Bethesda's forthcoming space odyssey, Starfield, promises to eclipse several titles in terms of depth, immersion, and its sheer content, with Xbox Game Studios boss, Phil Spencer, comparing it to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion but, only that it's set in space, more beautiful, and in many ways, better. But it seems, as with the mysteries of the universe, there's even more to it than meets the eye.
Speaking at Gamescom 2023 with IGN, Pete Hines, the head of publishing for Bethesda, the same guy asking the fans to watch a certain Netflix documentary, talked about an engrossing journey that it made him lose all sense of time. He claims he hasn't really come close to seeing Starfield through 150 hours or so in.
Yet, this anecdotal behemoth of gameplay might not be a universal experience. Todd Howard, Starfield's director, claims that the main storyline would revolve around the 30 to 40-hour mark. Perhaps it's a testament to the game's captivating nature that, given the depth of side quests and exploration, one can easily lose themselves for extended hours, like how Spencer apparently spent more than 200 hours playing the game.
But Starfield isn't just about longevity. The vibrancy of its universe has been described as having a plethora of games all packed into one massive experience. From Bethesda's previous blockbusters such as Fallout and Skyrim, this title seems poised to raise the bar. It offers players a kaleidoscope of roles to embody, leading them through experiences that could feel like entirely separate games within this universe. The sheer agency given to players' hands, to carve their unique paths and narratives, is astounding.
