Climbing Aboard the Starfield Journey, Prepare for a turbulent voyage as we delve into the world of Starfield. As a fervent enthusiast of Bethesda’s previous single-player RPG, Fallout 4, I found myself itching for another adventure within a Sci-Fi universe, replete with spaceships, lasers, and political intrigue. Starfield seemed like the perfect match, offering an exciting realm of exploration. However, the initial hours were akin to navigating uncharted space – filled with obstacles and challenges.
Starfield Description
Bethesda has masterfully crafted a sprawling Universe, steeped in intricate lore. While it may not be entirely distinctive, it shares similarities with iconic universes like The Expanse and Firefly, sprinkled with references to classic sci-fi films from Aliens to Blade Runner, and, of course, Interstellar.
The premise revolves around humanity’s exodus from Earth, embarking on a journey to colonize the stars. This narrative is richly packed, ready to unfold at every corner, making it easy to become deeply immersed. We’re united by the common goal of exploring the cosmos, regardless of our chosen background within the United Colonies or the Freestar Collective.
The early hours are universally shared in a mining camp, marked by a surreal Space Magic event, reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Beyond this point, Starfield’s vastness becomes evident, launching players into diverse directions as they assume command of their first spaceship. Conversations with fellow players often unveil surprises, as we traverse this intricate web of stories and quests.
Starfield is teeming with quests and adventures, mirroring the scope of Skyrim, with certain major quest lines still unexplored even after 70 hours of gameplay. The game’s central storyline remains relatively inflexible, primarily offering choices between being a virtuous hero, a wisecracking mercenary, or an uncompromising one. These choices lead to different philosophies before the final showdown.
Without delving into spoilers, the central plot deeply explores significant themes in a unique way, sparking meaningful discussions. The heart of Starfield lies in its side quests, where moral choices take center stage. Whether it’s a storyline inspired by The Boys from Brazil or ethical dilemmas concerning war criminals, players can shape their character’s morality in various ways.
The game features a diverse cast of companions, with a spotlight on Sarah, the virtuous leader of the constellation, and Sam, a former lawman with a daughter. However, my adventures were enriched by the eccentric scientist Barrett, who joined me on several missions. Each companion holds their own surprises and quirks, offering different dynamics for players to explore.
While facial animations have improved compared to Bethesda’s earlier titles, they still fall short of the lifelike performances seen in games like The Last of Us or God of War. Nevertheless, they complement the excellent voice acting, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
Despite its merits, Starfield isn’t without its flaws. The early gameplay can be quite challenging, with the initial hours feeling like a daunting hurdle. The vast map of stars feels small, separated by frequent loading screens. Takeoff and landing animations, often bypassed via the map screen, leave something to be desired, especially when compared to the seamless space travel in games like No Man’s Sky.
Another drawback is the absence of in-game maps, which complicates navigation. Inventory management, a crucial aspect of RPGs, proves to be frustrating, as players can’t view their inventory and companion inventories simultaneously. Additionally, the lack of storage space on early-tier ships can lead to inventory headaches.
The game’s complexity is another issue, as it fails to adequately explain its systems, withholding exciting features for too long. Early on, players cannot mod their equipment or use essential items like boost packs and stealth abilities. The world’s exploration, although visually varied, often feels barren and lifeless outside of crafted quest areas.
The game’s bugs, while present, are not game-breaking, and stability remains relatively good for a complex open-world RPG. The occasional model pop-in, crashes, and performance slowdowns are to be expected in such a vast world.
However, after a challenging beginning, Starfield gradually hits its stride, offering an engaging narrative and captivating combat experiences. While not exceptional, the combat system gets the job done, featuring various weapons and gear modifiers that add depth to gameplay. Ship-to-ship battles provide an entertaining diversion, offering thrilling dogfights in space.
Overall, Starfield’s journey is one that requires patience and persistence to fully appreciate. It may take a dozen hours to reach the captivating part, but once it does, the game’s narrative payoff and enjoyable combat make it worthwhile. There’s an abundance of quests, intriguing NPCs, and boundless exploration waiting to be discovered, beckoning players to venture deeper into its cosmos.