With the quiet hum of the interstellar engines running in the background, it’s become clear that the launch of Bethesda Game Studios’ much-anticipated action role-playing game, Starfield, is on the horizon. As a matter of fact, review codes will disburse on August 17, casting a glimmer of the approaching space-faring experience.
It’s hard to recall a time when Starfield WASN’T the most hyped game on the market, but, believe it or not, we’ve only known about it since June 2018. The upcoming title, a venture into the unknown for Bethesda, the same crew renowned for crafting tales in Tamriel and the wastelands of post-apocalyptic America, has a tantalizing proposition – a trip to the stars from the same studio that created some of the most diverse worlds that gaming has had to offer for decades.
With Tom Henderson coming that reviewers will have at least two weeks to play Starfield and enjoy everything it has to offer, it speaks of Bethesda’s confidence in their product, and quite possibly, breaking a years-long trend for the company.
They go out later this week. https://t.co/TAYpSrnIOI
— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) August 14, 2023
Furthermore, Metacritic is hinting that the Starfield review embargo may lift as early as on September 1. Between this and the review codes being sent relatively early, we have an ideal situation: reviewers have ample time to navigate the cosmos of Starfield, embracing its tales, challenges, and characters. Such a generous time frame for critics shifts from the industry norm. The debacle surrounding late review codes, like those for Baldur’s Gate 3, which left reviews wanting and confined to mere glimpses of the game, seems to be a lesson Bethesda has heeded.
Starfield’s universe, boundless in its scope, promises myriad planets, unfolding tales, and hidden enigmas. As the days dwindle, the universe of Starfield calls out to us, inviting exploration.
However, the journey also comes with its own set of logistical challenges. Starfield is a behemoth, weighing in at 125 GB. Gamers, especially those on Xbox Series S with its limited internal storage, should think about their space allocation. It may be necessary for Xbox Series S and X owners to buy external SSDs or upgrade their internal storage to go on this journey.
Of course, based on what we’ve seen so far, this is worth the sacrifice. Fans have been itching to play Starfield, even using the snippets of pre-release video footage to piece together the game’s map and using every information released since to release a detailed compendium.
Very seldom do you see such fan fervor for a game that’s completely new to the eyes of many, but such is the gravity of a game like Starfield.
Yet, one can’t discuss Bethesda without acknowledging the shadow of the company’s past launches marred by stability issues and bugs. Their ambitious projects, while grand in scale, have historically stumbled at the starting line. Given the studio’s track record, waiting a week or two post-launch might be sage advice for some gamers.
Although if we’re being honest, we don’t think the bugs and issues as well as the surprising surge of Baldur’s Gate 3 will affect the welcoming arms of the gaming community as soon as Starfield takes off.
As we’ve echoed several times, Microsoft has poured significant resources to make and market Starfield. Furthermore, the additional time afforded to Bethesda by the lengthy delay allows for the sort of polish presumably reflected only on games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur’s Gate 3.
Ultimately, if you ask any fan of Bethesda, the best part about Starfield is not build-up to its lift off – it’s what happens after. After spending a decade making Todd Howard’s childhood dreams come true, the award-winning studio will then pivot to the next chapter of the Elder Scrolls saga, an equally anticipated endeavor that might be Howard’s last.
While uncertainties abound, the cosmos is rife with promise. Here’s hoping Bethesda’s latest journey is as enchanting as its predecessors. The stars await.
