Topic: Starfield

The lack of a map or mini-map was confusing at first, I admit, specially after playing Ubisoft games recently (Far Cry 6) and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. But, if my memory serves me right, the scanner is very helpful in this regard, as it shows you little icons to find the mayor quests and locations.

I am really liking Starfield. I am not too deep into the Main Quest yet, but at least the premise and the beginning is intriguing. As many have said, it is a Bethesda RPG at its core. I have never been a diehard of Bethesda, even if I have played and liked many of their games (Fallout 3, New Vegas, Skyrim, Oblivion), but the sci-fi setting and overall polish of Starfield (yes, the NPCs may look "ugly" and the animation style is the same since Oblivion, at least - but, overall, the Creation Engine looks better) has hooked my attention so far. So much, in fact, that I may be buying the game when it hits a sale, even if I am subscribed to GP.

Oh, and two more things: I love the sound design and the music!

Did anyone else join the vanguard right away? On my way to one of my first mission I decided to join. Did my training and got sent on my first vanguard job which was going to a small research facility to assist some locals or something. Well, stuff went sideways and I was tasked with taking down a terraform. Didn't realize the game would have some light jump scares lol. Terraforms are definitely terrifying haha. It was a level 10 and I finally managed to beat it at a level 4. Took me like 7 or so tries though. Not an ideal job for a previous life chef if I do say so lol. Where the heck is all the ammo btw?

Love that the piloting simulation allows you to safely grind the piloting skills (seems obvious but not all games let you train and have it carry into your skills). I figure I'll play a Vanguard/Ranger/Bounty Hunter/Mantis. Evil stands no chance in my universe.

Do the Terrormorphs eat people? I find it odd they are basically following humanity everywhere.

I just started tonight and only had the chance to play a couple of hours but it's made a pretty strong first impression with me! The shooting feels far tighter than fallout 4 and with the removal of the voiced protagonist, I like the dialogue choices more already. I went for a diplomat background with a dream house, parents and an adoring fan (who I have yet to meet). Can't wait to play more, gutted I've got a 12 hr shift then working the weekend! The menu system and UI are going to take a bit of work to get used to. I'm only super early but pretty impressed by performance too, for 30 fps it's pretty smooth and it's a looker for sure.

@R1spam yea, systems/menu, all of that is definitely cumbersome. But I suspect I'll get used to it eventually. I finally figured out how to map weapons to the dpad lol.

@RetroMan71 there is somewhat of a case to be made about lack of maps encouraging immersion, but I still can’t give Starfield a point on that area. A fantasy game? Sure. A sci-fi one that is supposed to take place in a post-Google Maps world? Heck no.

It’s ok not to have real maps on uncharted planets, but there is zero logical excuse for large cities not having maps.

Edit: and I say this as someone that logre the game and has played not being else since the start of early access.

So QOL things I hope get addressed by mods and/or patches:

• Vehicles (to hell with their reasons, this game demands vehicles even if they are limited to sprint speed)
• Detailed city maps with vendors and landmarks
• The ability to consume items when picking them. Right now can only pick, then go to inventory to consume them. If I see a pear, let me click A to pick it or X to consume it, for example.
• It local map is an option, holding the menu button should bring that map up first, not the star map

@Tharsman Especially that map with the vendors I would love. Still get lost in New Atlantis all the time

The maps and vehicles you suggest are something i hear more people about, so I'm pretty sure thats what modders will work on, to make the game even better than it already is. I am certainly going to replay it a few times in the future when more mods drop.

Restarted because I didn’t use the traits system at first (I wasn’t very far in). Got kid’s stuff, wanted and adoring fan. Wanted is great for leveling up plus money for ships and goods. Also focusing on my outposts. Less for living and more for resources/money.

Number 2 is GREAT and 1 is very useful too. I wish I'd known some of these....

Ran into my first frustration with the game. Still doing this terramorph side quest I've been on for 5 or so hrs, and I kept dying. I can never find ammo that is used with the weapons i carry. Everything I pick up seems to be useless. Not to mention, I'm always running out of med packs and I can't find those either. Other than that, I love everything else. It's just a little tiresome 45 minutes walking around looking for weapons and health. I did end up progressing the quest though after multiple attempts.

