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Starfield is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is scheduled to be released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S on September 6, 2023. The game is set in the 23rd century, and players will create their own character and explore a vast galaxy full of planets, moons, and space stations. They will be able to engage in a variety of activities, including combat, exploration, trading, and crafting. It also happens to be the first new intellectual property developed by Bethesda in over 25 years, and has been one of the most anticipated games of 2023.
As a Premium Edition preorder through Gamepass, I was able to play early. There are a lot of things to love about this game; its ambition, presentation, and visuals are what grab you immediately. I was prepared for any and all activities. It wasn’t five hours in that I experienced what I think is the biggest problem in Starfield: its lack of tutorial and user interface. I found myself with all these side missions in New Atlantis and couldn’t complete them with out digipicks (lockpicks). After awhile I did a google search that told me that they can be found random places OR can be bought at vendors. I went to every vendor in New Atlantis, no digipick. I then tried to leave the system to go to another system to complete another side mission only to find out I couldn’t travel to other systems at all.
It turns out the tutorial that got me to New Atlantis in the first place wasn’t completely telling me everything. I combed through the user interface for an hour trying to figure out how to fly to the other systems. It wasn’t until guides started dropping on the internet where I was able to continue the game. To be fair, some people playing early have been able to just gel with the game without the need for further instruction. I personally don’t see how, considering everything that I have found in an online guide is so different than what I was shown in the tutorial. So if you have that special super power, good for you. I wish I could say this complicated mechanic is a part of No Man’s Sky type of space travel, but it’s actually for fast travel. Fast travel makes up more of this game than actual space travel, which is also another let down.
For me, it’s really disappointing that for one of the crucial mechanics in this game, I need an online guide. It slows down the pacing of the game, which was off to a really good start. I now feel I have to have my phone handy because I’m still not one hundred percent on the space travel, and I don’t want my character to end up like Will Robinson…and I still can’t find those lockpicks!
Aside from that, once you’ve settled down on a planet, started doing missions that don’t have a stalling point, Starfield is certainly a fun game. It’s immersive atmosphere makes you feel like you are a space explorer at times. The combat controls are nice, and the character movements and models are smooth. All in all, its a game you can really sink into if you don’t mind mechanical annoyances.
I usually don’t rate a game by number; I know some other publications do. This game has been really divided since reviews have come out. The only thing I’ll say is that it isn’t a perfect ten, due largely to the rushed tutorials that will surely leave players rushing online to search for guides. Its a real big annoyance for me personally. If it sounds like that would be annoying for you, don’t worry about not having this title. Starfield, while fun, isn’t anything revolutionary. It’s an ambitious Bethesda game with a science fiction theme. Play Oblivion if you want fantasy, play Starfield if you want science fiction.
Damn what a let down. Was really hoping woth the long development time theu would’ve did a great story, action, and space flight. Was on the fence if I shoud get a box ro play it but now I’ll research and wait.