Bethesda Game Studios is creating Starfield, a game with thousands of planets that will be relatively devoid of life.
While that may disappoint some players, it’s an exciting prospect for me. I want to explore alien worlds and experience the solitude they offer. I want to feel a mix of fear and fascination.
There may be a sense of being watched or paranoia, but in reality, these planets are empty, with only wind and wildlife for company. Bethesda’s previous Open-world games – specifically Fallout 3 and Skyrim – had elements of loneliness in their worlds, but Starfield is expected to take it to another level.
The best way to experience discovery in video games, in my opinion, is without constant interruptions from map markers and quest icons pointing me in the direction I’m meant to go. Oftentimes, those interruptions remove a sense of wonder and discovery. An empty planet allows me to stop and appreciate the atmosphere, allowing my imagination to run wild.
This is the perfect formula for Starfield. The game’s marketing has been minimal thus far, with very little information on what we can expect from its story and premise. The biggest reveal so far is that Starfield’s approach to its planets is similar to No Man’s Sky, with melancholic discovery at its core.
The initial trailer shows one human astronaut exploring an alien world, but there are no signs of life. Bethesda has said that Starfield will have larger cities and settlements on specific planets, but every other planet will be left for players to discover on their own.
The prospect of exploring numerous planets may sound exhausting to some, but for me, it’s the opportunity for imagination. Each planet will offer a limited amount of time to gather resources and uncover hidden stories. I want to be one of the first human beings to explore these celestial bodies alone. Being alone in space is lonely, but it feels like pushing boundaries and relishing in the lonesome atmosphere.
There’s a chance I will discover a planet with a long-lost crashed spaceship, or an abandoned colony with old signs of life. With the right setting and story direction, this could be one of my favorite games of the year.
There may be some players who are disappointed by the lack of content on most planets, but I think it’s an exciting prospect. If No Man’s Sky was all about melancholic discovery and Starfield takes it to another level, then I’m all for it.
There are moments that I miss from games like Skyrim and Fallout 3, including the loneliness in their worlds. However, I think Starfield has the potential to perfect the approach of procedural narrative instances and provide a unique gaming experience.
What are your thoughts on Starfield’s planets? Are you excited about the game’s approach to loneliness? Let me know in the comments below.