@NintendoByNature go to the main cities and buy some ammo, I did that to start me off, then I try to carry various weapons that use different ammo. You can often buy med packs too, I think they like 5-600 each

Hm right so I must state Iam a bit curious to know if this is a game for someone who like action. Hm

@NintendoByNature I look everywhere, investigate every 'room' and/or open every pickable door/container. I have 'only' once run out of specific Pistol ammo, but have LOTS of other Ammo for all my other weapons. If all else 'fails', you can use the 'cutter' as a Weapon too and whilst it 'seems' low damage (4), its hitting a LOT of times per 'second' and 'never' runs out of Ammo either. It counts as a 'heavy Laser' weapon so if you also have the Laser and/or Heavy skills unlocked, you can also increase its damage too - eventually unlocking the ability to set enemies on fire. It says a 'chance' to set on fire, but as its a constant 'beam' of damage, its inevitably going to burst into flame.

I have not yet needed to buy any ammo - but then as I said, I explore every room and 'loot' every ammo container, every weapon case etc.

@oliverp Have you played 'Fallout'? If so, this is similar - although the 'action' is a lot more responsive, more mobility and more choice too. If you want, there is always something to do, always some 'action' to be found - not just on foot Combat, but space combat, exploration, base/outpost building, resource hunting/gathering etc etc.

If you want to find 'specific' action, like clearing out a base of Pirates or a fleet of ships in space, its pretty easy to find those opportunities - however, if you also want a more 'peaceful' experience, you can go round scanning and resource gathering, crafting, researching etc. Its not Action, action, action like some games, but there is a LOT of Action in the game.

@BAMozzy Oh thanks for update. No to be honest I have not really played much Fallout to be honest. But I remember to have played a little bit of Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion back in the days on my dads PC which was a very nice and fun experience. I honestly think I would probably have fun with that game even today. I know I was so impressed with it back days but I dont think I have played any serious RPG after that game actually hehe (beside a little bit of Pokemon).

@oliverp Elder Scrolls is very similar in terms of the 'overall' experience. Obviously a different setting and Combat style, but the underlying structure of the game is similar. That 'freedom' to go anywhere, to be the character 'you' want to be in that universe is present here. There is almost always something to do - not all of it is 'intense' action. Ship building or 'resource' gathering, scanning a planet to get it to 100% complete for example may not be 'intense' action but maybe just the amount of Action you want to deal with at that moment - especially if you have just come out of an intense 'firefight' (either Ship or hand combat) and want something a little quieter to do.

I'd recommend Game Pass over purchasing - not that I don't think the game is 'worth' buying because for 'fans' of Bethesda RPG's, this is by far their 'best' game on release and well worth playing, but because you can 'try' it yourself, as well as many other games, for a lot less money and if you don't 'enjoy' Starfield, are not down £70 and have a LOT of other games (inc Lies of P, Forza Motorsport, PayDay 3 etc) to play instead. If you really enjoy Starfield, you can still buy it at a later date - and with a bigger Discount if you have a Game Pass Subscription if you want too. Game Pass lets you decide if you want to keep playing the game or not and 'if' not, plenty of other options for you to 'try' every month too...

@PsBoxSwitchOwner yea I had to look up where to actually go. Finally figured it out.
@BAMozzy thanks, good to know. Aside from the cutter, I also switch to the axe or shank but close combat isn't as easy.

@NintendoByNature Melee can be somewhat hit or miss - literally LOL.

The cutter though is decent and can be 'focused' for more damage and boosted too - although but does increase the rate at which it 'overheats'. However, you never 'need' ammo and can melt enemies quickly. I used it to kill the first 'pirates' I met (after meeting Barrett) and it cleared them very quickly.

The first Terraformer I met was around the same point and I found it quite useful whilst also jumping/boosting around, using the environment to my advantage to beat it. I predominantly used the cutter as I could spit out damage, jump/move to avoid incoming attacks and by the time I am in a position to attack, the cutter is back to 100% full...

It didn't take that long at a lvl 2-3 and I only had a 'pistol' as an alternative (excluding melee - but I didn't want to get that close). The cutter is an option and you may find it 'useful' and effective rather than having to leave to go find Ammo elsewhere.

@BAMozzy sweet deal. The next skill point I'm allocating is to laser. Out of curiosity, how do you use a jet pack? Maybe i missed it.