In the weeks following the launch of Skyrim developer Bethesda’s highly anticipated RPG Starfield, the game has caught attention for its plummeting player numbers and criticisms. Find out why one of the biggest RPGs of recent years is seemingly falling out of favor with players so soon.
The Hype and High Expectations
Explore the initial excitement and anticipation surrounding Starfield's release.
Starfield arrived with sky-high expectations, promising countless hours of gameplay. The game's creative director, Todd Howard, described it as intentionally designed to be played for a long time. However, the game's reception has not lived up to the initial hype.
Within a few months of its release, Starfield has failed to secure a Game of the Year nomination and has seen a significant decline in player numbers. This raises the question: why is this highly anticipated RPG losing its shine so quickly?
Declining Player Numbers
Examine the decrease in Starfield's player counts and compare it to other similar AAA RPGs.
SteamCharts data reveals a significant decrease in Starfield's player counts. Just a month after its release, the game saw a 66.61% drop in players, and after two months, the active player base was halved. Comparing these numbers to other AAA RPGs, Starfield is falling behind.
For instance, Bethesda's previous titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4 have maintained higher player counts on Steam. Even contemporary RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 have more active players. Starfield's current player count is struggling to keep up.
Criticism and Frustration
Delve into the common criticisms and frustrations expressed by players regarding Starfield's gameplay.
Many players have voiced their dissatisfaction with Starfield's gameplay. Negative Steam reviews have led to the game's rating dropping from 'Positive' to 'Mixed.' Bethesda has even taken the unusual step of responding to negative reviews to offer counterpoints.
One of the main criticisms revolves around the game's limitations, repetitiveness, and frustrating quests. Players often feel that the choices they make in quests have little impact and that the game lacks depth and immersion. The NPCs and interactions also leave much to be desired, with many characters feeling bland and forgettable.
Additionally, the vast number of planets in Starfield often feel empty and devoid of interesting activities. The game's world, while visually appealing, fails to provide engaging gameplay experiences beyond the initial exploration.
Oddities and Unrealized Potential
Highlight the oddities and missed opportunities in Starfield's world that contribute to player frustration.
Starfield's world is filled with head-scratching oddities that further frustrate players. Quests often offer underwhelming rewards or present choices that lead to unsatisfying outcomes. The game's economy also feels unbalanced, with vendors offering meager sums for valuable items.
Moreover, the game fails to create a truly immersive experience. Despite the vastness of the cosmos, players' actions seem confined to a small box. Crimes committed in one corner of the galaxy are somehow known throughout the entire universe, undermining the sense of realism.
All these factors contribute to the perception that Starfield falls short of its potential and fails to deliver the captivating space-traveling future that players were eagerly anticipating.