Bethesda fans worldwide anticipate the release of the company’s newest single-player action RPG: “Starfield.” Whether or not the game lives up to nearly half a decade of hype, lies in the hands of gamers everywhere, when it launches on Sept. 6. In the meantime, The Daily Texan received hands-on access to the game and prepared a comprehensive review.
Upon entering the world of “Starfield,” players experience stunning visuals and set pieces. Whether walking through the caves of a mysterious planet or scrounging for resources in isolated colonies, the game immerses players with expert attention to detail. While some planets only contain a few settlements and minerals, each planet caters to every playstyle imaginable. Players can rush in, eliminate enemies, steal and escape, or they can wander around aimlessly, grabbing minerals with their drill and contemplating the majestic nothingness of space. The only negative element of exploration shows itself in going from one side of the planet to the other. Rather than walking seamlessly around the circumference of the planet, players must move their ship and re-land on the surface. While a minor setback, the feature doesn’t hinder the player’s overall experience.
“Starfield’s” gun mechanics stand out as the smoothest of any Bethesda game, rivaling even the “Doom” franchise. Every weapon players pick up features a simple recoil pattern. For example, this allows players to feel comfortable while quickly picking up an enemy’s gun during battle in replacement of their own. Damage feels balanced as well. While pistols remain weaker than automatic rifles, players can still find moments where a pistol makes more sense. The game doesn’t incentivize rejecting weaker weaponry.
With the game being on console, some fans expressed concern online about the lower frames per second, but this only poses an issue when loading the game’s massive open world. Despite being locked at 30 fps, the game runs remarkably smoothly on the Xbox Series X and game-breaking glitches rarely occur.
While most games have mediocre flying mechanics at best, “Starfield’s” space piloting is one of the most remarkable experiences while playing the game. Players can control every element of their ship, and in the heat of battles, they can micro-manage systems and pull maneuvers like lowering their engine and increasing their shield to gain an advantage over their opponent. Additionally, if players prefer to flee a space battle, they can lower every system and max out their engine, allowing them to speed away from any danger. “Starfield’s” space travel lays the groundwork for future space RPGs to craft a better piloting experience.
One of Bethesda’s best-known features comes in its character customization. “Starfield’s” customization proves no exception. Players will find that much of their initial playthrough focuses on character customization. Additionally, players can buy unique outfits and earn skill points to not only customize their character visually but also increase their abilities — enhancing their gameplay experience. The skill tree in the game also stands out as one of the best both from a comprehension and an ease-of-use standpoint due to its minimalistic design and simplified perk categories.
Upon opening the game, players hear a beautiful orchestral soundtrack that immerses them into the world of “Starfield” immediately. The soundtrack continues throughout the gameplay, making every moment feel like a movie, especially when players discover new planets.
Bethesda’s “Starfield” proves to be worth the hype. While slow to start, the more time players spend exploring every inch of space, the easier it feels to appreciate its artistry and design. With hours of content and worlds to explore, players will find themselves sucked into galaxies beyond our own.
9 undiscovered galaxies out of 10
