I've finally had a bit of time to get on the Xbox and start-up Starfield, and so far I'm pretty happy with it. I'm only a couple of hours in so I won't be able to go too in-depth with this 'First Impressions' post.
The Game Just Starts
The first thing about this game I noticed is there really doesn't seem to be any wasted time. As soon as you load up a new game you're in an elevator with two other characters and within the first couple of lines of dialogue you find out that you're a new worker on this world, and you're being shown the ropes to a certain extent.
They kept referring to me as Dusty, and I assumed that was going to be my character's name or something, but then realised that it's actually a nickname for mining noobs I guess.
When you first arrive you're sent to go and extract some ore, and this acts as a pretty good tutorial. I guess the creators decided that they didn't need to spend too much time on this section, as by now most gamers understand that if you aim your curser at something and hit the trigger on your controller you'll shoot.
I kind of like the idea of these laser shooting machines used for mining, and I think there'll be plenty more interesting Sci-fi ideas as the game progresses.
After mining five pieces of ore, you're on to the next part of the level where you're sent alone to explore a new section of the cave. Kind of weird for the noob to be sent alone but whatever.
As I continued down the shaft there was some weird material that seemed to affect the gravity in it's vicinity because all of the rocks and debris were floating. I actually thought this was a glitch at first when I saw one rock on its own, but soon realised that it wasn't when I walked into it and it drifted away.
After touching the object you're blasted with some kind of vision of the galaxy and wake up in a med bay of some kind.
Character Creation
This led to your colleague asking if everything checks out as they hand you a mirror of some kind.
The character customisation is fine, and there seems to be plenty of choice for how you want to make your person.
When I got to the trait section I was a bit confused, and think we could have done with a bit more time to learn about the politics of the world before choosing what religion or faction we want to be. So, that would be my only gripe about it so far.
Where's My Spaceship!?
As soon as we finished here I started pilfering everything in site, and I even stole someone's sandwich from the table in front of them and they actually started complaining about it, which to me is funny.
Then we proceeded to an airlock and the characters wouldn't go any further and I was left wondering if this was a glitch, but no, they were waiting for me to put my helmet on, which is a nice attention to detail I suppose. But, I wish the characters actually told me to put my helmet on, as I think it would have been more immursive than me confused flicking around for a fast travel button.
Once outside, a ship landed, and a buyer for the thing I found came over and started talking to us about the object. Before any money was exchanged though we're attacked by pirates known as "The Crimson Fleet," - I wanted a faction in the sci-fi stories I write called the crimson (something) but decided not to because of The Crimson Dawn in Star Wars, but I guess Bethesda doesn't care about simular names. Regardless, this gave me a chance to get some shooting practice in.
After they were dealt with, there were complaints between the buyer and Supervisor Lin. Then the buyer started to talk about how special I am since I saw the vision, and talked briefly about his secret society of sorts. Then out of nowhere, he gives me his ship so I can go and talk to some of the people about what happened to me.
Now, I find this awfully strange. I get that I have to go and talk to these people about my experience, but just giving someone a spaceship is so strange. It kind of feels like Fallout 4 in a way, and how we're given power armour and kill a death claw within our first hour or two of the game.
I'm not going to complain about being given a spaceship to go exploring, but I do think it all happens so quickly. Especially because they seem to assume my character can actually fly it.
Ship Combat
As soon as I leave the planet I'm attacked by more Crimson Fleet literally two seconds after finding out how to fly the thing. The controls are fine, and I really like the energy system, where you need to divert power to enhance your weapons or shields.
The combat was pretty easy and within a few minutes I had destroyed three spaceships, but again, even this feels very rushed.
When the ships were destroyed I was able to fly close to them and loot some components from the wrecks. I like this, and I'm sure I'll end up seeking out ships to loot as the game continues.
Thoughts of Everything
I get they want us to get into the game and not get bored, but I would have liked a little bit of time to settle myself into the universe, without being instantly made the 'hero,' I don't know if I'm right in saying this, but I would have liked to be the average Joe for a bit while finding my feet and learning a bit more. I could be wrong, and maybe it's a good thing to just get into the game and learn as we go.
My favourite aspect of a game is building myself up, so being handed everything within the first hour seems weird to me and has taken some of the fun out of it.
