Why Starfield Could Break Free by Not Being a Sequel

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The upcoming release of “The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered” in April 2025 appears to signal a winding down of the “Starfield” era. The highly anticipated original IP from Bethesda Game Studios, “Starfield,” didn’t receive as warm a reception as expected, leading many to believe that Microsoft and Bethesda are trying to move past it. A supposed “Starfield” PS5 release was recently hinted at by a reliable source, but since then, it seems like Bethesda’s flagship space-exploration RPG may not take flight after all.

It’s regrettable that the situation with Starfield isn’t more favorable, given that it was Bethesda’s first new franchise in over two decades and generated a lot of buzz. The game had a whole decade to build up for its release. When the launch of Starfield finally approached, it gained fan trust through an event called Starfield Direct during the 2023 Summer Game Fest presentations. Even after its release, the Shattered Space DLC was expected to smooth out the game’s rough edges, but it largely fell short. There is still potential for a new Starfield game, but it can’t simply follow in the footsteps of being called Starfield 2. Instead, it needs to blaze a new trail and offer something fresh.

Why The Next Starfield Can’t Be A Straightforward Sequel

Starfield’s Identity Can’t Just Be Expanded, It Must Be Rewritten

It may seem surprising given Bethesda’s success with franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, which have adhered to numbered naming schemes and refined their core gameplay over iterations. However, the elements surrounding Starfield’s mechanical core, such as its story and structure, haven’t gelled into something beloved by Bethesda fans. As a result, even if Starfield maintains some resemblance to its predecessor in terms of controls, significant changes will likely be necessary, similar to what a full reboot would entail for the game’s overall design.

Without getting into specifics about production timelines, it’s likely that there will be a significant gap between the existing Starfield game and any potential sequel. To signify a fresh start, they might consider altering its title slightly or adding a subtitle. For instance, James Gunn did this with The Suicide Squad, which is distinct from the earlier Suicide Squad film. Similarly, a new version of Starfield could be developed that improves upon its original premise, giving players an enhanced experience based on the existing narrative twist and New Game + method.

How A Second Starfield Can Distinguish Itself From Its Predecessor

Another key factor behind the decision to reboot/reimagine is ensuring players get the desired immersive experience, which may make the game appear quite different from Starfield. Enriching Starfield’s universe with various alien life forms, particularly intelligent non-player characters, becomes essential for this new iteration of Starfield. Although it might lean towards a Mass Effect-like atmosphere compared to the initially human-centric version, this revamped Starfield will strive to rekindle the excitement of finding intriguing secrets lurking around every corner by creating a more captivating environment to accommodate them.

Starfield’s Planet Structure Can’t Stay In A Sequel

Moving on to a more intriguing backdrop for the upcoming Starfield game, it’s crucial that the developers avoid repeating the mistake of mostly barren planets as seen in the original. Instead, they might consider designing a few detailed maps, reminiscent of Borderlands 3 and The Outer Worlds. While this approach may not perfectly mimic the vastness of true space exploration, it will ensure that the game stays manageable and the story remains focused. Trying to emulate No Man’s Sky’s primary appeal after its challenges in execution might not be beneficial for Starfield. Instead, Bethesda should strive to construct something enduring for Starfield’s future.

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2025-04-27 02:33