Bethesda Game Studios’ long-awaited space-exploration RPG finally came out in September amidst high expectations, drawing from the developer’s illustrious history of making award-winning games. Promising everything from galactic discoveries to intriguing NPC encounters, space battles, and multifaceted missions, there was much to anticipate. As with any highly-hyped title, Starfield’s reception has proven to be deeply polarized.
Starfield appears to be an undeniable success. More than 10 million people have played it since launching and it’s still drawing players by the hundreds of thousands if not millions. That said, not everyone is singing its praises.
To further put this divide into perspective, when u/bogeyj asked on Reddit if Starfield was a top three Bethesda game, the responses mirrored this division. While some feel it holds potential, others classify it among Bethesda’s worst. Such split is common, as fans compared their experiences with Bethesda’s iconic games like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 4. A common criticism is how empty exploration in Starfield felt, as it lacked the impact of Bethesda’s earlier titles.
Is Starfield In Your Top 3 Favourite Bethesda Games?
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This reception disparity isn’t exclusive to Reddit. Somehow, it feels like the entire internet has something to say about Starfield. On Steam, Metacritic, OpenCritic, and several other sites, many echo similar thoughts. Starfield, while a good game, isn’t one of Bethesda’s outings.
A poignant critique surfaced around the perceived mirroring of gameplay elements from previous Bethesda titles like in Skyrim. Certain story progressions in Starfield echo Skyrim’s narrative beats, such as the discovery of special powers. Its decision to offer four primary factions with distinct quests is also reminiscent of Skyrim’s narrative structure. It begs the question: is Bethesda relying too much on a tried-and-true formula?
But, since we’re on the same topic, it’s a wonder why Bethesda didn’t spend more time fleshing out Starfield. Again, if we use Skyrim as an example, many stories told in the game are rewards for spending dozens of hours exploring. The Dwemer ruins, for example, tell tales of an ancient and powerful civilization that suddenly vanished. To date, nobody knows what happened to the Dwemer. Their fate remains a topic of speculation. Finally, collecting all eight Dragon Priests masks lets you collect a ninth “secret” mask, the Konahrik, which comes with its own questline.
Going back to the same thread, several players lamented design choices in Starfield that hindered the experience. Over-reliance on fast travel, a redundant skill progression system, excessive loading screens, and tedious shipbuilding were among the cited frustrations. Some voiced disappointment over the lack of alien cultures, especially when considering Bethesda’s knack for creating vibrant, diverse worlds.
Despite these criticisms, the core game mechanics resonate with many. Players find relaxation in exploration, potential in the game’s systems, and promise in its structure. Some believe that Starfield provides the perfect framework for the modders to craft an exceptional experience, evolving the game over time. This perspective seems to mirror Bethesda’s own approach to Skyrim, which continues to thrive due to its expansive modding community.
Yet, it’s hard to overlook the stakes. Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda was a significant move in the gaming industry, and many expected Starfield to showcase why such a purchase was warranted. With PlayStation leading the next-gen console race with titles like God of War, Spiderman, and The Last of Us, Microsoft was banking on Bethesda to level the playing field.
The question that emerges is: can a game still be good but not live up to the expectations set by its predecessors and the legacy of its developers? The jury seems to still be out. While Starfield has introduced players to a universe teeming with potential, for many, it remains in the shadow of Bethesda’s legendary titles.
If nothing else, Starfield serves as a reminder that in gaming, where nostalgia and evolution constantly duel, it’s not just about making a good game; it’s about making a memorable one.
