In spite of the high-profile Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase providing updates and announcements regarding a litany of games, it was Starfield that inevitably stole the show. With the showcase giving a much-needed glimpse as to the finer details of the otherwise mysterious title, fans are finally getting a more comprehensive idea of what experience the game will bring.
While the showcase has undoubtedly increased the hype surrounding Starfield even more, there was something in particular that fans have noticed. The gameplay and core mechanics of the upcoming game have reminded people of other Bethesda RPGs such as Skyrim and Fallout. Of course, this is to be expected to an extent, but it has sparked a dialogue amongst fans as to what the identity of the new game should be.
The Basics of Starfield
Starfield is an upcoming action role-playing game centered around comprehensive space exploration, developed and published by veteran studio Bethesda. The title was originally announced in an official capacity during E3 2018, and has been subject to significant confusion regarding its development in recent years.
Thanks to the recent showcase, however, a significant amount of confusion surrounding Starfield has thankfully been eliminated with an official release window of 2023 being given. Gameplay was finally shown during the showcase, confirming that the game will feature both third-person and first-person perspectives, as well as an array of futuristic firearms. The character customization of Starfield was also shown, billed to be the most expansive system in Bethesda's history, with trait choices being available to determine "pro and con" characteristics for a player character.
The showcased gameplay additionally confirmed that spaceships within the game will be comprehensively customizable, with players also being able to pilot ships within Starfield to enter and exit planet surfaces. As part of the expansive exploration offered by the game, players will be able to explore over 1,000 unique planets within Starfield across over 100 solar systems, a testament to how vast the game is aiming to be.
The Similarities Between Starfield and Skyrim, Fallout
Starfield has inexorably been subject to large amounts of buzz due to being a Bethesda title, and the hype has only been exacerbated by the fact that Starfield is a brand-new IP within the Bethesda sphere. Despite the unique nature of the new title, fans can't help but notice a high level of similarity to prior Bethesda titles from other franchises.
The game stands on its own two feet in terms of the unheard-of scale and space-centric traversal, but many of the title's core features are overtly reminiscent of past Bethesda games. Starfield has been confirmed to have outpost building mechanics, very much in line with Fallout 4's settlement building, as just one example of noted similarities.
An integral similarity between Starfield and other Bethesda RPGs also exists in the presence of different factions and the branching quests that they will provide. While interactions between the player and these NPCs will take place in the same first-person manner that is now synonymous with Bethesda RPGs, it is clear that Starfield will be a big upgrade over past Bethesda titles in this regard, primarily via a complete overhaul of facial animation.
In terms of the skill trees and perks within Starfield, the upcoming title is confirmed to be employing a blend of the best mechanics from both The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises to create an experience curated for the new setting. While it is a clear inevitability that Starfield will have inherent links to other Bethesda titles, the title is still aiming to establish its own wholly unique identity, even if it is sensibly borrowing from prior games.
Starfield is scheduled to release in early 2023 on PC and Xbox Series X/S.