As the imminent launch of Bethesda’s newest blockbuster, Starfield, approaches, Xbox’s bigwig, Phil Spencer, recently rubbed into the faces of fans what it’s like to be the head of one of the largest console manufacturers in the world.
As the boss of Microsoft Gaming, Spencer gets first dibs on every in-development game that falls under the Microsoft umbrella – and he’s made use of every single second of it.
Spencer let it slip that he has clocked more than 200 hours on the game since last November, confidently comparing Starfield to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion over The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
For the uninitiated, both Oblivion and Skyrim hail from the iconic Elder Scrolls series, albeit differing in both flavor and mechanics. While Skyrim offers a grounded and gritty fantasy, Oblivion thrills with its quirkier moments and complex role-playing game mechanics. And if Spencer’s assessment stands accurate, gamers can anticipate a more profound, intricate, and possibly eccentric adventure set against the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Phil Spencer is a SPACE PIRATE & Has Over 200 HOURS in Starfield! The more I hear & see about this game the more excited I become. 7 Days for EA and 12 days till FULL RELEASE! #Starfield pic.twitter.com/y2llKAPsbd
— 8Bit Nostalgia 🎮 (@8BitNostalgiaTV) August 24, 2023
The upcoming epic space opera allows players to embrace varying roles. The head honcho himself has gone full “space pirate”, an adventurous pathway where attacking and boarding civilian vessels, smuggling, and trading contraband are the norm. This expansive character choice hints at the rich narrative and replayability options reminiscent of Oblivion. Whether you decide to be a pirate, a space cop, or perhaps even a space bard (for those keen on bringing back the nostalgia of the Adoring Fan), Starfield promises a fresh experience every time you venture into its galactic sandbox.
Delving deeper into the comparison, let’s reminisce about Oblivion’s charm. Its immersive quests were lauded for their inventiveness and depth. Whether it was getting trapped in a painting, encountering a homicidal unicorn, or navigating the whimsical challenges of the Daedric Princes, the escapades in Cyrodiil always felt like a novel surprise, making the experience richly rewarding.
Skyrim, on the other hand, although acclaimed for its main quest, arguably lacked the depth of the guild quests offered in its predecessor. Oblivion’s Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood storylines were simply unrivalled in their complexity and entertainment value. The notion that Starfield might take cues from such inventive narratives, while set against the backdrop of space, is exhilarating. Imagine intertwining the magic of Oblivion’s storytelling with the vastness of the cosmos – quests that push the boundaries of space-time, encounters with alien Daedric-like entities, or perhaps even a starship heist à la Ocean’s 11!
However, the comparisons don’t just end at storytelling. There’s significant emphasis on the return to deeper and more nuanced RPG mechanics – something fans fervently desire. Even though Skyrim was huge in terms of atmosphere and streamlined gameplay, the award-winning title sacrificed the complexity and intricacy of its RPG elements, “dumbing” the system down in favor of catering to a wider audience, reflective of The Elder Scrolls’ more mainstream popularity. Oblivion, on the other hand, provided players with a diverse and sophisticated system that constantly engaged and challenged them, from refining weapons to guild promotions.
The allure of Starfield, therefore, lies in its potential blend of innovative storytelling with a refined RPG framework.
For Xbox and Bethesda, the stakes are sky-high. After a series of purchases, including Bethesda, and a massive failure in Redfall, Xbox is under pressure to deliver smash hits. Starfield stands as a potential game-changer, a beacon that might signal Xbox’s return to glory and affirm its investments in top-tier developers. Conversely, should it fail to impress, it could jeopardize the brand’s trajectory and cast doubts on future anticipated titles like Fable and Avowed.
In a week, the galaxy of reviews will unfold – technically, one’s already out and it’s hilarious – unraveling the mysteries of Starfield. While most of us haven’t clocked 200 hours like Spencer, the anticipation remains the same.
Oblivion or Skyrim, Starfield’s promise lies in its potential blend of best-of-both-worlds, charting a course for what may just be the RPG of the generation.
And, by the way, while we’re on the topic, don’t forget that Virtuous Studios is reportedly working on a remake of The Elder Scrolls V: Oblivion on top of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
