Starfield's immense scale: Exciting or overwhelming?
Could Starfield’s vast universe ever truly work for players? On paper, the sheer scale of Bethesda’s space sandbox is everything they dream of. With a thousand planets to explore and unique journeys for each player, Starfield promises an expansive world full of depth to match its breadth. However, the marketing of Starfield places so much emphasis on its size that it raises concerns about whether players will ever fully experience it.
These concerns are shared by many, as evidenced by fellow writers expressing excitement mixed with apprehension about the game's potentially overwhelming scope. Even on Twitter, there is a sense of nervousness among users who contemplate the enormity of the project. To address these concerns, I propose a solution: allow players to stay in one place. By doing so, they can fully immerse themselves in the world of Starfield instead of constantly racing across its vast expanse.
I understand the appeal of Starfield's scale. Having witnessed the awe-inspiring showcase and the desire to explore more, it is natural to be captivated. However, when watching gameplay footage at home, I find myself oscillating between being drawn in and feeling bored. I want Starfield to be the game for me, but I also want to express my concerns. Perhaps by doing so, Bethesda can take these feelings into account before the game's launch later this year.
My emotions towards Starfield range from intrigue about the world it aims to create to moments of boredom during extended periods of silence. As a writer who values transparency, it is essential for me to share these feelings. Despite my reservations about it potentially becoming just another walking simulator, I am still intrigued enough to give it a chance. However, I worry that the slow-paced nature showcased thus far might not always be indicative of the overall experience.
Maybe Starfield's branching side quests will offer self-contained narratives on each planet. Perhaps the upcoming gameplay demos centered around quests on the planet Loruna will highlight this aspect rather than emphasizing extensive travel between planets. It could be that the game starts with a lot of walking from place to place, similar to Fallout 4, but once the story is established and players forge their own path, epic missions across the cosmos become available. I yearn for Starfield to be a game that offers much more than the basics shown in the initial two hours of gameplay from the demo and hands-on previews.
I appreciate the roleplay elements where choices have consequences and their impact matters. I am excited to see how Starfield incorporates other genres to elevate these unique moments beyond mere sightseeing. These are the potential highlights, the absorbing moments that can match the scale of Starfield's enormity and make it a game worth analyzing in-depth daily. If these features can effectively differentiate Starfield from other games, then they may also provide an opportunity for focused immersion, allowing players to settle in and absorb the sights of a planet.
I won't deceive anyone—I want to love everything about Starfield. I yearn to be swept away by its hopeful, vibrant tone, and I trust Bethesda to deliver on Starfield's vast RPG possibilities. However, above all, I hope the game allows players to pause and savor the moments on a planet, matching its scale.
I hope to be captivated by Starfield's colossal world, but if the game fails to provide opportunities for reflection and appreciation, it will miss a crucial chance to fully engage players. The blank canvas of a planet that Starfield offers is undeniably appealing, but without depth to match its breadth, there is a risk of falling short.
The Starfield launch date is set for sometime in 2022. In the meantime, players can explore other upcoming PC games that have already been confirmed.
