Starfield Fans Wish The Game Was More Like Mass Effect in One Way

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Key Takeaways

  • Fans of Starfield remain disappointed in the game’s watered-down nightlife, feeling that it lacks realism and depth.
  • The presence of drugs in the game’s nightclubs contributed to its Mature rating, but fans find everything else about Neon unconvincing, with Mass Effect’s clubs used as an example of sci-fi nightlife done right.
  • Despite updates and DLC, Bethesda has yet to address fans’ desire for seedier nightclubs in locations like Neon.

As a long-time space RPG enthusiast who has spent countless hours exploring galaxies far and wide, I can’t help but feel let down by the nightlife offerings in Starfield’s Neon city. After years of anticipation, I was excited to dive into a gritty, immersive sci-fi experience that would rival the likes of Mass Effect’s club scenes. Instead, I found myself in an underwhelming, watered-down version of what I had hoped for.

15 months post the launch of Starfield, enthusiasts of the space exploration RPG have been yearning for a more authentic feel in some of its locales. A recurring point of contention regarding Starfield, since its initial stages, has been its nightlife, which critics argue doesn’t align with its Mature rating, and remains a topic of discussion among players.

Before its launch, I heard that Starfield earned a Mature rating from the ESRB and other international software rating boards. They considered factors like violence, language, and themes to make their decision, but what really tipped the scale was the inclusion of drugs, particularly noticeable in the game’s nightclubs. However, these nightclubs have sparked controversy among players who believe they lack depth and authenticity compared to similar locations in games like Mass Effect or Cyberpunk: 2077.

A noteworthy illustration lies in the city of Neon, suspended above Volii Alpha’s oceanic surface – a well-known, congested metropolis constructed on artificial islands. Known galaxy-wide for its high levels of corruption, Neon houses several bars and nightclubs where drug use is tolerated. However, even though these establishments are more liberal than most in the galaxy, enthusiasts such as Reddit user SexySpaceNord still find them less vibrant compared to their counterparts in the Mass Effect series. In a recent discussion, this gamer drew parallels between the crowded, erotic dance club Afterlife from the Mass Effect games and Neon’s Astral Lounge, which is less populated and offers non-interactive dancers dressed in peculiar, Teletubby-esque bodysuits.

Starfield Fans Still Want Neon to be Seedier

On numerous occasions, enthusiasts have voiced discontent about Starfield‘s polished reputation. Even before its September 2023 release, fans had wished for Starfield‘s nightlife to evoke the atmosphere of Mass Effect, following a sneak peek at Neon during a June 2023 showcase. Upon the game’s debut, many fans voiced their dissatisfaction with the city, and despite updates and the release of its first expansion DLC earlier this year, this issue remains unresolved by Bethesda.

Although it’s certainly not a new complaint, the recent post has shown that fans are still wishing for a seedier Neon. The planet is run by Benjamin Bayu, one of the most evil characters in Starfield, and quests surrounding Bayu delve into his connections to organized crime, the drug trade, and even framing the player character for murder, which many fans feel makes it the perfect location for Bethesda to show a darker side of life in the 24th century.

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2024-12-09 03:07