Highlights
Starfield and Fallout share similarities in terms of gameplay mechanics, such as robust character creation and dialogue choices that impact the story.
In Starfield, players can experience a familiar settlement dynamics similar to Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. They have the opportunity to construct outposts and establish connections between bases using Cargo Links.
NPC interaction takes center stage in both Starfield and Fallout, enabling players to recruit companions and partake in captivating storylines that hold the potential to impact faction decisions.
When developers take on multiple distinct franchises, it often results in similarities and cross-references between games. Despite the obvious differences between post-apocalyptic worlds and outer space, Starfield and Fallout surprisingly share several common elements. Fans have noticed and drawn parallels between Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Bethesda's new space exploration RPG. These similarities not only showcase Bethesda's evolution but also highlight the unique features that define the developer.
While Starfield and Fallout may appear radically different at first glance, their release timelines contribute significantly to their disparities in interactivity, graphics, and scale. Fallout's most recent mainline installment was released five years prior to Starfield, which explains the noticeable differences between the two games. The open world in Fallout's Commonwealth, although sizable, pales in comparison to the multitude of open-world planets players can explore in Starfield's Settled Systems. This difference in scale consequently influences the mechanics of exploration, setting Starfield apart from Fallout. However, despite their differences, these unlikely companions do share some areas of overlap.
Starfield's Mechanics are Not So Distinct From Fallout
Players of both games will immediately notice the first similarity when they begin playing - the robust character creation and customization systems. In modern RPGs, players can spend hours sculpting every aspect of their character's appearance, and Starfield is no exception. The games also share intricate dialogue systems, where player choices directly impact the events of the game. However, Starfield sets itself apart with its silent protagonist, adding a unique spin to the narrative impact of the dialogue throughout the game.
Another similarity that carries over from Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 to Starfield is the settlement dynamics. In Starfield, players have the ability to build outposts on different planets, giving a futuristic twist to the familiar concept. Similar to Fallout 76, where players could construct settlements anywhere using the CAMP device, Starfield introduces Outpost Beacons, allowing for unlimited construction possibilities. Additionally, players can establish NPC communities and connect various bases, mining resources, and transporting them through the Settled Systems via Cargo Links. These features, combined with the ship-building and character customization options, will particularly appeal to Fallout fans who enjoyed the base-building mechanic.
The Fallout franchise and Starfield share a significant similarity in their focus on NPC interaction as an integral part of the gameplay experience. Starfield boasts a wide array of NPCs for players to engage with, ranging from those who provide quests and lead factions to merchants. Players can even recruit in-game characters, similar to the companions in Fallout 4, upon completing specific missions or meeting certain requirements. In Starfield, these characters come with their own unique storylines and have the potential to influence a player's faction choice, although Fallout 4 arguably delved deeper into companion development compared to Bethesda's latest project. Starfield's use of the same engine as Fallout and Elder Scrolls, albeit a newer version, also accounts for similarities in combat design, gameplay mechanics, controls, and the freedom players have during quests.
Furthermore, Bethesda's emphasis on player freedom extends to how missions are approached in Starfield. Players have the option to go all-out with guns blazing or invest in stealth skills and perks to take down or pickpocket enemies, similar to the mechanics in Fallout. Gun customization, a feature that was fully introduced in Fallout 4, is also available in Starfield, allowing players to personalize their weapons. These Bethesda creations share more similarities than initially apparent, and with the introduction of more mods, players can anticipate discovering additional commonalities across the planets of Starfield.
Starfield is out now for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
