After seven years in development and multiple delays, Starfield's highly anticipated gameplay deep dive has finally been revealed, showcasing its impressive ship customization and interstellar combat. Following in the footsteps of traditional Bethesda titles, the open world game casts players as galactic explorers, offering a next-level sandbox experience akin to Skyrim and Fallout 4. But what sets Starfield apart is its vast universe, boasting over a thousand immersive planets that players can explore with their fully customizable spacecraft. With new technology developed by Bethesda, space itself is given the same level of attention as the game's stunning handcrafted landscapes, allowing players to take direct command of their ships from the cockpit and dive deep into the dark corners of the galaxy.
Players can fully customize their ships in Starfield, from shaping and coloring to assembling. Each manufacturer features a unique interior style, and a limitless color wheel allows for personalized paint jobs. Bethesda showcased the game's intricate ship customization at the 20-minute mark of the Deep Dive video, even revealing some of the developers' own designs, like a vibrant mech or a platypus.
But it's not just about the aesthetics. Players can also hire companions and crewmates to maintain their ship, found through exploration and factions. These NPCs add life to the ship's quarters in an immersive way. However, players must be prepared for interstellar combat as they navigate the dangerous reaches of space.
Players in Starfield will have the opportunity to engage in ship combat, whether it's against hostile ships that suddenly appear or other players who choose to engage in piracy. The combat system allows players to not only destroy enemy vessels and loot them from the comfort of their cockpit, but also to board them and seize them on the ground. This adds a new dimension to the game, as players can capture enemy vessels and add them to their own personal fleet. As in many sci-fi stories, players must be strategic about their energy usage during space exploration, allocating power to either Laser, Engines, Gravity, or Shields depending on their current needs. While space flight is an exciting aspect of the game, it is only one of the many pillars of gameplay in Starfield. The game is set to launch on September 6 for PC and Xbox Series X.