The Game-Changing Feature that Paved the Way for Starfield

Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios' highly anticipated RPG, has a lot riding on its success. Despite being a new IP, it faces high expectations from fans of Bethesda's past games and RPG enthusiasts. Fortunately, Starfield has the benefit of learning from its predecessors, and one particular feature is already shaping up to exceed expectations. In fact, it's been noted that Starfield has improved upon one of Fallout 76's shortcomings - its jetpacks - which is sure to please gamers.

Jetpacks in Fallout 76 are Awkward to Use

While it may be tempting to mod a jetpack onto standard armor in Fallout 76, it's important to note that the public servers may not be able to handle the added strain, making it a risky move. Although players can minimize fall damage by wearing Power Armor, this solution isn't always practical. Furthermore, even when these methods are utilized, they are often underwhelming and don't provide the desired effect.

Using Power Armor in Fallout 76 offers the benefit of complete fall damage protection, but at the cost of consuming valuable fusion cores when using the jetpack. Fallout 4 introduced the requirement of fusion cores for Power Armor movement and actions that drain the AP meter, such as sprinting and jetpack usage, deplete fusion cores at a faster rate. Despite the slower landing animation when falling from heights, Power Armor is a safer option than standard armor with jetpacks, though it is more time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Jetpacks in Fallout 76 can be unreliable for transportation due to server latency, which can cause them to fail in lifting players upward or countering downward momentum. This can result in missed platforming attempts or even death from avoidable vertical drops. For players seeking better vertical mobility, the Marsupial Mutation Serum is a more dependable option as it increases jump height.

The jetpacks in Fallout 76 do not meet expectations for a post-apocalyptic game, and their usability is lacking. While it is unlikely that they will be improved, Bethesda's upcoming RPG, Starfield, appears to have risen to the challenge of developing a better personal jetpack. The gameplay footage revealed at the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase showcases a jump pack that is a significant upgrade from Fallout 76's jetpacks.

How Starfield Makes the Most out of Jump Packs

The gravity levels on different planets in Starfield will provide the jump pack with a versatile range of utilities and maneuvers, instead of just a uniform performance. Additionally, players may be able to enhance the jump pack through modding and customization, much like the armor modding system present in Bethesda’s RPGs. Starfield's player skills also show promise in terms of altering jump pack performance. Compared to Fallout 76's jetpacks, Starfield's jump packs are a significant improvement, not only in terms of performance, but also in complexity and reliability. Overall, the jump pack in Starfield is a welcome change from the underwhelming jetpacks present in previous Bethesda RPGs.