Review | Starfield | Finally Getting Around To It
TLDRThe reviewer discusses their experience with 'Starfield', a game developed by Bethesda. They praise the character customization options and the improved gunplay compared to previous Bethesda titles, noting that it adds a sense of power to combat. However, they express disappointment with the limited variety of hairstyles and the lack of a clear reward system in dungeons. The main quest is criticized for being a series of fetch quests without a compelling narrative, and the reviewer finds the exploration aspect less engaging than expected, often involving menu navigation rather than discovery. Despite these criticisms, the side content and city exploration are more enjoyable, offering a sense of variety and lived-in environments. The leveling system is straightforward, focusing on perks rather than detailed stats, which may appeal to some players but not others. Visually, the game is appreciated for its aesthetic, though the Creation Engine's limitations are noted. The game is given a 6 out of 10, deemed not bad but requiring effort to find its enjoyable moments, which contrasts with the more organic experience of Bethesda's 'Elder Scrolls' series.
Takeaways
- 🎮 The reviewer spent considerable time in the Character Creator, noting a limited selection of hairstyles but appreciating the customization options.
- 🤔 The reviewer found the game's combat to be enjoyable and similar to Fallout 4, with guns feeling more powerful.
- 🔫 A good variety of weapons is available, complementing different play styles, but the reviewer missed more 'over-the-top' options.
- 🚀 The tutorial was concise, and the game introduces space pirates early, quickly engaging the player in action.
- 🏺 The reviewer felt that the rewards at the end of dungeons were not as satisfying or obvious as in other games, such as Skyrim.
- 🌌 The main quest was criticized for being a series of fetch quests, lacking a grand narrative expected from a space-themed game.
- 🌟 Memorable moments were more often found in side content and exploring cities rather than the main quest.
- 📚 Leveling is similar to Fallout 4, with perks chosen rather than stats, which the reviewer found less satisfying.
- 🎨 The reviewer praised the game's visual design and aesthetics, enjoying the retro-futuristic vibe.
- 📉 The game's graphics, while good, showed the limitations of the Creation Engine, leading to a less than next-gen experience.
- 📈 The game improves on Fallout 4's gunplay and offers a more grounded approach to the future, which the reviewer appreciated.
- 🎲 The game received a 6 out of 10 rating, with the reviewer noting that it's not bad but requires effort to find the enjoyable moments.
Q & A
What is the title of the review being discussed?
-The title of the review is 'Review | Starfield | Finally Getting Around To It'.
Why did the reviewer not play Starfield at launch?
-The reviewer did not play Starfield at launch because there were many big games released around the same time that distracted them.
What is the reviewer's opinion on the Character Creator in Starfield?
-The reviewer spent a lot of time in the Character Creator and appreciated the customization options, although they felt there could be more hairstyles to choose from.
How does the reviewer describe the combat in Starfield compared to previous Bethesda games?
-The reviewer finds the combat in Starfield to be similar to Fallout 4 but with more oomph and firepower, which is a positive change since Bethesda games are not known for good gunplay.
What did the reviewer enjoy about the weapons in Starfield?
-The reviewer enjoyed the variety of weapons in Starfield, which complement different play styles, and particularly liked the old world guns.
Why did the reviewer feel that exploring dungeons in Starfield was not as rewarding as expected?
-The reviewer felt that the lack of obvious and significant rewards at the end of dungeon explorations made it less rewarding and often left them feeling like they had missed something.
What was the reviewer's main issue with the main quest of Starfield?
-The reviewer's main issue with the main quest was that it felt like a grind and was filled with fetch quests, which did not feel fulfilling or engaging.
How did the reviewer's opinion change after focusing on side content instead of the main quest?
-After focusing on side content, the reviewer found the game to be more fun, as the side quests and exploring cities provided more engaging stories and memorable moments.
What is the reviewer's stance on the leveling system in Starfield?
-The reviewer prefers a more traditional RPG leveling system with stats and numbers to manage, rather than the perk-based system used in Starfield, which they feel is a simplified approach.
How does the reviewer feel about the overall visual design and UI of Starfield?
