November 9th 2024.
Is the hype surrounding Starfield justified? A reader recently shared their perspective, arguing that the game falls short and is the weakest title from Bethesda. As someone who has played and enjoyed all of Bethesda's single-player RPGs since Daggerfall, I felt compelled to offer a different viewpoint.
I have journeyed through Ashlands and Wastelands, battled ancient vampire families and teleporting scientists, and faced formidable creatures like dragons, deathclaws, giants, and super mutants. I have even slain an undead dragon in Blackreach and conquered the raiders of Nuka-World. In short, I have spent countless hours immersed in the meticulously crafted worlds of my favorite game designers, and I have loved every minute of Bethesda's "live another life, in another world" approach to game design.
When Starfield was finally released last year, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. However, after just a few days of playing, I found myself bitterly disappointed. I tried to convince myself that it would get better, but unfortunately, I was wrong.
While Bethesda's strength has never been in cinematic storytelling or smooth, precise first-person shooter gameplay, they have always excelled in creating immersive and expansive worlds for players to explore. This is where Starfield falls short. For the first time, I must agree with the criticism that the game's world is "wide as an ocean, deep as a puddle."
In other Bethesda titles, such as Skyrim, Morrowind, Fallout 3, and Fallout: New Vegas, you could emerge from a sewer, disembark from a ship, or leave a vault and head in any direction, confident that you would find adventure. This is not the case in Starfield. There are no points of interest or real content to discover. Instead, you will endlessly encounter recycled enemy encampments with generic plots. It becomes monotonous and lacks the allure of exploration that is a hallmark of Bethesda games.
Even when you travel to different planets or systems, there is little to do or see. The game's universe feels bland and empty, with only a handful of forgettable wildlife and the occasional asteroid or spaceship to encounter. Some may argue that this is realistic for space exploration, but in this case, realism is dull. If you enjoy Starfield, that's great, but for those on the fence, I would suggest skipping this "paint drying simulator."
That being said, the game does have its moments of brilliance. Some of the quest lines are enjoyable, and the main story is interesting the first time around. However, once you have completed these few experiences, there is little else to keep you engaged in this lackluster universe.
I have been told by Starfield defenders that this is a realistic portrayal of space, but I can't help but feel that it falls short of what Bethesda is capable of. Perhaps their next game, The Elder Scrolls 6, will be the true successor to their previous masterpieces. However, I have learned my lesson and will wait for others to take the risk of buying it early before I invest my money.
In conclusion, while Starfield may have its redeeming qualities, it ultimately fails to live up to the high standards set by Bethesda's previous titles. As a fan of their work, I hope that they will return to their strengths and deliver a truly immersive and captivating world in their next game. Until then, I will be eagerly awaiting the release of The Elder Scrolls 6, but I won't make the mistake of buying it early again.
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