Starfield review (Xbox Series X)

In a year brimming with highly anticipated titles, Bethesda Game Studios introduces Starfield, their first original IP in well over two decades. This alone commands attention, setting the stage for what should be a monumental release. After spending over 40 hours navigating the cosmos, we now have a clearer understanding of whether Starfield lives up to the lofty expectations attached to it – we played it on an Xbox Series X console.

Starfield thrusts players into an action-packed RPG experience, set in a future where humanity has expanded its reach across the galaxy. Within the Settled Systems, an expansive web of possibilities unfurls, allowing players to forge their own narrative amidst a complex and perilous reality. While a main storyline provides a definitive path, part of the allure of Starfield lies in the countless opportunities for deviation and immersion in myriad adventures.

The character creation system that Starfield offers stands as a testament to Bethesda’s attention to detail. Players shape their protagonists’ backgrounds and traits, not only influencing abilities but also how the world reacts to them. Each choice, whether subtle or monumental, ripples through the narrative, and future playthroughs should reveal how well Bethesda’ has crafted its cause-and-effect systems.

Divergence from the main quest offers a breadth of options in Starfield. One can choose to aid Constellation, a group of scholars and explorers, in their pursuit of unraveling the universe’s great mysteries. Alternatively, one might assume the mantle of a Freestar Ranger, defending farmers from marauding bandits. The beauty of Starfield lies in the freedom to tackle challenges and embrace roles as you see fit. It’s an expansive canvas of a game, and admittedly daunting, but it is within these many diversions that some of the game’s most memorable moments await, sometimes born from the serendipity of overhearing a seemingly insignificant tidbit of information.

However, there are areas in which the promise of limitless space exploration falls a little short. The galaxy is fragmented into discrete zones, lacking seamless connectivity. Fast travel thus quickly becomes the norm, which is a bit of a contrast to the potential for open-ended exploration. In a game that characterizes itself by the player’s ability to explore the boundless expanse of space, it’s a bit of a missed opportunity – though the limits of today’s hardware no doubt play into that.

Managing your ship and fleet is excellent though. Players can amass a diverse fleet of ships, each vessel possessing distinctive traits, capabilities, and customizable features. This breadth of choice amplifies the sense of autonomy, permitting players to carve their unique path through the cosmos and embracing different tactics along the way.

Combat, both terrestrial and interstellar, is more than competent, with nuanced decision-making at its core. Whether confronting adversaries head-on, employing stealth, or manipulating enemy defenses, the choices mirror the richness of the game’s branching narratives. Too often we’ve seen combat be an afterthought in games with an ambitious scope, so it’s good to see that Starfield doesn’t disappoint in this regard.

The inventory and crafting systems offer a gratifying level of depth, though the management of stamina via an oxygen gauge introduces a layer of complexity. Quality of life features could benefit from refinement, with minor inconveniences like inventory surplus awareness and navigational aids in cities warranting attention – all of which leaves room for improvement through post-launch updates.

Starfield is gorgeous to look at, and the musical score, while perhaps not revolutionary, adeptly sets the tone for various environments and moments, heightening the atmospheric experience. All of this makes Starfield an audacious endeavor, weaving a multifaceted narrative that beckons players down diverse paths. And even though it falls slightly short of its potential in space exploration, it’s a brilliant new route to explore for Bethesda.

Score: 8.5/10