Unveiling Starfield's Revolutionary NPC Approach: A Groundbreaking Tradition Forged Across Decades

Highlights

While Starfield has its quirks, such as the way NPCs are treated, this is not new for Bethesda games, and fans familiar with the studio's RPG formula will know what to expect.

NPCs in the game occasionally display peculiar AI behavior, and some of them are impossible to eliminate because their roles are crucial to the storyline. The overall excellence of the gameplay and the entertaining shenanigans of the NPCs usually tend to overshadow any shortcomings in their design.

Starfield, the highly anticipated sci-fi RPG, has been released to critical acclaim, solidifying its position as one of the best in its genre in recent years. Venturing into uncharted territory after 25 years of familiar gameplay may have been a risky move, but Bethesda has skillfully crafted an unforgettable cosmic adventure. However, amidst all the praise, it is worth noting that Starfield retains some of the idiosyncrasies that longtime Bethesda fans are familiar with regarding its treatment of non-playable characters (NPCs).

Starfield's Handling of NPCs is Nothing New for Bethesda

In open-world RPGs, NPCs play a crucial role in creating a living and immersive environment. They come in various forms, each with their unique tasks and responsibilities. These can include quest givers, story-driven characters, background characters, nameless guards, and multiple wandering NPCs within the cities. Bethesda RPGs, as well as other RPGs, have adopted this approach to breathe life into their worlds. However, with the release of Starfield, players have noticed some peculiar differences.

Following the example set by Baldur's Gate 3, where players had complete freedom to kill any NPC they encountered, some players expected Starfield to offer the same level of control. Yet, they quickly realized that Bethesda had implemented certain limitations. While players can still eliminate numerous NPCs during their adventure, there are specific characters integral to the storyline who cannot be killed. Instead, these characters will temporarily hunch over before regaining their composure and continuing with their designated tasks. Although this may appear to be a glitch or an unconventional game mechanic, it is in fact a characteristic feature of Bethesda RPGs.

Bethesda frequently allows players to shape the storyline and enjoy various endings as a reward for multiple playthroughs. However, important non-playable characters (NPCs) crucial to quests have traditionally been non-killable, ensuring that players can complete the numerous storylines these games offer. While players may desire more influence over Starfield's narrative, Bethesda has yet to fully grant them that authority. Perhaps the studio will remove these restrictions in the future, but for now, players will need to find ways to adapt.

In addition, some players have observed that Starfield's NPCs exhibit occasional glitchy behavior due to various bugs. This is a common occurrence in Bethesda RPGs. The game's AI often makes peculiar decisions, moves strangely, or even unexpectedly attacks the player. One could argue that such issues should not be present in a game released in 2023. However, the enjoyable gameplay and captivating storylines often compensate for these minor flaws.

Starfield's NPCs may appear peculiar, but they are no stranger than those in previous Bethesda RPGs. These games have consistently showcased an intriguing dynamic with the characters that inhabit their worlds, and Starfield continues this tradition. As a result, players have been sharing amusing videos of the most bizarre NPC interactions they come across. Similar to Fallout 4 before it, these idiosyncrasies will undoubtedly fuel discussions about Starfield for years to come.

Starfield is currently accessible on PC and Xbox Series X/S.