For some gamers who have been followingStarfield’s development, seeing Bethesda Game Studios trying its hand at a title with hard sci-fi inspirations probably sounds like a dream come true. But while the decision to givethe story inStarfieldahard sci-fi theme is welcomed by some, it could prove to be a hard sell for other gamers. Even with advanced technology, space travel is likely to often be mundane or monotonous, and if Bethesda leans too heavily into this realism it could turn some players away.
While trailers have hinted that there may be forces at play in the universe other than just the human factions revealed so far, everything from the technology of the spaceships on display to the careful releases of story information makesStarfield’s hard sci-fi influencesimpossible to miss. To deliver a title that will please the dedicated and demanding fans of the scientifically-grounded subgenre and casual gamers alike, Bethesda will have to perform a careful tightrope act withStarfieldthat could hurt the game if it leans too far in either direction.
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Starfield’s Tech Will Have to Walk a Tightrope Between Functional and Fun
One challenge with creating a title appealing to genre fans as well as a broader audience is ensuring thatStarfield’s technology walks the line between being scientifically plausible and being fun to use. If the technology is too grounded in reality it could sap some of the fun out of the game’s sci-fi setting, potentially ruining the power fantasy of being an adventurer exploring the great cosmic unknown. Managing every aspect of a scientifically accurate spaceship would undoubtedly be appealing to some players, butStarfieldis probably better off leaning more toward the accessibility ofNo Man’s Skythan therealism ofKerbal Space Program 2when it comes to space travel.
Luckily, Bethesda already appears to be looking into ways to balance out function and fun withStarfield’s spaceships. Although hard sci-fi purists may prefer strict realism when it comes to exploring the cosmos, systems likespaceship fuel inStarfieldare being designed to ensure players are never forced out of action simply for forgetting to top off the tank before heading out on a mission. But even if Bethesda manages to create spaceships, robots, and other tech that lands well with both hard sci-fi fans and casual players, the developer may still have another hurdle ahead of it.
Delivering a Story Without Fantastical Elements Could Be a Challenge for Bethesda
One hard sci-fi trope that looks to be front and center in the game is the apparentlack of alien life inStarfieldbased on information revealed so far. Media is full of examples of compelling sci-fi with no extraterrestrial presence, from shows likeFireflyto Ridley Scott’s filmThe Martian, but shying away from these sorts of fantastical elements altogether could prove challenging for Bethesda. Even though itsThe Elder ScrollsandFalloutgames never made fictional creations like mutants and magical creatures the centerpiece of every mission, Bethesda often used them as a great launching point for interesting quests.
Even though it is strongly implied there are powerful, unknown forces waiting to be discovered in the game, trailers and gameplay footage make it look like much of the game will involve dealing with the various human factions. Navigating between groups like the United Colonies and the Free Star Collective could allow for someStar Trek-style political intrigue inStarfield, but if care isn’t taken to make these factions more than simple archetypes then their human-centric storylines could run the risk of feeling overly similar or repetitive.
Its early embrace of elements of hard sci-fi has already helpedStarfieldstand out in a medium filled with often similar sci-fi storylines. And if Bethesda can manage to strike a balance between grounded and gritty realism and enjoyable, accessible gameplay mechanics,Starfieldcould open the floodgates to a wave of sci-fi titles owing more of a debt to the Space Shuttle Endeavour than the USS Enterprise.
Starfieldis scheduled to release on August 05, 2025, on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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