It is a RPG so I dont expect it to be a space sim.
Game Discussions Bethesda Softworks Starfield Space RPG
- Thread starter Lngjohnsilver1
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I have an issue with that, as does one of my ex-Elite friends; however, as I said to him: It's not what's not in Starfield, it's what is in it that interests me.
My only two 'issues' are that (no space-to-landing on planet) and no co-op.
However when I consider what is in it - a story, side quests, skill trees, ship interiors, modular ships, base building, mod support - it has my vote!
Hopefully the two missing elements could be added via modding? Or perhaps they'll add them into the game later on?
To be honest this game has everything in (except the two above issues) that I always wanted in Elite. If it lives up to basic expectations I can see myself rarely picking ED up again. On that note I am going away to engage in some reverie on what the modders will be able to add into it...
Hopefully the June 11th reveals will answer a lot of questions.
You should probably compare Starfield more to Skyrim and Fallout than to Elite. Maybe a bit to Mass Effect, too, but Bioware is in their own league when it comes to the quality of their NPC and gameworld (Starfield most certainly won't have an even remotely comparable NPC/companion quality). In the end, those games have always been singleplayer games. Starfield not a Space Sim, it's an SciFi RPG in which you happen to fly a ship.
The Outer Worlds - Wikipedia
How is this an ongoing issue when you KNOW you CAN'T fly directly down to the planetary surface from space?? Based on what we've seen and know so far, the space/planetary side environments are completely independent world environments. Their atmospheric transition is NOT seamless, because their interface is non existent. You would've understood why this fundamental design segregation needs to exist. (from playing any non vanilla/heavily modded TES and/or Fallout franchise game in the past). Especially if you've ever had to suffer near brain aneurysms from using God Howard's Frankenstein monster game engine that is Creation Kit. Just so you can use it to
What SF WILL end up being, is literally TWO games:
1. An immersive open world planetary side RPG. This is likely going to be Bethesda's first and foremost focus in SF over any space sim mechanics. Because RPing has been Bethesda's franchise DNA and core competency. Ever since it's creation in the days of founding fathers Julian Le Fay (TES) and Black Isle/Obsidian studios (Fallout)..
2. A seamless, global space side universe environment consisting of 1000 planetary "Skyrim-esque cells". Which can only be accessed by loading screen. Just as shown in the reveal where planetary landings/takeoffs from space environment are scripted cutscenes. And IMO, this space to planet side process is going to be similar to entering a Skyrim/Fallout town/city/individual building interior cell from the exterior global world map. So SF's space side environment is likely NOT going to be a true interplanetary flight sim experience like with ED & NMS. Particularly when considering Bethesda's track record how PC/NPCs traverse past game world open world environments. Fast travel must be an absolute necessity for inter stellar/interplanetary space travel. Especially if time saving features like ED's FSD/SC don't exist. That's due to both the default scale of the game, and the jump gate mechanic Bethesda has revealed to date. So despite SF having a functional flight model, the Newtonian realism of its flight mechanics is still TBD. But I'm NOT holding any high expectations for an ED or NMS style of space travel.
The above monologue is based on a subject matter expert opinion from decades of PC gaming experience. Ever since Daggerfall and FO3, where I gained expertise playing (and frequently QA testing) my 365+ heavily modded TES/Fallout mod decks..
Based on the wide range of fundamental game mechanics (character creation, base building, ship building) and associated mission/sandbox gameplay loops (exploration, merc/piracy combat, trade/salvage etc.) SF will attract many new non TES/Fallout fan bois. Fan bois from diverse franchises ranging from space themed (NMS/SE/SC/EGS/X series/SWKOTR etc.) to non space sims (FS 22, MS Flight Sim, and heck, even The Sims), to a smosgaboard of sim and/or non space genres that are RPG based (RPGs like Elden Ring, Mass Effect, FF, Witcher, CP2077 etc.)
Those new fan bois will bring completely unrealistic expectations. Especially if their gaming experience is limited from playing a single franchise. Based on trends I've seen around the web, it seems a good amount of the future SF fan base will consist of players who exclusively play space themed sims. Space sims with flight models ranging from the arcadey but globally popular NMS, to less popular but realistic Newtonian based EDO, to niche, arcadey but ultra realistic SC.
Regardless of which side of the spectrum you fall into, it's pretty damn clear SF is NOT going to be a space sim. Repeat. SF is likely NOT going to be a space flight sim. Regardless whether SF's final space flight mechanic ends up being an arcadey NMS clone, or realistic Newtonian model like ED.
