Bethesda has announced that <em>Starfield</em> will finally see some updates to space exploration, and I can’t wait to test them out. Released in 2023, the action RPG set in space takes on the mold used by Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls and Fallout series, but adds a sci-fi twist to it. The quests in Starfield you embark on are all futuristic, though varied in style.
There’s a lot to do in the game, as you aren’t as grounded as you normally are in other Bethesda franchises. Here, you can take to the skies in your customizable spaceship and explore different planets, adding a whole layer of extra variety to gameplay. Space travel in Starfield isn’t as great as it could be, but that could change soon.
Starfield Is Working On Space Gameplay Changes
Space Travel May Be Enhanced With A Future Update
According to producer Tim Lamb in a video posted on the official Bethesda Softworks channel on YouTube, the development team is currently working on changes to space travel. Lamb says that the idea is to “make the travels there more rewarding.” He does not, however, mention exactly what the team is planning for this core gameplay feature.
It’s expected that these space travel changes, specifically, will be free for all players, rather than locked behind the rumored Starborn DLC for Starfield. In addition to announcing changes to space exploration, Lamb also mentions that players can expect new game systems, as well as features that have been requested by the community over the past years. More details about what these changes are should come through official update announcements.
Space Exploration Needs To Feel Special In Starfield
There Isn’t Much To Do In Space
Since its release, space exploration has been an issue with the game. While you are able to thoroughly customize your vessel for interstellar flight and commandeer it in some battle instances, there isn’t really much else to do in outer space. Instead, space travel is mostly a means of getting from one planet to another, while sometimes finding space stations that you can explore upon disembarking.
However, using your ship in Starfield doesn’t go much beyond that. It’s tedious to manually explore space as there’s really not much to see or do; this, arguably, is how it truly is in real life. However, for a game, players must feel that there’s more to it. If Bethesda truly is working on making space exploration feel rewarding, then I expect to see a lot more outside of planets.
It’s unclear what that will look like, but it does feel like the company is listening to player feedback, as this has been one of the largest points of complaint for players since launch. Hopefully, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer before space travel is addressed in Starfield.
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence
- Engine
- proprietary engine
