Phil Spencer thinks that Starfield is more like Oblivion than Skyrim

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.