Starfield, Bethesda’s first new IP in 25 years and the most anticipated Xbox exclusive in recent memory, is now in the hands of players — and the reaction is complex and fascinating. The game is enormous: over 1,000 planets, hundreds of hours of quests, a deeply realised spacefaring universe, and the signature Bethesda sandbox freedom. But it’s also distinctly, unrepentantly a Bethesda game.
Critics are landing around an 83-86 Metacritic range, which for a game of this scale and ambition feels simultaneously fair and slightly underwhelming. The praise is focused on the sheer breadth of content, the ship-building system (which is genuinely excellent), and the world-building of the Settled Systems. The criticisms centre on procedurally generated planetary surfaces that feel sparse, loading screens that interrupt exploration, and a main story that takes time to find its footing.
The PC version is demanding: an RTX 4090 is needed for maximum settings, and the game is Xbox/PC exclusive — a major win for Xbox Game Pass’ value proposition. Day-one Game Pass access is reportedly driving record subscriber sign-ups.
Starfield is the kind of game you lose 200 hours in regardless of its flaws. The universe is waiting.
Source: Bethesda