Starfield Review

Bethesda’s first new IP in over 25 years, Starfield, promised to deliver the ultimate spacefaring adventure. Touted as “Skyrim in space,” it aims to combine the studio’s signature open-world storytelling with a galaxy-spanning sandbox of exploration, choice, and consequence. After spending dozens of hours traveling across star systems on Xbox Series X, one thing is clear: while Starfield is ambitious and often breathtaking, it occasionally struggles to keep its rockets firing at full thrust.

Story and Setting

Starfield’s narrative puts you in the boots of a new recruit for Constellation, a group of explorers searching for mysterious artifacts that could unlock the secrets of the universe. The main story is surprisingly engaging, packed with strong characters like Sarah Morgan and Barrett, as well as factions ranging from space pirates to corporate megacorps.

While the central mystery keeps you invested, the real narrative strength comes from the side quests. Bethesda’s trademark world-building shines through in smaller stories—whether you’re investigating a corporate conspiracy, brokering peace between warring factions, or simply helping a lone miner stuck on a remote moon.

However, the pacing can be uneven. The main plot has its standout moments, but it sometimes feels overshadowed by the depth and quality of its optional content.

Gameplay

Starfield is part space RPG, part shooter, and part life simulator:

  • Exploration: With over 1,000 planets, exploration is both impressive and, at times, overwhelming. While some worlds are full of activity, others feel barren and procedurally generated. The sheer scope can dilute the sense of discovery, especially when landing on lifeless planets that offer little more than scanning rocks.
  • Combat: Gunplay is tight and responsive, an improvement over previous Bethesda titles. The addition of jetpacks adds verticality and makes firefights more dynamic. Enemy AI, however, can be inconsistent, occasionally standing around in open fire.
  • Space Travel: Flying and customizing ships is a highlight. From dogfighting in space to upgrading engines and weapons, ship combat brings a welcome change of pace.
  • Role-Playing: Character creation is robust, offering meaningful perks and skills. Dialogues include persuasion mechanics reminiscent of Bethesda’s older games, allowing for multiple ways to solve problems.

While the game offers freedom, its fast travel-heavy structure sometimes undermines the feeling of seamless exploration. You’re often jumping through menus instead of manually flying to planets, which can break immersion.

Graphics and Performance

On Xbox Series X, Starfield runs at 30 FPS, which may disappoint players used to 60 FPS standards. Despite this, the game is visually stunning. Detailed ship interiors, cityscapes like New Atlantis, and impressive lighting effects create a world that feels alive.

However, the game isn’t without its share of technical hiccups. Minor bugs, texture pop-ins, and the occasional awkward NPC animations remain reminders that this is still a Bethesda title.

Sound and Music

Starfield’s orchestral soundtrack is nothing short of stellar, evoking the wonder of space exploration. The sound design complements it well—ship engines roar, laser weapons crackle, and planetary storms feel oppressive. Voice acting ranges from solid to excellent, though some NPCs deliver lines in a flat, almost robotic tone.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Expansive universe filled with rich lore and side quests.
  • Strong RPG systems with flexible role-playing options.
  • Engaging ship combat and customization.
  • Gorgeous visuals and atmospheric soundtrack.

Cons:

  • 30 FPS limit on Xbox Series X|S.
  • Over-reliance on fast travel.
  • Some planets feel repetitive or empty.
  • Occasional bugs and awkward AI behavior.

Verdict

Starfield is both a triumph and a test of patience. It’s an enormous, ambitious space RPG that delivers countless memorable moments but doesn’t always hit the high notes it aims for. If you’re willing to accept some rough edges and slow-burn pacing, Starfield offers an unforgettable adventure that will keep you exploring the stars for hundreds of hours.

⭐ Score: 8/10 – A flawed but mesmerizing odyssey through the cosmos.