Bethesda's upcoming Science Fiction RPG, Starfield, has high expectations to meet. Given the studio's history of overpromising, there is a concern that this game could end up like Fallout 76. However, recent in-depth gameplay previews suggest that these promises may actually be fulfilled. Bethesda has taken a refreshingly transparent approach, not only hyping up Starfield's features but also being open about its limitations. In various interviews, including one with Kinda Funny's Xcast, Todd Howard from Bethesda spoke candidly about what Starfield won't be able to achieve. Howard confirmed that only around 10% of the game's planets will be fully populated and there will be certain restrictions such as no fishing. One noteworthy limitation mentioned by Howard is that players will only have four romance options throughout the entire game. While this may disappoint some fans, it is likely a wise decision in the grand scheme of things.
Starfield's Approach to Romance Options is Hopefully Quality Over Quantity
During the mentioned interview on Kinda Funny's Xcast, Todd Howard confirmed that Starfield will offer only four romance options. These options will be available through the game's four Constellation companions. While not all the details about these companions have been disclosed, it is likely that Starfield's romance options will include Sarah Morgan, Barrett, and Sam Coe. Sarah Morgan holds the position of leader within the Constellation faction and is an accomplished astrophysicist. Barrett is expressed as the chief engineer of Constellation, while Sam Coe embodies the archetype of a charming space cowboy reminiscent of the Firefly series.
For some fans, the limited number of romantically available companions in Starfield might be disappointing. Many modern RPGs typically provide players with a larger pool of romanceable characters, sometimes even exceeding five options. BioWare, for example, has previously offered players a multitude of romanceable companions, with Dragon Age presenting eight romance options and Mass Effect 2 featuring a staggering total of 12. Even Bethesda's previous games have reached a similar quantity, with Fallout 4 allowing players to romance up to 10 characters, concurrently if desired.
However, Starfield's limited romance options may actually be a strategic decision for a couple of important reasons. Firstly, Starfield is taking on a monumental task with its expansive Sci-Fi RPG framework, incorporating numerous intricate systems and mechanics. Boasting an innovative character creator, a myriad of potential companions to uncover, an epic story that spans the galaxy, a staggering number of 1000 planets with 100 sustaining life, and an extensive ship builder, the complexity of Starfield's features means that compromising on the romance options to offer four seems like a sensible trade-off.
Furthermore, the reduced number of romance options suggests that Bethesda may have dedicated more resources to enhancing the quests and dialogue for these romanceable companions compared to previous RPGs. It is hopeful that Bethesda has invested ample time in developing the unique characteristics, motivations, and extensive lines of dialogue for each of the four romanceable companions. Additionally, there is potential for engaging quests that revolve around these romances, possibly even rivaling the exceptional quality and originality found in Mass Effect 2's Loyalty missions.
Starfield launches September 6 on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
