Highlights
Starfield and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor offer players satisfying sci-fi experiences with vast universes to explore.
Both games include robot companions, like BD-1 and Vasco, that serve as informative guides and assist the player.
While both are endearing characters, Vasco's English-speaking ability gives him the opportunity to consistently showcase his personality. Moreover, players have the option to decide when Vasco accompanies them, which distinguishes it from BD-1 who is constantly positioned on Cal's shoulder.
In 2023, gamers had the pleasure of experiencing two expansive space exploration games that provided unique and fulfilling experiences. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, released earlier this year, continued Cal Kestis' storyline from Fallen Order, inviting players to once again delve into the vast universe of the Star Wars franchise. Conversely, Bethesda Softworks' Starfield offered players a completely original and meticulously crafted science fiction adventure, paying homage to the genre's rich history. With both games at their disposal, players will find themselves never running out of activities and breathtaking locations to explore.
Interestingly, Starfield and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor share another common feature - the presence of robotic co-pilots. In Jedi: Survivor, players are accompanied by BD-1, Cal's adorable droid companion who serves various functions and adds to the overall narrative. Similarly, in Starfield, players will encounter Vasco, the robotic co-pilot of the last Frontier captain, who becomes one of the first allies and crew members in the game. These robotic companions not only tug at players' heartstrings but also offer intriguing similarities and differences in their roles and characteristics.
Starfield and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's Personable Robot Companions
The fan-favorite BD-1 droid and Vasco share striking design similarities. Their predominantly white, red, and dark gray color schemes, along with their blocky, rectangular shapes for the head and limbs, are immediately noticeable. Additionally, both possess a large camera-eye on their right-hand sides. However, while Vasco lacks depth perception, BD-1 excels in this regard and wins over hearts with its smaller, portable size, ultimately making it irresistibly cute.
Moreover, both BD-1 and Vasco serve as companions to Cal and the captain of the Frontier, endowing them with memorable personalities. As helpful robots, both Vasco from Starfield and BD-1 exhibit friendly dispositions, readily offering assistance to both the player and Cal whenever needed. Vasco, in particular, fulfills the role of a guide during Starfield's tutorial, ensuring that fans seamlessly adjust to their responsibilities as the captain of a new starship. Conversely, Cal, being a distinct character, shares unique bonding moments with BD-1, effortlessly captivating players.
How Starfield's Vasco and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's BD-1 Serve Similar But Different Purposes
However, the two helper robots differ greatly in terms of gameplay assistance. BD-1 remains constantly perched on Cal's shoulder, communicating only through beeps and boops. On the other hand, Vasco serves as a guide for Starfield fans, offering insights into what they can expect from their companions. However, Vasco is not the sole companion fulfilling this role. If players choose to journey with Vasco, he operates no differently from any other companion, except for his deadpan, factual, and positive personality.
This distinction likely arises from the fact that Starfield and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor focus on different aspects in their main stories - exploring planets and unraveling mysteries. While Jedi: Survivor is an action-adventure spectacle where BD-1 plays a pivotal role in the narrative twists, Starfield is the latest addition to Bethesda's renowned RPGs. RPGs are lauded for granting players the ability to make choices that impact various facets of the game, allowing them to determine Vasco's level of involvement based on their chosen companions.
Despite their differences, fans of robots and space exploration will likely enjoy both Starfield and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. While each title has its own unique elements, they complement each other well. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor offers a captivating main story, while Starfield's New Game Plus feature ensures that the game can be played endlessly. You can experience Starfield on PC and Xbox Series X/S.