Topic: Starfield

Nothing really 'jumped' out to me with little knowledge of the game, its world and/or what kind of role I wanted to be. I went with some 'unknown' background and didn't select any traits as I wasn't sure of the benefits/drawbacks and how 'impactful' they'll be. Owning a Home for example sounds 'OK' but not if I never go there and don't know how much I need to pay. I knew the Adoring Fan was a definite 'No' from me too.

Since I started, I have 'heard' and 'learned' more. I have also heard that it maybe a good idea to 'focus' on the main Story and push through getting that done to start a NG+ run - not sure If I can assign different backgrounds. I tend to start New IP RPG's with the least 'specialised', most 'general' build I can and then see how that goes. Its usually after 'lots' of hours and understanding the game, the systems, the weaponry, the combat etc and which 'skills/backgrounds' may well suit me/my character and the way I want to play.

My first 'Character' in these type of games tends to be more to get a 'feel' for the game, get to know the 'lore', the way Combat feels, which weapons I like etc. No point picking 'Brawler' if you find out later that you don't really use 'melee/melee' weapons because it doesn't fit the way you play, preferring to 'boost' around shooting instead. Don't yet know how 'useful' Persuasion is or really what each Faction is/offers.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I tried to keep my character as 'free' as I could, not specialised or with 'benefits/drawbacks' due to 'traits' so that I can get used to the game, combat, lore etc and let that 'experience' shape my next character/playthrough. It will also 'help' highlight any differences that traits make, different dialogue, behaviour etc from NPC's.

I have to say I have been a bit overwhelmed so far as I found the tutorials are very light (struggle massively with the ship flying stuff at start), could not yet found how to setup new things on the quick access and the lack of a map on cities was the thing that got me to put the controller down for the night and do something else instead...
I am pretty sure I will love the game when it clicks but so far it is a hard sell

@Balta666 I know what you mean - I didn't know how to put items in Quick Access either until I decided to 'favourite' a weapon and then it allowed me to assign a position for it. Also I crashed and blew up a ship trying to get it to dock but I think I had to be in 'scan' mode.

With the cities, it can get somewhat overwhelming without a map but having the option to fast travel to 'mission' points does help - especially if you have to traverse the city through various loading zones. You can jump from deep in a city straight to another planet without having to 'navigate' back to the ship to take off and plot a course.

I think its that 'new' IP on a scale we haven't seen before. Its getting used to the systems etc within their 'design' and I can imagine 'maps' being incredibly time consuming, maybe not available in some areas (due to time, procedurally generated content etc) etc. Cities with buildings and multiple levels would all need 'bespoke' maps made of each level, each area you can explore etc and that would be a 'massive' undertaking with a game with so much 'playable' area to include a 'mini-map'.

Its not like Fallout or Skyrim with just '1' major playable zone to recreate in 'mini-map' format.

I guess, as you explore and become more familiar with these places, the signs and landmarks too may help but I would appreciate a bit more visual help to get around right now myself...

What you said is exactly why I'm fine having no map. I seem to pay more attention to my surroundings by getting familiar with certain landmarks etc. slowly remembering and finding my way round is exactly what exploration is all about and I think this is why they never included a map. They want you to explore and find your own path.

@RetroMan71 Whether its a conscious choice or a practical one - I don't know. All I was suggesting is that its not a game like Skyrim/Fallout where you have one 'major' map for the 'mini-map' and a few other 'mini-maps' for specific buildings/dungeons etc - the amount of 'mini-maps' they would need to create for Starfield could be a reason they opted not to go that route. With a LOT of Procedural Generation too, it may have been difficult to have a 'mini-map' at all in some areas of the game. In some areas, you have to cross 'zones' so the minimap would likely only be 'limited' to the zone you are in and show you were you can transition/load into the next zone. But a map would be extremely useful to show what missions/activities you can check out in that zone, show mission boards, traders etc but I can cope without.

I am beginning to become a bit more accustomed to the areas I have spent time in and adjusted to the lack of a mini-map - including in Combat and determining where enemies are, which direction they are etc. Its just taken more time and would have a QoL aspect - not that it is 'necessary' and does add to the sense of visiting these places for the first time. I'd feel overwhelmed and somewhat 'lost' without a map in a city I've never been too before too...

The lack of a map or mini-map was confusing at first, I admit, specially after playing Ubisoft games recently (Far Cry 6) and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. But, if my memory serves me right, the scanner is very helpful in this regard, as it shows you little icons to find the mayor quests and locations.

I am really liking Starfield. I am not too deep into the Main Quest yet, but at least the premise and the beginning is intriguing. As many have said, it is a Bethesda RPG at its core. I have never been a diehard of Bethesda, even if I have played and liked many of their games (Fallout 3, New Vegas, Skyrim, Oblivion), but the sci-fi setting and overall polish of Starfield (yes, the NPCs may look "ugly" and the animation style is the same since Oblivion, at least - but, overall, the Creation Engine looks better) has hooked my attention so far. So much, in fact, that I may be buying the game when it hits a sale, even if I am subscribed to GP.

