Starfield | Xbox Review

I have a confession to make and it’s something that’ll make every gamer cringe – before a few weeks ago I’d never played a Bethesda RPG. I know I know, I’ll turn in my gamer card now! It’s just that I’ve never really been a fan of the fantasy genre which rules out Elder Scrolls, and Fallout always fell short of hooking its claws into me.

Before its release, Starfield was famously marketed as ‘Skyrim in Space.’ Having never played Skyrim, the ‘…in Space’ part still grabbed my attention. As someone who actually liked No Man’s Sky (even at launch), and as a first-person shooter fanatic, Starfield seemed right up my alley. It may not be perfect, but this game still managed to become my newest gaming obsession, while also becoming the exclusive hit that Xbox sorely needed.

Four…Three…Two…One

The story of Starfield is set in the 24th Century after a catastrophic event that left Earth uninhabitable. Humanity was forced to colonize the stars, and establish new homes in the hundreds of star systems in an area of the Milky Way Galaxy known as the Settled Systems. You play as a fully customizable character starting out as a lowly blue collar miner who stumbles upon a mysterious artifact possessing “otherworldly” properties. You then join up with a secret society of scientists and knowledge seekers called The Constellation and you’re on a mission to find other artifacts spread throughout the Settled Systems, and learn about its origins. Various members from Constellation will join you as companions while on your journeys.

There is certainly no shortage of things to do in Starfield beyond the main campaign. There are TONS of side quests and faction quests, all with their own stories and unique cast of characters. In fact it’s very easy to slip down a side quest rabbit hole, as most of the faction stories were just as rich in narrative as the campaign. So much in fact that you might forget what game you’re playing. I certainly did!

At first I made the – I don’t want to call it a mistake – but let’s say I got easily distracted by a large faction quest that practically turned the game into a Space Western for several hours in my playthrough. Unfortunately, I encountered a glitch which prevented me from progressing with that storyline. Soon afterwards, I decided to get back on track and just barrel through the main quest. I appreciated how your choices matter and can permanently shape your progression, faction allegiance, and relationships with others in the game. These side quests and exploring the galaxy is the reason why (as I mentioned in the intro) Starfield is my current gaming obsession.

Earth Below Us

Starfield revolves around space exploration. My initial experience with No Man’s Sky certainly influenced my expectations when I first launched the game. At first glance the parallels seemed obvious: explore planetary surfaces, gather resources, scan your surroundings, and encounter alien life forms. However, it didn’t take long to realize that the resemblance was only surface-level and I had to unlearn my preconceptions of Hello Games’ infamous title.

While the idea of limitless space travel in Starfield may evoke obvious comparisons, it comes with a notable trade-off. Unlike the seamless and uninterrupted journeys of No Man’s Sky, Starfield’s universe is punctuated by load screens and fast-travel options. This lack of unfettered freedom might disappoint some, but it was a necessary compromise. This ensured that every nook and cranny of the galaxy is teeming with intricate design and narrative depth. In this way, Starfield strikes a balance, delivering a profound and immersive universe while acknowledging the challenges of achieving space traversal with some restraint.

Drifting, Falling

Based on everything I could learn about Skyrim without actually PLAYING it, Starfield provided a stellar space-opera RPG experience, incorporating the well-known elements frequently found in traditional Bethesda RPGs; in some cases mirroring them one-to-one. The main draw of this game is the space exploration, but it also happens to be a great sci-fi shooter as well. Players can customize and upgrade their starships, align with certain factions while fighting other factions in shootouts, and form bonds with companions who can aid in combat and inventory management. While Starfield offers the flexibility of playing in either first or third person, I’m sad to say I don’t recommend playing third person. It’s a little unrefined and less polished, especially in combat.

Starfield offers a rich array of weaponry, spanning both futuristic energy and traditional ballistic arms, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and customizable melee options. What sets these weapons apart is their full customization potential, with workbenches scattered across the galaxy allowing you to modify them using gathered resources. Whether you have a preference for the visceral punch of ballistic firearms or the high-tech allure of energy weapons, the choice is yours.

I was, however, caught off guard by Starfield’s UI, particularly with the inventory management, which proved to be a stumbling block in the early hours of gameplay. Considering my inexperience with Bethesda RPGs, it felt cumbersome and lacked the straightforwardness players might expect. This initial confusion and frustration even had me on the verge of uninstalling the game. Yet, as I persisted, I gradually began to understand its intricacies, making it more manageable. The anticipation of planetary exploration, space dogfights, and intense ground battles against pirates and ravagers fueled my determination, pushing me onward until I found that “ah-ha” moment.

Floating Weightless

Starfield’s graphics are impressive, capturing the grandeur of a sprawling galaxy, complete with meticulously crafted locations, outposts, large settlements, and even a metropolitan city; all populated with NPCs going about their day. However, after a while I couldn’t help but notice a bit of repetition in the layout of some outposts and bases which, though noticeable, didn’t diminish the overall impact. It’s also worth noting that, in line with Bethesda’s trademark, I did come across occasional instances of object collision and clipping, though these were minor and infrequent occurrences. Far from the exaggerated levels often portrayed in internet memes.

In terms of Starfield’s aesthetic, the game makers chose a future that adheres to a “function over fashion” mindset, which departs from the sleek and polished look that’s common in most science fiction. This is most evident in the game’s ship designs, which resemble space truckers rather than futuristic space cruisers. This envelopes the player into a sense of some form of potential realism, immersing players into the gritty essence of space-faring. This aesthetic goes beyond just the visuals. It also influences gameplay, especially in terms of ship customization and management, emphasizing the importance of ship maintenance and upgrades essential in galactic exploration. 

Calling, Calling Home…

If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m obviously recommending Starfield. It’s certainly one heck of a sci-fi RPG. It may not be perfect, but the story, fluid combat mechanics and the space exploration is enough to overlook those small issues. It’s amazing I’m giving it such praise, since I almost walked away disappointed. I’m sure I’m not the first (nor will I be the last) in calling this game No Man’s Skyrim, but as a Bethesda RPG with thousands of procedurally generated planets to explore, the pun is obvious.

I’m glad to see that the delays and challenges in game development brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic seem to be in the past. It might have taken almost three years, but I believe Starfield is Xbox’s first great exclusive in justifying the purchase of an Xbox Series console. Hopefully going forward, Microsoft will once again become a top contender in the console market offering great must-own games.

To hear The GO cast talk more about Starfield, be sure to listen to the September 6, 2023 episode of The Gaming Outsider podcast around the 54:02 time stamp.

This review is based on an Xbox Game Pass copy of Starfield. It is also available to purchase on Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam.