OS Neutral StarField (Bethesda 2023, Spoilers)

[Huntn]

If memory serves me, the issue with the console, was that they promised near PC experience on the PS4 and showed off video of game play on a PS4 proving that, but when the game came out, it would not run on the a PS4. CDPR then admitted the video showing of console gaming was doctored (I forget exactly what they did). I beleive they finally admitted its' not a game for the prior generation gaming console



Starfield is fundamentally flawed, with excessive loading screens impacting the immersiveness of the game, to the fact that every place you visit is completely empty, except for one or two POIs that are largely copy pasta, i.e. they same from planet to planet. If there's any sort of side quests at those locations, they're all the same, i.e., find a scientist in a cave, etc.

When visiting POIs in skyrim, or fallout 4 you get so much lore regarding the world about you, its amazing, and quests you stumble upon are different enough that you feel that it’s different. Hell getting the shouts were different enough, even if was the same thing (going to the wall and getting the voice, how you go there was what made it enticing. With starfield, getting your dragonborn, err umm, starborn powers is the exact same. Visit the temple, fly through the stars a few times and you have it.

Agreed… There is a framework here with much potential. Bethesda’s ambition outpaced their reality (the reality of what they capable of, compounded by doubling down on bad choices, short changing the grand scheme as originally invisioned). 🤔

 

[Huntn]

Great points & I’d agree.

In the launch presentation for SF I was nervous that TH kept on using words like ‘sandbox’ and going on about games systems - ship & base builder, physics and procedurally generated worlds.

And that’s what we got. A game where the former games system designer over indulged his love of games systems at the expense of plot, good writing and playability.

As you say, a series of mostly empty worlds where we could build bases for no compelling reason at all.

Seemingly because the one compelling reason to build them was removed from launch - ie to farm resources to enable you to fuel your ship’s gravity drive - even BGS realised that was seriously unfun for the average player.

So yes, I’d agree that the rot in Starfield was from the top. Whenever I play it, you can absolutely see that the wider BGS team - the people who designed the art etc absolutely showed up. So many aspects of that game are high quality.

FO76. Yeah I’ve read before what you wrote about the ‘no npcs’ philosophy at launch.

Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised at how Starfield turned out as FO76 showed a misplaced faith in if you build enough games systems into the game - pvp and camps for fo76 - that that will be enough.

I’d would say though that the original main quest line for fo76 is one of the best storylines I’ve seen in fallout and a superb piece of environmental storytelling.

It’s a shame that settlers update - and other updates beyond this - means that it coexists with the other quest lines and fo76 now has the typical mmo problem of storylines that seem to take place a different times all existing at once in the game. See also: ESO.

Back to Starfield. Although I agree that game direction was a key issue, I’d still say though that the under performing CE is also a big problem.

All those loading screens in Starfield in 2023 when CP 2077 will move you seamlessly from the open world to building interiors whilst applying path tracing it it all (if you have the hardware or GeForce Now) blew SF out of the water.

And let’s not even mention the souped up fallout 4 creation engine that FO76 still uses!

I regard CP77 as the greatest game I’ve ever played for the following reasons:

• The premise of the main quest.
• The most fleshed out urban environment I’ve seen. Night City is an achievement.
• Immersive, fast moving combat, especially melee, with the movement buffs makes you feel like your the baddest ass in town.
• Dynamic conversations your character has with others (single or multiple others) either a meeting or moving from point A to B. Even though these are still scripted, they feel much more organic than most of the time, approaching a single person for a stationary conversation. If I recall correctly, in Starfield at The Lodge, there some some group stationary conversations surrounding relics.
• Romantic partners and general social dynamics that put Starfield’s to SHAME. With Cyberpunk, on our adventure to heist the Basilisk, I could actually project myself as part of the Nomads. To be clear, it’s just a game, but the little touches added, the time taken to program these interactions, like sitting around an atmospheric campfire with the crew, your arm around PanAm the night before, with the guitar being played (by one of the Nomads) make it easy to become immersed into the story. 🥰

 

[bluecoast]

I regard CP77 as the greatest game I’ve ever played for the following reasons:

• The premise of the main quest.
• The most fleshed out urban environment I’ve seen. Night City is an achievement.
• Immersive, fast moving combat, especially melee, with the movement buffs makes you feel like your the baddest ass in town.
• Dynamic conversations your character has with others (single or multiple others) either a meeting or moving from point A to B. Even though these are still scripted, they feel much more organic than most of the tine, approaching a single person for a stationary conversation. If I recall correctly, in Starfield at The Lodge, there some some group stationary conversations surrounding relics.
• Romantic partners and general social dynamics that put Starfield’s to SHAME. With Cyberpunk, on our adventure to heist the Basilisk, I could actually project myself as part of the Nomads. To be clear, it’s just a game, but the little touches added, the time taken to program these interactions, like sitting around an atmospheric campfire with the crew, your arm around PanAm the night before, with the guitar being played (by one of the Nomads) make it easy to become immersed into the story. 🥰

Yeah it’s an incredible game and certainly it’s my favourite game too, for all of the reasons you stated & more

Seeing Night City with full path tracing on whilst it’s incredible OST or radio (pacific Dreams!) plays, is an awesome incredibly evocative experience. You can almost smell the streets.

It’s like playing a mega budget per episode prestige tv show, such is the sheer quality of writing, voice acting, art direction, audio design, animation and programming.

The base game is incredible enough. But then phantom liberty is even better imho and is probably the best dlc ever made for a game.

And even more incredible given its disastrous launch. But by its 2.0 phantom liberty patch, this was one epic game.

It’s the ultimate phoenix from the ashes story (as far as gaming goes).

 

[txa1265]

I regard CP77 as the greatest game I’ve ever played for the following reasons:

I'm not sure exactly where I would place CP2077 in my Top 10 all-time list, very likely Top 5 ... and agree with everything you said.

But having those "what even IS my 'gaming Top 25' or whatever" thoughts brings me back to Starfield in one way - not a single Bethesda game would be in my Top 25. Zero. I have put hundreds if not thousands of hours across Morrowind through Starfield, but no.