Summary

• Starfield's faction questlines provide a refreshing variety from the main story, with each questline having a distinct feel and offering freedom for role-playing within a structured mission format.
• While all of Starfield's faction quests are well done, some stand out as exceptionally engaging storylines that elevate the concept of a faction questline to a new level.
• Even the worst Starfield faction quests offer interesting tasks and narratives.

Starfield features some of the best faction questlines Bethesda has ever created, but some are better than others. Each questline has a distinct feel, creating a refreshing sense of variety from the main story as well as each other. They also have a lot of freedom, allowing players to role-play various characters within a somewhat fixed mission structure. However, some of Starfield’s faction quests fall short of what the others deliver, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yet, it’s clear that some questlines are far more engaging to play.

[Warning: This article contains story spoilers for Starfield.]

Faction quests are an iconic element of Bethesda’s titles. Some have even proven more compelling than the game’s main questline, such as Oblivion’s Dark Brotherhood quest or Skyrim’s Dawnguard DLC. This trend continues with Starfield, with four massive faction quests that rival the main hunt for the artifacts and The Unity. Though, not all factions are as captivating as others. To be sure, each of Starfield’s faction questlines is phenomenally done, providing the most exciting experiences the game has to offer. However, some stand out as particularly exceptional storylines that elevate the concept of a faction questline to a new level.

4 Freestar Collective Rangers

Starfield’s Freestar Collective Rangers faction questline is perhaps the least engaging of the four. It plays like the questlines from previous Bethesda titles, specifically concerning the mission structure and narrative pacing. The result is a somewhat predictable storyline, especially for seasoned Bethesda fans. However, this doesn’t mean players should write off the quest. On the contrary, it is the perfect way to engage in the space cowboy flavor of sci-fi role-play, with a vibe that feels inspired by the iconic show Firefly.

Players take on the role of a deputy in the Freestar Rangers, a group dedicated to keeping the peace within Freestar Collective space. The task is to investigate a farm being threatened off their land, which is only the first part of a mystery that goes all the way to the top of the Council of Governors, the primary government of the Freestar Collective.

The Freestar Ranger questline has its share of exciting moments and asks some challenging moral questions that players must take a stance on. Yet, it doesn’t offer as much depth as the other faction quests in the game, partly due to a smaller scope and low stakes. That being said, it has some of the best quest rewards.

3 Ryujin Industries

The Ryujin Industries faction quests in Starfield are much more fun than they first seem. The initial mission sends the player on a coffee run, which typically wouldn’t come to mind when one thinks about engaging questlines. However, the plot quickly thickens into an intriguing web of corporate espionage and politics. This is the perfect quest for players who enjoy speech challenges, as it emphasizes persuasion skills. It also showcases Bethesda’s expertly crafted dialogue and focuses a great deal of attention on character motive.

Unfortunately, the Ryujin questline has some drawbacks due to some clunky game mechanics, particularly regarding stealth. In general, Starfield’s stealth system feels pretty awkward. What makes the difference between remaining hidden and being detected is often unclear. Sometimes, hacking a computer in a room full of people, with a cubicle as the only cover, is more successful than walking across a hallway with a single guard several dozen meters away. In other words, stealth can feel confusing, which often leads to frustrating moments.

Of course, players can opt out of this gameplay style, but to be fully immersed in the Ryujin quest, investing heavily in the stealth and concealment skills feels like a must. Yet, this faction is otherwise one of the more intriguing ones in Starfield and even lets players become an android in a way.

2 United Colonies Vanguard

The United Colonies Vanguard faction questline is one of the earliest that players gain access to in Starfield, and it’s one of the very best. It has much in common with traditional Bethesda faction quests, featuring a healthy mix of combat and speech-based gameplay. However, its phenomenal storytelling sets it way above the pack. The UC Vanguard storyline is massive enough to feel like it could actually be the main questline. It has incredibly high stakes with potential universe-wide repercussions. Also, the villain is outstanding and one of the most complex and memorable characters Bethesda has ever created.

What begins as a routine mission turns into a frightening struggle to stop an outbreak of the most lethal alien threat in the known universe, terrormorphs. The beasts are genuinely formidable, perhaps even more so than Fallout’s Deathclaws, and the pressure of their spread throughout the Settled Systems is expertly communicated to players during a tense encounter in New Atlantis of all places. The UC Vanguard questline is remarkable and will likely be one of the highlights of any Starfield playthrough. It also has its fair share of rewards, including a free penthouse in New Atlantis.

1 Crimson Fleet

The Crimson Fleet faction questline is one of Starfield’s best, and most of its success is because the nature of its story essentially allows players to play two faction quests at once. Players are recruited by UC Sysdef, a special organization tasked with defeating the infamous Crimson Fleet. Sysdef sends players on an undercover mission to infiltrate the pirate band, and chaos ensues as players are forced to choose which organization to side with. The double-agent mission style creates perfect tension and suspense, making for one of the most captivating storylines in Starfield.

The story is not all the Crimson Fleet quest has going for it. It also allows players to engage in perhaps the widest variety of gameplay within a single questline. Featuring fun combat sections and even missions with the opportunity to play stealthily if players choose to, it culminates in an epic space battle, no matter what faction players side with. The Crimson Fleet quest showcases nearly every element that makes the game great, and it practically begs players to investigate other paths in Starfield’s New Game Plus.

Several of Starfield’s faction questlines are so massive in scope and stakes that they feel like they could be games of their own. They offer a breadth of experiences that is certain to scratch the space fantasy itches of many players. It sets a new bar for side quest storytelling that will hopefully positively impact future Bethesda titles and other RPGs. The depth of these questlines also bodes well for future Starfield DLC, such as the Shattered Space expansion.

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