Starfield will be the biggest game that Bethesda has ever made. The upcoming space adventure RPG will offer players an expansive universe with over 1,000 worlds that players can explore and even colonize.
During the recently concluded Starfield Direct, Todd Howard and the Starfield team talked about the endless adventures that players can have in the universe. It will not just be massive but it will also be teeming with life.
"This time it's not just one world, it's over 1,000 worlds," Howard said. "We realistically simulate the galaxy around you."
The development team explained how each planet was made during the deep dive. The terrain, atmosphere, and resources of each planet are procedurally generated but will feature several handcrafted locations. These locations can be anything from abandoned outposts, mining facilities filled with loot, enemy bases, or even large cities like New Atlantis.
Gravity will be different on each planet which will affect the way players engage in combat. There will also be areas with zero gravity which can throw off players especially when carrying projectile-based weapons as these will push you in the opposite direction.
Players can freely explore planets by landing on any location or charting a course toward known landmarks. Unfortunately, ships can only land on planets and low-altitude flights are not possible in Starfield.
There will also be a variety of planets to explore. Some worlds are completely colonized where gamers can walk through vast cities and interact with NPCs. Other planets are lifeless but rich in resources that players can exploit.
Bethesda also talked about the building system where explorers can create outposts or bases. There is an extensive amount of items that players craft to personalize their bases to feel more like homes. The devs showed off some of the customizations that players can make both outside and inside an outpost.
Players can also explore the vastness of space in Starfield. When leaving a planet and heading into space, adventurers have to navigate asteroid fields and pirate-infested areas. Players can also explore areas to discover derelict ships, space stations, and other interesting points of interest.
The mix of procedurally generated worlds and handcrafted locations sets Starfield apart from other space exploration titles like No Man’s Sky. While it doesn't have as many planets as the Hello Games’ title, Bethesda has made sure that each world has unique points of interest that players can discover and explore.
Unfortunately, while this is ultimately good news, fans have mixed reactions to the FPS lock Bethesda wants to implement for Starfield on consoles. But, hey, at least the Starfield-themed Xbox accessories are awesome, right? Paired with the right Starfield edition, you'll be geared up for your next space-faring adventure on September 6.
