Unveiling Starfield: A Jaw-Dropping First Hour That Rivals Skyrim's Epic Start
Discovering the immersive world of Starfield presents a unique challenge for early-access players, as its initial hour unfolds at a deliberate pace, offering a distinct contrast to Skyrim's more fast-paced introduction
When it comes to western RPGs, few titles are as iconic and beloved as The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Upon its release in 2011, Skyrim became an instant hit, attracting a massive audience of both long-time fans and newcomers. The game's popularity has only grown over the years, with numerous re-releases continuing to sell well. Skyrim undoubtedly boasts one of the largest fan bases of any RPG, making it a formidable challenge for any game to surpass. However, Bethesda has made a valiant attempt with their latest release, Starfield.
Having recently entered early access, Starfield has received a positive reception from most critics. While opinions may vary, reviews and opinions of Starfield consistently commend its ambitious scope, engaging storylines, diverse activities, immersive world, and more. One notable aspect, however, is the game's slower pace compared to others. Starfield demands a substantial investment from players, but the rewards are plentiful. Nevertheless, it is worth considering the game's opening hour, particularly in relation to the fast-paced introduction of Skyrim.
Starfield Has a Much Slower First Hour Than Skyrim
Skyrim's introduction is widely acclaimed as one of the most iconic in gaming history, and it has been a major factor in enticing players to repeatedly restart the game over the past decade. Despite the current notoriety of the intro as a meme, it effectively sets the stage for the entire game. The opening sequence starts with the player awakening in a moving cart, where they are exposed to a well-executed dialogue that conveys vital information about Skyrim's political landscape and recent history. Though this may become tiresome during subsequent playthroughs, the introduction successfully establishes the game's mysterious and dark tone while providing essential world-building details.
Upon reaching the destination of Helgen, players are granted access to an impressive character creator that has withstood the test of time. However, just as the players are about to face execution, the town comes under attack by a dragon. This event initiates a thrilling escape through the blazing streets of the city. Through this escape, players are introduced to intuitive and subtle tutorials on combat and gear, striking a delicate balance between providing sufficient information and avoiding excessive hand-holding. Once the dungeon is navigated, players are given full access to the vast open-world of Skyrim. With its iconic, exhilarating, and informative first hour, Skyrim's introduction sets an exceptional standard for role-playing games.
Unfortunately, Starfield falls short of the beloved first hour experience that Skyrim offers. Instead, Starfield starts with the player traversing an underground mine alongside two characters who provide exposition about the game's universe. Following an encounter with a mysterious artifact that grants them visions of the universe, players are granted access to Starfield's character creator, which some argue is on par or even surpasses Skyrim's quality. After a short stroll, players are presented with an opportunity to engage in combat against pirates, serving as a brief tutorial. They are then awarded their first spaceship, given a brief tutorial on space combat, and set free to explore at their own discretion.
While Starfield's introduction technically concludes fairly quickly, it lacks a sense of urgency, with sluggish pacing and minimal action sequences that may leave players feeling somewhat disappointed. Although shooting down pirates provides enjoyment, it pales in comparison to the exhilarating Helgen dragon attack in Skyrim. The remainder of Starfield's opening hour typically revolves around players familiarizing themselves with the game's numerous menu systems and mechanics, many of which are not adequately explained. However, once the game gains momentum, Bethesda's latest RPG truly takes off and evolves into something remarkable.
Starfield launches September 6 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
