In the lead-up to the release of Starfield, opinions are swirling as fervently as stars in a galactic black hole. The gaming community seems to be more divided than ever. Yet, amidst the noise, certain themes stand out. In particular, the importance of reviews.
Unless you’ve lived in a remote space rock for the past few days, you might have noticed that leaks about Starfield have dominated the headlines. The exasperated response of a Bethesda executive following certain privy details spilling on the internet partly due to the widepsread distribution of early review copies have created quite the debate about why Bethesda probably shouldn’t worry too much.
For Bethesda Game Studios, critics’ reviews and the early leaks have traditionally mattered little. With a long history of producing some of the most customizable games in the industry, their fanbase often runs deeper than surface reviews. Consider The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a game that has not only seen staggering numbers in terms of mods downloaded but also showcases the avidity of its fan base with its newer Special Edition surpassing the OG version in terms of mod downloads due to its advanced 64-bit moddability.
Of course, this isn’t just Bethesda we’re talking about now. While the authority figures have remained the same over the years, much to the celebration of fans, the actual ownership of the company has since switched hands.
Microsoft, having acquired ZeniMax Media and thereby Bethesda, has placed a massive bet on the space-faring opera. The current sales numbers for Xbox Series S/X seriously lag behind the PlayStation 5, making Starfield crucial for shifting console dynamics, regardless of official statements.
Xbox is well aware of just how huge Starfield is. It’s a passion project with the full backing of an entire company that’s known for pouring their hearts and souls into their projects. Starfield needs to move units. Otherwise, what was the point of basically blocking it from becoming exclusive to the PlayStation 5?
Now, does Starfield need to receive universal acclaim and beat out titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Baldur’s Gate 3 to be considered a success? Perhaps not. Bethesda’s track record following the 2011 Game of the Year award for Skyrim isn’t exactly glowing with accolades. However, the value proposition of their games extends to beyond mere recognition.
Players like diving deep into these expansive worlds, spending hundreds of hours in vanilla playthroughs, only to return later for an even deeper experience – this time using mods. Bethesda’s games, for many, are less about the first run and more about the long journey, filled with detailed discoveries and narratives built by the players themselves.
It’s also been an extraordinary year for gaming, making it difficult for any game to shine. Yet, for many, Bethesda games have always held a unique charm. They might be termed as “mediocre” by some, but few other worlds are as immersive enough to make players lose themselves in it, drawing them into exploratory jaunts in random directions. Bethesda has always assured there will be something waiting for you around the bend, a discovery that feels exclusively yours.
What further sets Bethesda games apart, in many ways, is the depth of which they simulate life in whatever their game is set. While many games might offer surface-level systems with NPCs acting as mere mannequins, Bethesda’s titles treat characters as more simulated, adding layers of realism that are unparalleled. It’s not quite like having an AI-powered NPC but they feel as alive as can be without relying on controversial technology.
Ultimately, it’s this focus on in-depth experiences that lends every Bethesda game well to the modding community. You could even argue that the modding community has Bethesda to thank for giving them a platform. Many of the popular modding platforms, like NexusMods, started life as a collection for mods for classic Bethesda titles, in particular, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Over the years, as Bethesda’s stature and fame grew, so did the modding community along with it. Both have mutually benefitted from each other’s successes and we don’t see that stopping anytime soon.
However, as the launch nears, the age-old debate of the relevance of reviews crops up again. Critics and scores are often divisive, especially for significant releases. They can range from being overly critical to excessively generous, fueled by various biases or personal preferences.
This is why, for gamers, forming their own opinion might be the best way to approach Starfield. The game, after all, may still turn out to be a personal favorite, regardless of critical reception.
So, as Starfield prepares to launch, the gaming community stands at a crossroad. Will it live up to the high expectations set by Xbox, Bethesda, and the larger community? Will it bring back the glory days of Skyrim for Bethesda? Or will it be another divisive title that sparks endless debates?
Whether Starfield achieves critical acclaim or not, it’s bound to provide players with an expansive playground of many possibilities, ready to be molded, modded, and cherished for years to come.
