Unveiling the Unparalleled Potential: How the Next Mass Effect Outshines Starfield

Highlights

Starfield's main questline serves as a great introduction to the game's systems while delivering an engaging story about discovering mysterious artifacts.

Starfield's main narrative shares similarities with the initial Mass Effect game, evoking a gradual sense of intrigue and a thrilling quest for knowledge. This similarity makes it a suitable blueprint for the forthcoming Mass Effect sequel. The core quest in Starfield revolves around unraveling the enigmas of space and existence, offering satisfying revelations to players and propelling their journey in the game.

Bethesda RPGs are not typically known for their main quests, as fans tend to spend most of their time exploring the game's sandbox and engaging in moment-to-moment gameplay. However, Starfield breaks this trend by offering a captivating main story questline that not only introduces players to the game's various systems but also weaves a compelling narrative around the discovery and analysis of enigmatic artifacts. Constellation's mission to locate these artifacts not only showcases Starfield as a leading contender for having the best main storyline among Bethesda games but also presents a suitable blueprint for the next installment of the Mass Effect series.

In the original Mass Effect, players were swiftly introduced to the Protheans and their mysterious artifacts, triggering a life-altering vision for protagonist Commander Shepard that hinted at a devastating mass extinction event. While the first game gradually unraveled the meaning behind this vision and revealed the looming threat of the Reapers, the subsequent titles plunged players into Shepard's and their crew's efforts to prevent the destruction of galactic civilization. Starfield's slow-building mystery captures the same sense of exploration and revelation that defined the first Mass Effect, making it an ideal approach for the next Mass Effect game to wholeheartedly embrace.

Starfield's Space Is a Frontier Rife With Discoveries

In the world of Starfield, players immerse themselves in the bustling and established galaxy known as the Settled Systems. Here, the United Colonies govern and maintain order, while numerous vibrant cities and settlements span across various star systems. Life in this universe, for the most part, mirrors that of Earth. However, amidst this familiar backdrop, the game introduces characters that embody the adventurous spirit reminiscent of the Age of Exploration.

One such group is the Constellation, which players join at the beginning of the game. Despite the progress in sustaining human life within the galaxy, Constellation yearns to uncover what lies beyond the boundaries of Settled Space. This insatiable desire for exploration leads to the discovery of the first artifact, which becomes the focal point of Starfield's main quest. Delving into the mysteries of space and existence itself, Starfield revolves around deciphering these enigmatic artifacts. Fueling the player's journey is the allure of unveiling captivating revelations, enriching their experience and driving them forward.

Mass Effect 4 Could Embrace the Unknown Like Starfield

Starfield and Mass Effect are often compared due to their shared RPG format set in a fully-realized sci-fi world. While opinions may vary on the best game in the Mass Effect series, it's undeniable that the original Mass Effect set the stage for a captivating narrative, laying the foundation for one of the greatest RPG sagas. The subsequent revelations in Mass Effect 2 and 3 would not carry the same weight without the groundwork laid by the first game.

The original Mass Effect's storytelling shines through its use of mystery and intrigue, enticing players with a proverbial carrot. Similarly, Starfield's main story achieves a similar effect by leading players to decipher its artifacts. The future of the Mass Effect franchise may rely heavily on the next game. To reach and surpass the heights of the original trilogy, a return to the sense of discovery and mystery that defined the first title (and Starfield) might be the solution.

Starfield is available now in early access launch for PC and Xbox Series X/S.