This disclaimer comes from the horse's mouth of God Howard himself. Right after SF's reveal last year, which left ppl near ODing themselves from hyper expectations over the 100 system, 1000 planets. God Howard was forced to admit the seamless transition of a space/planetary interface was non existent. And that planet side atmospheric flight also did not exist. I'd love if this design scenario has since changed of the last year. But personally remaining cautiously optimistic based on God Howard's track record since Morrowind/FO3,
TL DR
Too many ppl keep judging SF through the lens of existing popular space sims. From the popular NMS model, to less popular/high learning curve realism of the EDO Newtonian flight sim, to the niche, unrealistic/arcadey but ultra realistic looking SC model. If space sim fan bois harbor these sort of unrealistic expectations, they're seriously gaslighting themselves for some serious disappointment. Which spells bad news for non space genre players. Because this feeds misinformation to non space genre players. Who're attracted to SF (for features like base/spaceship building, PC creation, RPG character customization). But who've NEVER played a space based sim.
Please stop comparing apples to oranges in personal expectations for SF. It toxically fuels misinformation and unrealistic fan boi speculation. Which in turn, have been seriously gaslighting expectations for this unreleased franchise to date. Only those parties who want another catastrophic fanbase PR fallout (the magnitude of NMS and CP2077) will keep pushing these sort of expectations.
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Same issue as with CP2077 that people mistakenly compared with GTA while it should be compared with Deus Ex series. This will stick to Starfield too and get negative reviews from the crowd that was hyping themselves for another space sim.
Here I am about to complete the 2nd DLC for The Outer Worlds, Starfield will make a nice filler before Phantom Liberty and The Outer Worlds 2
First part agree.
Second part ditto.
Daggerfall was quite interesting due to the near-infinite world, excepting falling through the floor once you finally made it to the dungeons.
After fallout 4 i unfortunately have to say i don't think bethesda will go back to creating true RPGs like morrowind. (ie possible to fail quests or have true freedom)
Ohwell, time will tell. ^^
Perhaps I worded things incorrectly, I didn't mean to compare Starfield to Elite: When I say the game has everything I ever wanted in Elite, I was trying to say that in fact they're going to be completely different experiences. An experience I am looking forward to. Not looking for a space sim - have done that for 10 years and am now looking for some adventure in the stars... Yaaaarrrrr!
Skyrim actually looks awesome - I might get round to installing it to give it a try; my teenage years were full of RPGing and it looks pretty cool - I'd say right up my street.
Looks like I might miss the release of Starfield due to work commitments. That's not such a bad thing - when I finally get round to playing it (probably Christmas), hopefully the dust will have settled and the modders will already have gone nuts with it. Here's hoping.
Flight model will be a big thing for me … sure, if we can’t fly into an atmosphere and land ourselves that’s one thing … but when in space, flying about doing stuff / shooting stuff … if the controls and handling are like NMS … I just won’t be interested in that part of the game. Which would be disappointing.
Adventures in space are not adventures on different planets.
It is an opportunity to find an abandoned ship or station, to climb out of your ship into space in a spacesuit, to fly up to another's ship, to cut the hatch, to crawl through another's ship in the weightlessness with a flashlight and to read its logbook...
Or just jump on asteroids in a spacesuit
It is an opportunity to find an abandoned ship or station, to climb out of your ship into space in a spacesuit, to fly up to another's ship, to cut the hatch, to crawl through another's ship in the weightlessness with a flashlight and to read its logbook...
Or just jump on asteroids in a spacesuit
Fallout 3 was very special for me. Space future theme version of Fallout 3 type of game sounds good to me.
Fallout 3 - Mothership Zeta Crew
I don't know if Bethesda can ever top the Brotherhood of Steel DLC. Man that was awesome.
Be careful with Skyrim. Once you delve into that rabbit hole called "mods", there's no coming back. It's like a super massive black hole that sucks time, social life and sleep schedule like there puny little asteroids
Since I like survival themed games, the mods "Frostfall", "Wet&Cold" and "Realistic Needs and Diseases" were always installed. But that was several years ago, no idea if those mods still exist
I have a hard time believing there is anything "space simish" in Starfield.
A lot of people have been going "this will be the next big thing in space games," just about everywhere, claiming it will end SC and ED in one hit. First it's single player, second it's not a space game, apparantly it's going to be a planet game with travel, but as I said long ago, I will always reserve final judgement until release. It's certainly not going to be any sort of "sim" but if it fulfils players visions of a Skyrim in space it will have a receptive audience from the lovers of Skyrim at least.
Imo, those are not very informed people. Bethesda did always do Open world RPGs and that is the bread and butter. Any simish feature would only be a sidekick in their games.