Sleeping with others lets you level up faster in Starfield

A game as rich as Starfield can offer myriad ways to level up, whether it's completing the main story quests, taking out space pirates, or the tried-and-true method of visiting new worlds. However, a surprising method has emerged that has caught the attention of fans.

For those who forge a deeper bond with their companions, a unique bonus awaits.

Delving into the companionship dynamics, players can cultivate relationships with characters they encounter. Just like in previous Bethesda creations, Starfield allows players to kindle romance with select companions. This requires more than just battlefield camaraderie; a player needs to continually engage, often flirting and conversing, to weave the threads of intimacy.

In Starfield, unlike the real world where emotional connections are their own reward, these relationships have gameplay benefits. Once players successfully romance their chosen partner, Starfield will reward you with an "Emotional Security" buff, it's going to provide a 15 percent XP boost over the span of 24 minutes. For context, a solo sleep or a regular "Well Rested" state without a companion gives players a mere 10 percent XP gain.

Characters such as Andreja, Barrett, Sarah, and Sam Coe offer romantic story arcs. Sarah, in particular, is proving to be a complex companion to navigate.

While initially reluctant, perhaps even giving feelings of being "friendzoned," persistent players find her character arc as richly rewarding. She might begin as a slow-burning romance, pushing back players' advances, but the evolution of her relationship narrative showcases Bethesda's commitment to detailed storytelling.

Romancing isn't just a shallow, gamey add-on either. There's no concept of one-night stands in Starfield, emphasizing a need for genuine connection and commitment. Once a player has dedicated themselves to a partner, they are precluded from pursuing romance with others - unless they choose to end the current relationship. The game captures elements of real-life relationships; choices have consequences, and commitment means exclusivity.

One might think, does the loss of a relationship in Starfield lead to any emotional penalties, akin to its bonuses? It's an amusing concept, and one that may be added to Starfield via mods.

As expansive as Starfield is, with its promise of over hundreds of hours of gameplay and a seemingly infinite level cap, it's these intimate moments and mechanics that make the game truly memorable.

In the vast emptiness of space, Bethesda seems to convey that relationships, bonds, and emotional connections are the fuel that truly drives us forward, not just our spaceships. For whether you're exploring the Milky Way or the contours of a partner's heart, Starfield reminds us that the journey is as rewarding as the destination.