Quick Take - Starfield Impressions

Into the Starfield

I think we can all agree that Starfield is one of the most important games of the year for the industry. It’s a game being set up as the beginning of Xbox’s new era that will produce masterpiece after masterpiece, all set to push forward Game Pass. This was the game I told everyone was my most hyped game of the year when the ball dropped at midnight. So will it deliver for me? I can’t answer that yet due to the scope and size of Starfield, but what I can do is give you my initial impressions and later down the road a Review in Progress. Once I roll credits, most likely early next year, I will give you my final verdict on how much I would recommend this game.

I will have to take breaks with this one, as titles such as Lies of P, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Sea of Stars will also take up my time. Plus there’s titles I plan to watch Let’s Play videos of when I can, specifically Spider-Man 2. But, I’ve had over 15 hours with the game. I’ve done some side and main campaign missions, so I’m picking up some of the vibe and views on how I feel about it.

So the first thing that jumped out at me, is just how much the game feels and sounds like Fallout. If I was given this game with no name or context, I would tell you Bethesda took a risk and made Fallout 5 in space. Even the sountrack and sound effects sound like Fallout. Now let me make this clear, I LOVE Fallout. The Fallout games are among my personal favorites and the main reason I was so excited for this game. But there is a part of me that was expecting something more… new. Every session I’ve had playing this, I always comment that it feels like I’m playing Fallout, and I think that it could affect the identity of what’s supposed to be the third franchise I like the similarity due to my history with the Fallout games, but I do wish it wasn’t so similar.

When it comes to cons, its pretty much what you’ve probably already read in reviews. The inventory system and user interface for said system is not good, in fact its the most frustrating part of the game. The limits to how much you can carry is much worse and less tolerable than past Bethesda titles, to the point that it feels like a parody. The facial animations are really bad and if its not a major set peice in the game, the graphics can be dissapointing. Despite being the most polished Bethesda game at launch, the old “Bugthesda” nickname still shows. I actually am not feeling the traversal or space combat. Its tolerable, but for whatever reason I feel more annoyed with the space combat then any type of fun factor. Lastly, I was not a fan of how rushed the start of the game is, and I felt that the “vault opening” moment Bethesda is famous for wasn’t there.

Then there’s the good. When it wants to, the game shines and looks like a next-gen title. The gun play is the best I’ve experienced from the studio and is the most fun part of the game. Even though I don’t like the traversal of space, the feeling of exploriation is still there when landing in new planets. So far, I have had some really solid and interesting encounters in the side missions and I can feel my want to keep playing increasing. While it does feel VERY MUCH like Fallout, its the best parts of Fallout. The main campaign is intriguing me more than I expected considering many reviews claimed it was mediocre. A small one, but like Fallout there’s cool branded foods and more, but completely new and different. Lastly, I do get the feeling that you can truly role play and be what you want with the amount of options of groups, decision, and personalities you can be or be a part of. I went in with the plan to be a space version of Indiana Jones, and I feel like that’s exactly what I’m playing as.

Overall, I do think if someone asked me I would recommend Starfield. I can already see this game does have rough eges and I’m really surprised how close to Fallout it is, rather than being its own thing. But, I also see potential and I’m starting to feel that sense of adventure, even with the annoying inventory and my lack of care for the space combat. The last mission I did had me hooked and it made me realize the game is opening up and truly turning into something I want to play as much as I can. I have high hopes that my experience will only get better and that I’ll be more positive come the Review in Progress next month. Until then, I’ll go into the Starfield to explore and find adventure.