Oh, and two more things: I love the sound design and the music!

Did anyone else join the vanguard right away? On my way to one of my first mission I decided to join. Did my training and got sent on my first vanguard job which was going to a small research facility to assist some locals or something. Well, stuff went sideways and I was tasked with taking down a terraform. Didn't realize the game would have some light jump scares lol. Terraforms are definitely terrifying haha. It was a level 10 and I finally managed to beat it at a level 4. Took me like 7 or so tries though. Not an ideal job for a previous life chef if I do say so lol. Where the heck is all the ammo btw?

Love that the piloting simulation allows you to safely grind the piloting skills (seems obvious but not all games let you train and have it carry into your skills). I figure I'll play a Vanguard/Ranger/Bounty Hunter/Mantis. Evil stands no chance in my universe.

Do the Terrormorphs eat people? I find it odd they are basically following humanity everywhere.

I just started tonight and only had the chance to play a couple of hours but it's made a pretty strong first impression with me! The shooting feels far tighter than fallout 4 and with the removal of the voiced protagonist, I like the dialogue choices more already. I went for a diplomat background with a dream house, parents and an adoring fan (who I have yet to meet). Can't wait to play more, gutted I've got a 12 hr shift then working the weekend! The menu system and UI are going to take a bit of work to get used to. I'm only super early but pretty impressed by performance too, for 30 fps it's pretty smooth and it's a looker for sure.

@R1spam yea, systems/menu, all of that is definitely cumbersome. But I suspect I'll get used to it eventually. I finally figured out how to map weapons to the dpad lol.

@RetroMan71 there is somewhat of a case to be made about lack of maps encouraging immersion, but I still can’t give Starfield a point on that area. A fantasy game? Sure. A sci-fi one that is supposed to take place in a post-Google Maps world? Heck no.

It’s ok not to have real maps on uncharted planets, but there is zero logical excuse for large cities not having maps.

Edit: and I say this as someone that logre the game and has played not being else since the start of early access.

So QOL things I hope get addressed by mods and/or patches:

• Vehicles (to hell with their reasons, this game demands vehicles even if they are limited to sprint speed)
• Detailed city maps with vendors and landmarks
• The ability to consume items when picking them. Right now can only pick, then go to inventory to consume them. If I see a pear, let me click A to pick it or X to consume it, for example.
• It local map is an option, holding the menu button should bring that map up first, not the star map

@Tharsman Especially that map with the vendors I would love. Still get lost in New Atlantis all the time

The maps and vehicles you suggest are something i hear more people about, so I'm pretty sure thats what modders will work on, to make the game even better than it already is. I am certainly going to replay it a few times in the future when more mods drop.

Restarted because I didn’t use the traits system at first (I wasn’t very far in). Got kid’s stuff, wanted and adoring fan. Wanted is great for leveling up plus money for ships and goods. Also focusing on my outposts. Less for living and more for resources/money.

Number 2 is GREAT and 1 is very useful too. I wish I'd known some of these....

Ran into my first frustration with the game. Still doing this terramorph side quest I've been on for 5 or so hrs, and I kept dying. I can never find ammo that is used with the weapons i carry. Everything I pick up seems to be useless. Not to mention, I'm always running out of med packs and I can't find those either. Other than that, I love everything else. It's just a little tiresome 45 minutes walking around looking for weapons and health. I did end up progressing the quest though after multiple attempts.

@NintendoByNature go to the main cities and buy some ammo, I did that to start me off, then I try to carry various weapons that use different ammo. You can often buy med packs too, I think they like 5-600 each

Hm right so I must state Iam a bit curious to know if this is a game for someone who like action. Hm

@NintendoByNature I look everywhere, investigate every 'room' and/or open every pickable door/container. I have 'only' once run out of specific Pistol ammo, but have LOTS of other Ammo for all my other weapons. If all else 'fails', you can use the 'cutter' as a Weapon too and whilst it 'seems' low damage (4), its hitting a LOT of times per 'second' and 'never' runs out of Ammo either. It counts as a 'heavy Laser' weapon so if you also have the Laser and/or Heavy skills unlocked, you can also increase its damage too - eventually unlocking the ability to set enemies on fire. It says a 'chance' to set on fire, but as its a constant 'beam' of damage, its inevitably going to burst into flame.

I have not yet needed to buy any ammo - but then as I said, I explore every room and 'loot' every ammo container, every weapon case etc.

@oliverp Have you played 'Fallout'? If so, this is similar - although the 'action' is a lot more responsive, more mobility and more choice too. If you want, there is always something to do, always some 'action' to be found - not just on foot Combat, but space combat, exploration, base/outpost building, resource hunting/gathering etc etc.

If you want to find 'specific' action, like clearing out a base of Pirates or a fleet of ships in space, its pretty easy to find those opportunities - however, if you also want a more 'peaceful' experience, you can go round scanning and resource gathering, crafting, researching etc. Its not Action, action, action like some games, but there is a LOT of Action in the game.