Starfield: Review, Analysis And Impression

Starfield, the highly anticipated sci-fi RPG from Bethesda Game Studios, is set to release on September 5, 2023. Reviewers have recently had the opportunity to dive into the game, and early impressions and analysis are starting to surface. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the review by Dan Stapleton from IGN India and take a closer look at some early impressions from Tyler McVicker.

Review by Dan Stapleton (IGN India):

Dan Stapleton’s review of Starfield provides an in-depth analysis of the game based on his experience playing it. He starts by expressing his excitement for the game, given his love for Bethesda’s previous RPG, Fallout 4, and his affinity for sci-fi universes.

Stapleton acknowledges the vast and detailed lore of Starfield, a universe where humanity has colonized the galaxy but has not yet made contact with sentient aliens as of the 24th century. The game is filled with backstory, wars between factions, mysterious space creatures, pirates, and references to various sci-fi classics.

Character Creation:

Players are given the opportunity to create their characters by choosing a background story, skills, and traits. While this choice can be challenging on the first playthrough, it adds replayability to the game. Different backgrounds provide unique experiences and challenges.

Open-World Exploration:

Starfield offers an open world with hundreds of worlds to explore. Players are free to navigate the universe in their spaceship. The game encourages players to take on various missions, leading to extended questlines and adventures reminiscent of Skyrim’s scope. Even after 70 hours of gameplay, Stapleton mentions that there are major questlines he has yet to touch, showcasing the game’s vast content.

Main Quest and Choices:

Stapleton acknowledges that the main quest in Starfield doesn’t offer a high degree of flexibility in resolving situations. Players have choices in dialogue and actions, but the core objective remains the same: to solve the mystery of the artifacts alongside the Constellation secret society of explorers.

Side Quests and Morality:

The game shines in its side quests, allowing players to act out their characters morals. Players can choose to peacefully resolve conflicts or engage in morally questionable activities like smuggling or piracy. These decisions offer ethical dilemmas and shape the player’s character.

Companion Characters:

Stapleton praises the interesting companion characters in Starfield. Each companion has a unique background and quests, adding depth to the game’s storytelling. He highlights characters like Sarah and Sam but hints at surprises from other companions.

Visuals and Animation:

Bethesda has improved facial animations in Starfield compared to previous titles. While not on par with some other games, the character models are expressive and complement the excellent voice performances.

Issues and Criticisms:

Stapleton highlights several issues in Starfield. He notes that the early hours of the game can be rough, and the learning curve is steep. The game’s universe can feel small due to frequent loading screens between planets, hindering the sense of exploration. The absence of on-foot maps is another issue, making navigation challenging.

Inventory management is criticized for being cumbersome, and the game’s progression system is deemed stingy in the early stages. The worlds players explore are visually different but often barren and lifeless.

Repetitive elements in the main quest, such as investigating identical ancient structures, are mentioned as a drawback. Despite these issues, Stapleton acknowledges that the game gets better as players invest more time.

Combat and Ship-to-Ship Battles:

Combat in Starfield is deemed good enough, with a focus on gunplay. Stapleton mentions that enemies react uniquely when shot in specific body parts, adding variety to combat. Ship-to-ship battles are also enjoyable, with power management and the ability to board enemy ships being highlights.

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Customization and Starship Design:

The variety of spaceships and the ability to customize them are praised. Players can build their own spaceships, adding depth to the gameplay. Stapleton expresses a desire to explore this aspect more in future playthroughs.

Skill System:

The game’s skill system, which combines traditional RPG skill unlocks with skill progression through challenges, is commended. It adds a sense of progression and character development.

Lockpicking Minigame:

Stapleton highlights the lockpicking minigame as one of the best he’s seen in an RPG. It’s satisfying and engaging, encouraging players to invest in lockpicking skills.

Bugs and Performance:

While there are some bugs, particularly in the PC version, Stapleton notes that the game has been relatively stable for a big RPG. He didn’t encounter any game-breaking issues during his playthrough.

Stapleton concludes that Starfield is a game that takes time to get to the good parts. Despite its initial issues and learning curve, the game’s interstellar mystery story, character depth, and enjoyable combat make it a worthwhile experience. The vast amount of quality roleplaying quests and NPCs, combined with the allure of space exploration, make Starfield a game worth playing.

Early Impressions by Tyler McVicker:

Tyler McVicker, a popular YouTuber and gamer, has provided early impressions of Starfield. Notably, he mentioned that he encountered zero bugs in the first 15 hours of gameplay. This is a significant departure from Bethesda’s reputation for releasing buggy titles. McVicker also praised the game’s visuals, stating that Starfield looks incredible.

These early impressions are promising, suggesting that Bethesda has put extra effort into polishing Starfield before its release. While the full review embargo has yet to be lifted, these early insights bode well for the game’s quality.

Starfield is generating excitement among gamers and reviewers alike. With its expansive universe, intriguing quests, and improved visuals, it promises to be a memorable sci-fi RPG. While there are issues to be addressed, early impressions suggest that Starfield may redefine Bethesda’s reputation for bug-ridden releases. Players can look forward to exploring the cosmos and uncovering its mysteries when the game launches on September 5, 2023.