Starfield: Bethesda's Upcoming Space Epic

The Making of Starfield: From Concept to Reality

In the realm of video game development, few titles have generated as much anticipation and curiosity as Starfield. This upcoming action RPG, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. Known for their profound open-world RPGs like the "Fallout" series and "The Elder Scrolls," Bethesda's foray into the realm of science fiction promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

Starfield is set in the 24th century, a time when humanity has taken to the cosmos. Players assume the role of explorers, embarking on a thrilling adventure across numerous planets and star systems. Central to the narrative are enigmatic objects known as "artifacts," which hold the key to unraveling the universe's deepest secrets.

Starfield

It's been a five-year journey since the game title and its initial trailer were unveiled at E3 2018. For gamers who have spent countless hours immersed in the worlds of Bethesda's RPGs, such as "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" and "Fallout 4," the anticipation has been palpable. Bethesda's unique approach to storytelling and world-building has kept fans hooked.

This time, we had the privilege of experiencing the retail version of Starfield before its official release. We played the PC (Steam) version, which was fully localized in Japanese, including the voiceovers. Our screenshots and insights are all based on the actual gameplay.

An Odyssey Across the Universe

Set in the 24th century, Starfield portrays a future where humanity's technological prowess has enabled interstellar travel. Although Earth has become uninhabitable, mankind has transformed this adversity into strength. They've established colonies throughout the galaxy, including the Bechtera star, where our story begins.

Bechtera Star

Players take on the role of a new miner assigned to this celestial mine. Yet, beyond this basic premise, the game's narrative offers the freedom for character creation and development. In true Bethesda fashion, players can mold their character's identity either at the outset or as they progress through the game.

Character Creation

Notably, unlike Bethesda's "Fallout 4," where the main character had a voice, Starfield returns to the silent protagonist style seen in "Skyrim" and "Fallout 3." The player's character communicates through choices and actions, emphasizing immersion and player agency.

Silent Protagonist

As a newcomer, players are initially tasked with mundane mining duties. However, their superiors soon assign them an unusual task: to excavate deep within the tunnels and retrieve mysterious metal fragments. What appears to be a straightforward mission takes a startling turn when players make contact with these artifacts, experiencing bizarre visions and losing consciousness.

Artifacts

Subsequent encounters with the enigmatic "Constellation" group reveal that these objects are called "artifacts" and are believed to harbor the universe's deepest mysteries. Due to certain circumstances, players are entrusted with one such artifact and a spacecraft known as the "Frontier." They become members of the Constellation, launching an adventure that revolves around dormant artifacts scattered across the galaxy.

Constellation

A Universe of Possibilities

Starfield offers a unique blend of role-playing and action elements, allowing players to seamlessly switch between first-person and third-person perspectives. The game is replete with exploration, combat, crafting, and questing mechanics. What sets it apart is the freedom it grants players to determine their own path.

Gameplay

While the main quest revolves around uncovering the secrets of the artifacts, players are not constrained by it. They can choose to delve into side quests, explore the planets, or even embark on careers such as interstellar transportation.

Freedom extends to decision-making, as choices made during quests significantly impact the journey's outcome. Thus, each player's experience is unique.

Decision-Making

Character creation plays a pivotal role in role-playing. Players have extensive customization options, from facial features to body shape. The background and characteristics selected influence gameplay and interactions, adding depth to the role-playing experience.

Character Customization

Leveling up in Starfield is straightforward. Experience points earned through exploration, combat, and quest completion lead to automatic level increases, accompanied by enhanced abilities. Skill improvement is based on usage, allowing players to tailor their character's development to their playstyle.

Leveling Up

Skills are categorized into "Physical," "Social," "Combat," "Science," and "Technology." Skills must be upgraded to unlock higher-level abilities. The system is intuitive and doesn't require detailed numerical management.

Skills

Navigating the Cosmic Expanse

The vastness of outer space serves as the game's playground. Players utilize spaceships for interstellar travel, while on-foot exploration occurs on the surfaces of various planets and inside space stations. Fast travel is available for both modes, ensuring convenience and efficiency.

Space Travel

However, interstellar travel requires fuel, which places limitations on the distance players can traverse. The efficiency of the "Grav Drive" on their spacecraft and the available fuel determine how far they can jump. Investing in spaceship upgrades is essential for longer journeys.

Fuel Management

Navigation in Starfield is a visual marvel. Players can seamlessly switch between various scales on the map, from single planets and their satellites to star systems with multiple planets and galaxies with clusters of star systems. The attention to detail in crafting the game's universe is truly impressive.