-The reviewer loves the overall visual design and aesthetics of Starfield, which have a retro-futuristic vibe, but finds the UI to be clunky and difficult to navigate.
What score did the reviewer and their colleague give to Starfield, and why?
-The reviewer and their colleague gave Starfield a 6 out of 10. They felt it was not a bad game with many great moments, but these moments often required searching for rather than naturally occurring in the adventure.
What does the reviewer suggest for players to get the most enjoyment out of Starfield?
-The reviewer suggests that players should focus on side content and exploring cities to get the most enjoyment out of Starfield, as these aspects provide more engaging stories and memorable experiences.
Outlines
🎮 Starfield's Launch and Initial Impressions
The speaker discusses their decision to play Starfield after its launch, considering it a big game that they missed due to other distractions. They express being a fan of Bethesda games but highlight their focus on character creation and customization in Starfield. The speaker critiques the limited hairstyle options and the uncanny valley effect. They appreciate the tutorial's brevity and the early introduction to space pirates, noting that the combat feels more impactful than in previous Bethesda games. The speaker also mentions their preference for the variety of weapons and the fun they had during their first dungeon run, although they felt the rewards were not as satisfying as in other games.
🌌 Starfield's Main Quest and Side Content
The speaker describes their experience with the main quest of Starfield, which they found to be a series of fetch quests that did not meet their expectations for a grand space narrative. They compare their experience to playing Oblivion and No Man's Sky, noting the lack of memorable journeys and the repetitive nature of environments. The speaker also discusses the advice given by a friend to focus on side content, which improved their enjoyment of the game. They mention the appeal of populated planets and the cities within Starfield, contrasting this with the emptiness they felt in Fallout 76 at launch. The speaker expresses concerns about the leveling system and the simplification of RPG mechanics, but praises the gunplay and the visual design of the game, including the user interface and aesthetics.
📊 Starfield's Reception and Future Bethesda Games
The speaker reflects on the expectations placed on Starfield due to its development by a renowned studio and its backing by a major company. They acknowledge that the game is not bad but feels it falls short of the high standards set by Bethesda's previous titles. The speaker discusses the game's reception and the pattern they see in Bethesda's game design, suggesting that the studio may be relying too much on the modding community to enhance their games. They conclude by giving Starfield a score of 6 out of 10, noting that while there are great moments, they often feel forced or require searching. The speaker expresses apprehension about the upcoming Elder Scrolls VI but remains hopeful for more enjoyable Bethesda RPGs.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Starfield
💡Character Creator
💡Combat
💡Fetch Quests
💡Exploration
💡Main Quest
💡Side Content
💡Leveling
💡Visual Design
💡Bethesda Game Studios
💡Rating
Highlights
Starfield, a highly anticipated game by Bethesda, has been reviewed with mixed feelings.
The game was not played at launch due to the release of many big games around the same time.
Character customization is extensive but limited hairstyles available.
Todd Howard's hairstyle is included in the game as a customization option.
The tutorial is concise, and players encounter space pirates early in the game.
Combat in Starfield is similar to Fallout 4 but with more impactful gunplay.
The variety of weapons complements different play styles.
Old world guns are a highlight, offering a unique appeal.
The lack of obvious rewards in dungeons can be off-putting for exploration.
The main quest of the game is filled with fetch quests rather than a grand narrative.
The game's journey often involves menu navigation rather than direct exploration.
Starfield's populated planets stand out for their well-built and lived-in environments.
Side content and city exploration provide more enjoyment than the main quest.
The leveling system is similar to Fallout 4, focusing on perks over detailed stats.
Gunplay has been improved from previous Bethesda games, offering a more satisfying experience.
The game's visual design is appreciated, with a 70s futuristic Space Age vibe.
The game's graphics show the limitations of the Creation Engine used by Bethesda.
Starfield is not a bad game but does not meet the high expectations set by Bethesda's track record.
The game has been rated 6 out of 10, offering great moments but requiring effort to find them.
Concerns are expressed about the future of Bethesda's RPGs, following the pattern seen in Starfield.