Bethesda recently unspooled a tantalizing web of chronology sweeping across 300 years, promising a massive and deep narrative so vast it could rival the legends of old.
The studio’s latest venture, Starfield, is a canvas painted with the colors of exploration, betrayal, and cosmic mysteries, with a journey that begins in 2050 – an era where humanity’s tenacious spirit eventually led to it to landing on mars. The red planet’s rugged landscapes now bear the footprints of humanity, serving as the prologue to a story that spans, not just planets but galaxies. In the coming half-century, space not only becomes a destination but also a home. These were the golden years of human colonization, culminating with mankind spreading its wings and reaching the Alpha Centauri star system by 2156.
The immense sea of stars, however, wasn’t without tempests. It birthed entities like the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective, reminiscent in some ways to the historical dichotomy of the Union and the Confederacy. The skirmish, known as the Narian War, unfolded between 2196 to 2216. The peace that followed, much like in our ancient histories, wasn’t an easy one, shattered shortly when the Freestar Collective, in what can be likened to a tragic dance of political maneuvers, broke the Treaty of Narion, sparking the Colony War in 2307.
Amidst this backdrop of intergalactic warfare, emerged the Constellation. Founded in 2275, they were the torchbearers of exploration, their mission resonating with the age-old human itch for discovery.
The organization’s swashbuckling pioneers wanted to chart unknown territories and decode mysteries behind enigmatic artifacts. Notable figures, among them being the space cowboy Sam Coe, the steadfast ex-soldier Sarah Morgan, and a scientist known only as Barrett, gave life and character to this group. There are whispers, faint yet persistent, that those playing Starfield might join the ranks of this very organization, immersing themselves in Bethesda’s ambitious celestial saga.
But where does our blue-green cradle, Earth, stand amidst this cosmic tableau? We know of its existence on Starfield’s star map and the exodus it saw during 2050-2100. Yet, the game shrouds Earth’s fate in mystery.
As our real world grapples with climate crises and political upheavals, one can only wonder if Bethesda’s rendition of a familiar planet faced similar trials, or perhaps something even more devastating. As fans comb through screenshots and pierce together clues, the speculations range from Earth being a futuristic quarantine zone to Bethesda deliberately obscuring it to circumvent the challenges of rendering familiar terrains.
And while the tapestry of time weaves tales of interstellar politics and exploration, a subtle undercurrent hints at what’s likely the game’s plot. Is there a lurking, galaxy-consuming evil? A malevolent entity, maybe the brainchild of one of the game’s corporations, waiting in the shadows? Perhaps the Crimson Fleet with their merry piracy, the insidious Xenofresh with their suspicious activities, or the snake-worshipping zealots of House Va’ruun hold the key.
Could Constellation, with all its nobility, have a darker side? One might want to heed the old wisdom: In the vastness of space, trust is a rare commodity.
Bethesda’s narrative architecture draws certain parallels with beloved tales from our culture. The Colony War, with the United Colonies’ siege of Vesta and the climactic Battle of Cheyenne, brings to mind cinematic spectacles from the Star Wars franchise, where underdog flotillas take on formidable armadas. The comparisons between the United Colonies’ ruthless aggression and the Empire’s galactic dominance are undeniable. One can almost hear the hum of lightsabers and the distant roar of starfighters.
As Starfield’s release date draws near, players worldwide hold their breath. Starfield, with its vast universe and intricate narratives, promises an odyssey that could redefine the RPG landscape. The unveiled timeline is but a taste, an appetizer for the grand feast that awaits. In the endless expanse of space, tales of bravery, betrayal, and discovery beckon. The question is: Are we ready to heed the call?
As we stand on the precipice of this new space age, the race against fiction is on, and the lines between our realm and that of Starfield blur a little more each day.
If you’re curious to find out what critics have to say about Starfield, make sure to keep an eye out for the game’s review embargo to lift within the next two weeks.
