Why I don’t think Starfield is a misunderstood gem – Reader’s Feature

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Starfield screenshot — Starfield – is its reputation deserved? (Bethesda)

A reader rejects the idea that Starfield is not a disappointment and argues that it’s Bethesda’s weakest game and no fun to explore.

I read the recent Reader’s Feature regarding Starfield, and how much the reader loved the game, and I felt compelled to offer an alternative viewpoint.

I’ve enjoyed every single-player Bethesda role-playing game since Daggerfall, having somehow missed the first instalment of The Elder Scrolls. I’ve trekked through Ashlands and Wastelands; fought (and friended) ancient, forgotten vampire families and android-loving, teleporting scientists; faced dragons and deathclaws, giants and super mutants.

I’ve killed an undead dragon in Blackreach and slaughtered the raiders of Nuka-World. I’ve built settlements and bathed a city in cleansing nuclear fire. In short: I’ve sunk untold hours into the masterpieces crafted by my favourite game designers and I’ve loved every single minute of Bethesda’s ‘live another life, in another world’ approach to world building.

I bought Starfield in early release last year, after eagerly anticipating it for many years. After a few short days I found myself bitterly disappointed. I denied it at first. I forced myself to sludge through the tedium because I just *knew* that it would get better. I was wrong.

Bethesda’s strength has never been cinematic storytelling or smooth, precise first person shooter gunplay, but rather exploration of a living world. It is that world which is supposed to be the shinning gem in my favourite games.

I do not expect to be left in tears by masterful character development (as in Read Dead Redemption 2) nor blown away by slick, instinctive gunplay, but rather to be able to lose myself in a world worthy of hundreds of hours of exploration: I want to be a *part* of this alien world.

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This should be Starfield’s greatest strength, given the supposed scale of the game. Unfortunately, it falls completely flat. For the first time, I’m forced to agree with the ‘wide as an ocean, deep as a puddle’ criticism often levied against Bethesda.

Emerge from the sewer in Skyrim, disembark the ship in Morrowind, flee a vault into the Capital Wasteland or stagger out of the doctor’s house, into the Mojave (OK that wasn’t technically Bethesda, but what a game!) and head in any random direction. Know what you’ll find? Adventure. An endless, open world *filled* with adventure.

There is every reason to delve into that sewer in Boston Common or that cave near Winterhold because you just know that something *will* be there. The world draws you in, a reason exists for the exploration.

Land on any planet in Starfield and head in a random direction. Know what awaits you? Nothing. There are no points of interest. No real content. Nothing of interest to do. No story to pursue. Just endlessly recycled enemy encampments with vague, generic plots. ‘Oh wow, another group of pirates in a science facility that’s coincidentally identical to the 36 other that I’ve ‘explored’ this week. Yawn.’

Power up your grav drive and jump to a random system. Know what’s there? A few asteroids. Maybe two or three lurking ships. Forgettable wildlife. A chance to ‘mine’ for rocks. Sounds enthralling, huh?

That isn’t to say that the game is completely unenjoyable. There are moments of brilliance. Some of the quest lines are great. I’ve enjoyed giving the finger to SysDef, and even the main story is interesting the first time.

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Slowly uncovering the truth about the artefacts and your powers may not match the experience of fulfilling the Nerevarine prophecy, but it’s still fun. Once. Finish those few experiences though and you’ll find that little else remains in this bland and empty universe.

I’ve been told by Starfield apologists that this is ‘realistic’, as space is supposed to be empty (as if a game with magic powers needs realism) and perhaps they’re right. Turns out realistic space exploration is boring. If you like Starfield, fine. I’ve no interest in changing your mind. If you’re on the fence, maybe skip this paint drying simulator. Surely there are better ways to spend your money. Like buying paint and actually watching it dry.

As for me, I’m still eagerly anticipating a *real* Bethesda game. Perhaps The Elder Scrolls 6 will scratch that itch. I definitely won’t buy it early though; I’ve learned to let others risk their money first.

By reader Neil Kennedy