by Jack Grimme, Contributing Writer
Bethesda Game Studios, subsidiary of publishing titan Bethesda Softworks, are responsible for some of the most beloved titles the gaming industry has ever seen. Their flagship franchises, Fallout and Elder Scrolls, helped define and dominate their respective genres for decades. The one thing the developer does not necessarily exceed at is consistency. Starfield, the subject of this review, is their first release since 2020, and their first original intellectual property in over 20 years. I respect it when a developer takes their time between releases. Typically, it leads to refined products with richer worlds. Unfortunately, Bethesda has failed to live up to that reputation. Fans go into new Bethesda titles expecting buggy messes and half-baked mechanics. Many people went into Starfield anticipating a sprawling space adventure that would push the limits of their console and imagination. Others were just praying that the game would be playable without mods on launch day.
I had to download Starfield on my PC because I chose PlayStation over Xbox in this generation’s console war. My PC is due for a handful of upgrades, but it can still run most AAA titles without a hitch. Starfield was certainly pushing the limits. In game, there were only a handful of laggy scenes and dropped frames. Most of the heavy lifting is done by the frustratingly long and common loading screens. I also ran into a handful of gameplay glitches, like enemies not loading in, quest checkpoints not progressing, etc. I find it hard to hold these points against the game, because for all I know it is my PC causing the issues. However, knowing Bethesda’s history, there is a good chance the issue will apply to people reading this review as well.
A main strength that made the loading screens worth it is the insane levels of freedom and customization the title offers. I really felt like I can do and be whatever I want in this game. I loved the customization, the looting system appropriately rewards exploration, and the breadth of quests and adventures at your fingertip feels limitless. If you study the graphics too deeply, you may see some seams, but overall, this game is gorgeous. Taking a moment to gaze into the expansive cosmos in the heat of a mission genuinely took my breath away and immersed me in the game in a shockingly impactful way. Each world feels diverse and alive. The characters you meet are quirky and fresh. If you can see past the bugs and the black screens, you can really find a home in this universe.
Aside from the glitches and bugs, I only have a handful of specific complaints about the game. The main thing hearkens back to the discussion on freedom. This game may be a little too free. The main issue is the lack of explanation for certain mechanics. There are so many intricate systems to learn and implement. I felt like certain things were not explained nearly enough, and I found myself lost in the stars and a sea of google search tabs. I hate it when a game holds my hand and absolutely refuses to let go. It makes me feel like a child. However, I want to be able to find the answers to all my questions in the game itself. I felt like Starfield just had so many different systems, mechanics, and abilities that they forgot to add a teaching moment for each one.
Another minor complaint I had with this game relates to the animation of some of the non-player characters. Again, I think this generally is a pretty game graphics-wise, but I do think they cut some corners with some of the graphics and animations for NPCs. It’s not going to ruin your experience overall, but it feels like something that could have been amended if they left the game in the oven a bit long.
If you are asking yourself if you should by Starfield, there is something you need to answer first: Do you vibe with Bethesda Softworks titles? Like I mentioned earlier, they are behind some genuinely outstanding titles. However, a lot of the time they ask you to look past some of the mechanical issues to really engage with the world. If you struggle to do that, wait for a sale, and try it in the future. I also think if you are a fan of No Man Sky and want more of that, this could be a solid path. If that game felt aimless, boring, and buggy for you, I would give Starfield a pass. Most importantly, see if you can run some kind of system requirement test before you buy this one on PC. This game is graphically demanding, and I would hate to see someone’s rig set on fire because they flew a little too close to the sun… literally.
Rating: Liked It
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