Who do you trust more when reading a review for an upcoming game? Someone who cleared through the entire story in easy mode to find out what it’s like to play it? Or would you prefer if the reviewer scanned through every nook and corner of the game? Most of us would prefer the latter.
This is probably what Bethesda Game Studios and Microsoft had in mind when they gave away the review codes for the upcoming open-world space opera, Starfield, so early, even if it resulted in leaks, much to the development team’s disappointment.
Still, we doubt Bethesda was expecting someone to spend hundreds of hours playing Starfield in two weeks, or even in less time.
I’ve now logged 110 hours in Starfield. I will now go to my own Starfield and sleep for the first time in a long time. Not long before the game goes live and we can start sharing videos 🙏 https://t.co/Ffjty7g9lG
— Camel 🐪 (@Camelworks) August 27, 2023
Such is the case of CamelWorks, who, according to his revelation on X, had logged logged 110 gameplay hours ahead of the official release of Starfield. This information not only underscores the game’s potential depth but also promises an exceptionally thorough review, the likes of which are rare in the fast-paced gaming community.
While you could argue that 110 hours in one week is within reach for content creators – who often log 16-18 hours a day when a new game or season drops – the number needs to be contextualized. Role-playing games, particularly the ones made by Bethesda, are renowned for their complexity and intricate detailing. Such games often require reviewers to invest substantial time to offer a well-rounded critique, which goes beyond simply completing the main quest and handful of side missions.
Reviews of this nature are invaluable to the gaming community, as they provide comprehensive insights into not just its gameplay mechanics, but also the game’s long-term viability and richness of content.
CamelWorks’ 110-hour gameplay log serves a dual purpose in this context. First, the hours offer the gaming community an indication of the content depth and quality they can expect from Starfield. Given CamelWorks’ reputation for high-quality and accurate game reviews, especially regarding Bethesda’s previous titles, such a significant time investment points to a game rich in content and complexity. Second, it serves as a business strategy. Releasing quality content as soon as a game’s embargo lifts is crucial for content creators aiming to expand their viewership, particularly when covering a new intellectual property.
For long-term fans of Bethesda titles, the prospect of a well-rounded review from a reputable source is enticing. Many can attest to the immersion offered by games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4 – although if you’d ask Phil Spencer, Starfield is more like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – where single playthroughs often exceed a hundreds hours minimum. The commitment displayed by CamelWorks suggests that Starfield might offer a similarly captivating experience.
CamelWorks’ considerable investment in pre-release gameplay time isn’t just a numerical feat. It stands as an early, yet significant, testament to Starfield’s content depth and potential longevity. As the gaming community eagerly awaits the game’s launch, this 110-hour gameplay log offers a promising preview of what could become another seminal title from Bethesda Game Studios. Therefore, when the eventual comprehensive review is released, it will not just be a review but a deep-dive analysis worth every gamer’s attention.
Between CamelWorks’ review and Pete Hines’ vote of confidence as well as that early but now much-maligned review, Starfield’s gamble to reach for the stars might just land it even further than it ever hoped for.
