Starfield, Bethesda’s next open-world RPG, finally has a release date.
The wait is over, it seems Starfield devs at Bethesda Studios finally announced the release date of a post on Twitter (Opens in a new tab). However delays back to 2022we can get our mitts on this sci-fi RPG on September 6 2023.
There is also today official announcement of the launch date video showing a one-minute teaser for the game and a message from Bethesda director Todd Howard. The short trailer also contains information about a special Starfield Direct event on June 11, 2023 that will take us “into the studio and give [us] a deep dive into the game.” Howard continued: “The game has many of the hallmarks you’ve come to expect from us, but it’s also a unique experience.”
Like many observers, I didn’t know what to expect Starfield when it was first announced back in 2018. However, the emphasis on space exploration, along with the tasteful NASA-punk aesthetic, has been more than enough to pique my interest ever since. Plus, it seems Starfield filled with cosmic mysteries and wonders. The announcement video gave me a major 2001: A Space Odyssey vibes, and I’m here for it.
In the stars
Among the The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, forget, and Fallout 3, Bethesda’s open-world RPGs have had a huge positive influence on my gaming life. From the snowy streets of Whiterun to the ramshackle structures of Megaton, the places and people in the world of Bethesda hold a special place in my heart. However Fallout 4 successful in so many ways, I know I’m not alone in finding the experience a bit unpleasant. The backward matching of RPG mechanics and the reduced dialogue options left me unsatisfied.
Combing trailers for Starfield, it’s likely that Bethesda has learned from its missteps. Character customization alone feels like a welcome return to form, with scope for perks and other forms of meaningful customization.
The premise, too, is refreshingly novel. Starfield takes place 20 years after the interstellar war between the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective. This kind of uneasy calm makes for a great backdrop when it comes to creating meaningful narrative tension: just look old-school World of Warcraft or The Witcher 3. The player, on the other hand, is a member of Constellation, an organization of space explorers.
Bethesda games are always about exploration, and it’s inspiring to see Starfield accept this theme and run with it. That said, it’s likely that fans of Skyrim’s civil war will also get their share of compelling political thrills through in Starfield factions.
Overall, there is a lot to look forward to. September can’t come soon enough.