After much anticipation and hype, Starfield finally made its maiden voyage earlier this month, much to the delight and criticism of fans and critics alike. Of course, since it’s a game made by Bethesda Game Studios, it’s next to impossible not to draw comparisons with Bethesda’s previous works. Unfortunately, while Phil Spencer compares Starfield to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and others will describe it as “Skyrim in space”, it’s earning a distinction that places it in rare negative company among Bethesda’s treasure trove of award-winning titles.
Starfield and Fallout 76 have nearly identical user review scores on SteamDB at 71.67% and 71.75%, respectively. Thus, you can’t blame gamers for feeling a sense of déjà vu, especially as both have faced criticism on various fronts, ranging from graphics to gameplay dynamics.
It certainly doesn’t help Starfield’s case that it launched in the same month that Cyberpunk 2077 got its 2.0 update with an incoming Phantom Liberty DLC nor just months after Baldur’s Gate 3 came out, to much critical acclaim. Even when compared to older classics, like, let’s say, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which was recently re-released on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X, the experience of Starfield feels noticeably underwhelming.
A quick glance at the user reviews on Steam will tell you that this isn’t a typical review-bombing campaign. Starfield, for all of its polish and luster, lacks the depth and “soul” that other leading RPGs, including Bethesda’s very own award-winning titles, had.
Some aren’t as quick to lob judgment on Starfield. As a Bethesda title, Starfield will age like fine wine. The release of a healthy mix of post-launch expansions, mods, and fixes, will undoubtedly “fix” Starfield and make it realize its potential. But, the consensus remains – at present, it leaves much to be desired.
Moreover, Starfield, which was supposed to be a technical showcase for the Xbox Series S/X, feels and looks like a last-gen game when compared to Cyberpunk 2077. It feels as if it’s stuck in 2015, falling short in the graphics, animation, and attention to detail.
To make matters worse, Starfield, which is Bethesda’s least buggy game to date and reportedly benefits from being the biggest exclusive to hit the Xbox so far, has performance problems. This only fuels criticism that Starfield’s performance requirements and issues don’t match its visual quality, making the overall gameplay experience feel less than satisfactory.
Now, this doesn’t mean that Starfield is as bad as Fallout 76. For all its quirks, Fallout 76 remains the benchmark if we’re talking about the opposite of the gold standard. It was a monumental miss for Bethesda, one that it likely won’t make in the future again. If it’s any consolation, public opinion on Fallout 76 has since improved. To say that Starfield is equal to Fallout 76 is unfair. They’re both completely different games. Indeed, it’s easy to appreciate the good that comes with Starfield, from its vast modding potential to its expansive universe and certain gameplay elements that promise a brighter future after patches and expansions.
Yet, we still can’t deny that it deserves a chunk of the criticism that it’s receiving. Starfield is huge in comparison to many other games, but it also feels empty. It lacks the dynamism and immersion offered by details decades older than it is. Its cities feel devoid of life and activity with zero semblance of daily routines or random events that add depth to the gameplay and are good for a chuckle or two – who doesn’t miss seeing the occasional dragon swooping in to attack Whiterun and its many other cities?
Additionally, mechanics like trading and piracy, which could have added intricate layers to the gameplay, are described as hollow and disappointing. The lack of an interactive market simulation or a believable trading ecosystem undermines the potential depth the game could have offered.
With all that said, what’s undeniable is the passion of the gaming community. Players aren’t merely critics. For the most part, they’re fans who yearn for an enriching experience. While Starfield might currently have its glaring shortcomings, its potential is immense.
The space and scope Starfield offers can pave the way for modders and developers to transform it into an RPG classic in the years to come.
However, the question remains – should a game be judged by its potential future or its present reality?
It’s a question that we’ll leave with you as you yonder beyond the cosmos and try to find the meaning of life in Starfield.
