Todd Howard has confirmed in a recent interview that the main Constellation companions in Starfield are the only ones to have personal, full-length storylines and the option for romance. While there is still more to be unveiled, this insight offers fans a better understanding of how companions function in the game.
Howard also mentioned that player choices can have an impact on their relationships with characters, potentially making them angry, although it remains uncertain whether companions can actually leave the player. He does mention that if players are not fond of companions, they have the option to essentially abandon them on unused ships, outposts, and locations. Additionally, Howard notes that it is technically possible for companions to be robots, similar to the confirmed companion Vasco, but there were concerns about how to effectively execute this concept. It seems that while there will be numerous companion characters in the game, only four will offer romance options.
During the latest episode of the Kinda Funny Xcast, host SnowBikeMike posed a community-oriented question about the romance aspect of Starfield. Howard's response was straightforward: "The four main Constellation ones are the ones that support full questlines for them and romance." While some fans may find this answer disappointing, as it suggests fewer romance options compared to Skyrim or Fallout 4, it does suggest that there may be more depth in Starfield. In Skyrim, for instance, romance is largely limited to wearing an amulet, proposing, and living a simulated life with a partner. The relevant segment begins at the 24:36-minute mark below.
For those unfamiliar, the Constellation faction in Starfield is the primary group connected to the game's central storyline. They are explorers committed to unraveling the mysteries of the galaxy and answering the question of what lies beyond. By the time of Starfield, general exploration has become less common, making the Constellation one of the few remaining groups of space explorers. Players become involved with them after stumbling upon an alien artifact. As of now, the Constellation group in Starfield is known to include leader Sarah Morgan, Barrett, Matteo, Noel, Sam Coe, Vasco, Vlad, and Walter. Although not confirmed, it is likely that Howard was referring to Sarah Morgan, Barrett, and Sam Coe at the very least, based on their roles in the recent Starfield Direct.
The availability of romance options in Starfield raises questions about the overall depth and potential limitations of this feature. One aspect of concern is whether the characters in Starfield will have specific sexual orientations that restrict certain romance options based on player choices, or if they will be universally open to romancing regardless of the player's character choice. While the latter scenario seems probable considering the approach taken in Skyrim and Fallout 4, it has not been officially confirmed at the time of writing.
Starfield is scheduled for release on September 6 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
