A Journey Through the Stars, But Missing the Spark
Starfield arrived with a lot of excitement. As Bethesda's first major new franchise in years, it had a lot to live up to, especially following the beloved Fallout and Elder Scrolls series. This game promises to be a massive single-player experience without any transactions, live service, or co-op play. On paper, it sounds like it should be a hit. Unfortunately, while it has its moments, it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors.
The game does have a decent story. You'll meet various NPCs and factions as you navigate a well-crafted universe. There's a solid amount of lore, plus numerous enemy factions and alien creatures to discover and combat. You can even engage in space combat with your own customizable ship, which feels like a fun addition. There are cities, settlements, spaceports, mines, and factories to explore, alongside a range of weapons and an extensive skill tree that offers some interesting gameplay choices. The way your decisions can impact your relationships with NPCs is a nice touch too.
So, if all this sounds good, what's the issue? For me, it's the thrill of exploration that's missing. In games like Skyrim and Fallout, I felt a constant urge to explore the world because you never knew what might be around the next corner. Sadly, Starfield isn't the same. The game is filled with loading screens, which really breaks the flow. Instead of wandering freely from one place to another, you find yourself hopping into a ship, flying into space, landing on a planet, exiting the ship, and then searching for your destination. Each little journey comes with multiple loading screens, and quick travel feels like it defeats the purpose of exploring the vast universe.
Another frustrating aspect is how some side missions play out. After joining various factions, some tasks feel utterly pointless. There was this one mission where I had to fetch a cup of coffee for someone in charge. Three loading screens just to serve a hot beverage? It honestly takes away from the experience when you're doing chores in a vast space setting.
On the brighter side, the shooting mechanics are a solid improvement for a Bethesda game. The guns feel enjoyable to use, though I often found myself confused about ammo types. With so many fictional calibers, it's tough to keep track. There are also a few familiar firearms from Earth, which at least help you know what you're dealing with.
Ultimately, Starfield isn't a bad game. It has some good elements, and there are certainly fun experiences to be had. However, given the massive expectations, especially from a studio like Bethesda that has given us classics like Skyrim and Fallout, it feels like it falls short of being their best work yet.
**Rating: 7/10**
