Since its disastrous release in 2018, Fallout 76 has been described by many as the final nail in Bethesda’s coffin. But despite its reputation for bugs, overpromises and disappointments, Bethesda is back again – with Starfield.
Since its announcement three years ago, fans have responded with mixed reactions. Some disenfranchised critics fear a ‘Fallout-like’ debacle – just in space this time – while others say it holds great promise.
But whatever the case may be, we are likely to find out only after tomorrow. Slated to hold a joint showcase with Xbox, Bethesda will hopefully give us more information to go on – maybe even some gameplay footage or a release date.
Before that happens, here are our predictions for what Starfield holds in store for us.
The end of microtransactions?
If there is anything that forms the cornerstone of our gripe with Bethesda, it has to be microtransactions. Nothing annoys fans more than having to pay $2.50 to unlock a skin that has already been downloaded onto their computers.
That said, Bethesda’s Todd Howard has confirmed that Starfield “will be completely single-player, and have no microtransactions”. Hopefully, this means full access to the game and no online transactions – which drove Fallout 76 fans up the wall back in 2018.
But don’t get your hopes up just yet. Todd Howard has a history of overpromising – so only time will tell if Starfield actually delivers on them.
Still biting off more than he can chew?
Speaking of overpromise, Bethesda fans will never let Howard live down his famous line – “it just works”. Just ask this youtuber how that turned out.
Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGjTtMQwHOM&t=82s
Perhaps that’s why Bethesda has been so explicit in keeping their fans’ expectations in check this round. In a response to speculations about Starfield, veteran reporter Jason Schreier said “the planned release date [he’s] heard is way later than most people expect” and that “folks [should] keep their expectations in check”.
While this means a longer wait, it could pay off when the game finally launches. The problem with previous releases was that Bethesda rushed development – and only patched their games along the way. A later release date means they have more time to fix bugs before the game is released.
Listening to fans
When it comes to the Fallout series, another thing that annoyed fans was how the experience seems increasingly “dumbed down”. While this makes the series more accessible to mainstream players, fans argue such moves deviate from what makes the Bethesda experience unique.
As for Starfield, Howard has asserted the game “has [Bethesda’s] DNA in it”. While this is open to so many interpretations, we hope it means they retain what OG fans hold dear – a vibrant open-world experience with a rich, dynamic storyline.
Our Verdict
Bethesda’s track record hasn’t exactly been stellar. Having botched its previous releases, some fear Starfield is set to be another disappointment. But before we get ahead of ourselves, Bethesda seems to be learning from its mistakes. Whether or not that proves to be true, we will only know after Sunday.
