The release date for Starfield has been announced and players are closer than ever to experiencing Bethesda’s new open-world adventure set in space. The game developed by the creators of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout was originally announced during Bethesda’s E3 conference in 2018, years before the company was purchased by Xbox. Starfield is Bethesda’s first new universe in over 25 years, meaning they will have a clean slate to work on rather than expand the lore of previously existing intellectual properties.

Much like many of Bethesda’s other open-world RPGs, Starfield will allow players to create their own characters and explore the game at their own pace. During their adventures, they will be able to make multiple decisions, many of which mold the outcome of their story and how they interact with the different characters, factions, and cities in the game. In many aspects, players will find similarities between Starfield, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Fallout 4, for instance, which helps give a better grasp on how the title will work.

Platforms & Release Date For Starfield

As Bethesda was acquired by Microsoft, Starfield will be an Xbox-exclusive title and will arrive for Xbox Series X/S and PC. The release date for Starfield is set for September 6, 2023. The date was announced in early March this year and has remained unchanged since then. There have been no signs that the game will be delayed in any way – and with pre-orders already available for interested customers and the different editions revealed, it is very unlikely that Starfield’s launch will be postponed. Nevertheless, Bethesda has yet to conclude the game’s development and start printing physical media – also known as going gold.

Prices & Differences For Starfield’s Editions & Pre-Order Bonuses

Starfield will have a total of three editions for players to choose from: Standard Edition, Edition, and Constellation Edition. The Standard Edition offers just the base game at $69.99, which keeps up with the current pricing for most AAA games in the industry. The next version, Starfield’s Edition, comes with the base game and a few extra perks for $99.99, and the Constellation Edition, a physical product, sells for a much pricier $299.99.

Regardless of the chosen edition, all pre-orders for Starfield will gift players with the in-game Old Mars skins for the Laser Cutter, Deep Mining Helmet, and Deep Mining Pack. The specific details on each Starfield edition and the links to the participating retailers can be found on Starfield’s official website.

Starfield Is Set In & Beyond The Solar System

Starfield is set in the year 2330, a time when humanity has already expanded its reach beyond the solar system and is exploring other galaxies. As a fully-fledged space RPG, the game will not be set on a specific planet or set of planets. Instead, players will have over 1,000 planets to explore within Starfield. Some of these locations are inhabited and have enormous civilizations set in them, while others are still unexplored and untouched by humankind. Other planets may even foster factions, which may or may not be friendly depending on how the main character is built and the choices that players make along the way.

In this universe, players will be part of a group of explorers called Constellation. Their goal in Starfield’s story is to locate artifacts across the many planets offered by the game. The way that players tackle the missions they receive, however, is entirely up to them. As noted by Bethesda, players can take different approaches to each quest and use their unique skills to solve problems, either through blunt force or conversational abilities.

Starfield’s Gameplay Is Vast & Customizable

There will be many things to do in Starfield given the game’s vast gameplay system. Players can control their own character in first or third person, exploring the aforementioned planets and embarking on missions as they choose. They will have a wide range of weapons at their disposal, as well as other tools that will help them in their exploration. As such, players can either play in first or third-person or alternate between them as they prefer. Aside from conquering and plundering, players can gather resources and build various outposts on planets of their choice.

Another important element in Starfield’s gameplay is space exploration with the starship. Players will be able to freely customize their starship in Starfield, modifying not only its appearance but how it operates. The starship will be able to be used for exploration and combat alike, and the vessel’s energy distribution can be modified on the go to attend to the present moment’s needs – shields can be reinforced in combat, while engines can be boosted for quicker exploration and space jumps, for instance.

Although the player is in control of the vast majority of the starship, another gameplay element in Starfield is recruiting for the vessel’s crew. These characters can help with tasks and provide bonuses for players. They can also aid in on-surface planet exploration, with combat skills, and more. There are many gameplay possibilities within Starfield, and players will be able to engage in the story as freely as they like.

Source: Starfield