I don't often write reviews. I think I've done 2 or 3 on here. Nothing major. Usually I have to feel strongly about a game to warrant it. Also, for context, let me tell you that I have been a 'Playstation guy' since PS2 (although I skipped PS3 and tried XBox again) and I am a fan and owner of the PS5. But... I saw Starfield coming and went out of my way to get a Series X. Yes, I purchased the console for the sole intent to play ONE game. Starfield. So keep this in mind when/if reading on.
I had high hopes. I loved the concept. But I did fear this game being just another Bethesda loot collector. Thankfully they released it on to Game Pass, so I could play with no financial commitment. For clarity, I have put in 50 hours for this game, before reviewing. So, I have given it more than a fair chance. So when I can sum it up with one word... I really mean it. This game is BORING.
Fanboy's, be quiet. Loving a developer, does not make them infallible.
I really can't believe that after 6 or 7 years of development, leading in to 2023, this is the gaming experience we receive. The graphics are yesterday's graphics. The facial animations are sub-par. The NPC cut scenes are static talking heads. There is no world interaction. The characters stand stock still and deliver their lines, and that's the extent of it. When you stack a game like this up against say, Horizon Forbidden West, the difference is staggering. And let's be honest, this game is put in the shade by the likes of Uncharted 4, which is 7 years after release at this point. Bethesda should be embarrassed.
And on to more technical/gameplay issues. There is no navigation. Been to a planet before?... wanna go there again?... good luck. I for one can't remember which star system Akila City is in. Or even New Atlantis (was it Alpha Centauri?). There is no way to navigate to specific systems and planets that you know of, unless there is a mission there. Otherwise it's a case of clicking through them until you find the one you are after, or making pen and paper notes somewhere (I head Notes on iPhone is a thing too). Maps for cities?... nope. Finding out there is a whole sub-terranean section under New Atlantis you missed is golden. Good job Bethesda. You will have no idea of what shops there are or where to find them, unless you engage your Google skills or spend ages wandering around.
The lack of maps is one of the worst things. But when it comes to world building... why am I shooting the exact same Space Pirates everywhere? They are enemies without any depth or context. They're just everywhere. They may as well be generic space rats at this time. But they serve zero purpose other than being cannon fodder. Something, anything to shoot at. They are the ONLY non-alien enemies in the game. That's it. After 7 years, one type of enemy. And the aliens? How did the same alien species (in a procedurally generated universe) end up evolving on multiple planets in multiple star systems? They don't seem like a space faring species to me. How'd they get EVERYWHERE?! It's another boring cut and paste enemy.
OK. So the game is a walking simulator (no ground vehicles) and loot management sim. Honestly, 90% of this game is just figuring out how you can maximise inventory space, to carry as much as possible, to sell to some vendor. And by the way, it's a real pain figuring what to sell, as the inventory comparison is woeful, as is the entire inventory management.
Remember how everyone thought they were going to have awesome spaceships in Destiny back in 2014? And then it turned out it was just decoration for the loading screen? That's Starfield. The ships serve so little purpose, as to be irrelevant. Space combat isn't worth it. And other than that, all the spaceships do is become floating storage. It's certainly not worth the effort to get bigger and 'better' ships. That just means increased storage. Your ship is a floating Treasure Chest. That's it.
Don't even get me started on the loading screens. What the hell?!?!? The aforementioned Horizon Forbidden West, is a larger, better and more detailed game. With very few loading screens. And, I have just gone back to RDR2 from 2018. A HUGE open world, with ZERO loading screens. What is Bethesda's excuse on a newer generation console in 2023? It's shocking, the amount of loading screens.
So let me sum up my opinion thus. The console I purchased for this one game... I am selling at a loss of a couple of hundred pounds. THIS game, is THAT bad! And now... I am playing RDR2 again from the start. A beautiful open world, with an insane story, great NPCs and associated storylines, deep interaction, great voice acting... and nary a loading screen in sight.