remains to be seen​​​​.

Reception and Ratings

"Starfield" has received mixed reviews compared to previous Bethesda games. On Steam, "Starfield" has a lower rating than "Fallout 76," "Fallout 4," and "Skyrim," indicating that it might not have met the high expectations set by its predecessors​​.

Overall, "Starfield" carries forward Bethesda's legacy of rich storytelling and open-world exploration, while introducing new elements like FPS combat and a vast universe to explore. However, its reception has been more mixed, particularly regarding exploration depth and the game's technical performance compared to the more universally acclaimed titles like "Skyrim."

Personal Experience and Conclusion

Playing "Starfield" has been an experience that combines elements of exploration, storytelling, and strategy in a vast cosmic setting. The game's ambition is clear, offering a universe of over a thousand planets to explore and a deep narrative that gradually unfolds into a compelling cosmic journey.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed in "Starfield" was the flexibility and depth in character creation and class customization. The choices made during character creation are meaningful and impact the game's narrative and interactions in surprisingly nuanced ways. This attention to detail in character class and customization choices stands out, providing a more personalized experience compared to other games​​.

The ship combat and management system in "Starfield" is another highlight. It offers a slow and strategic approach that fits well with the game's overall pacing. Managing ship systems, engaging in combat, and customizing ships add a unique dimension to the gameplay. The ability to recruit and manage companions, who can be assigned to outposts or ships, also adds a strategic layer to the game, making these elements enjoyable and rewarding​​.

However, there are areas where "Starfield" could be improved. The conversation mechanics sometimes feel sterile and inconsequential, lacking the depth and impact that might be expected from such a narrative-driven game. This is a notable departure from the immersive dialogues and meaningful choices often found in Bethesda's previous titles like "Skyrim" and "Oblivion."

Additionally, the exploration experience, while vast, is interrupted by cutscenes that can detract from the sense of immersion. Unlike "Skyrim" and "Oblivion," where you could seamlessly travel from one end of the map to the other, "Starfield's" exploration is often segmented, breaking up the flow of the game. This fragmentation, combined with similar cutscenes, can diminish the sense of a continuous, interconnected world​​.

In conclusion, "Starfield" is an ambitious and expansive game that delivers in many areas, particularly in character customization, ship management, and the sheer scale of its universe. However, its approach to conversation mechanics and the segmented nature of its exploration could be further refined. Overall, it's a game that offers a unique and engaging experience, but it might not fully satisfy players looking for the depth of exploration and impactful choices found in Bethesda's earlier titles.

Rating

Reflecting on my personal experience with "Starfield," I would rate it an 8 out of 10. This rating is influenced by the ambitious scope of the game and the detailed universe it presents, which I found to be impressive and immersive. The character customization and ship management mechanics added depth and a unique flavor to my gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

However, this rating also considers some aspects that fell short of my expectations. The conversation mechanics in the game, while adequate, didn't feel as impactful or engaging as I had hoped. This was particularly noticeable when compared to the dynamic and influential dialogue systems I've enjoyed in other role-playing games. Moreover, while the galaxy was mine to explore, the actual experience of exploration was often interrupted by similar cutscenes, breaking the sense of immersion I typically seek in open-world games.

I also found that, although the game's narrative and setting were expansive, they sometimes lacked the cohesion and depth that would have elevated the experience further. The story had moments of intrigue but also periods where it felt disconnected or too convenient, impacting my connection with the game's world.

In summary, my rating of 8/10 for "Starfield" is a reflection of its strengths in creating a vast and visually stunning universe with innovative gameplay elements. However, it also acknowledges the areas where the game could improve, particularly in terms of narrative depth, dialogue engagement, and the fluidity of exploration.