A second Starfield could surpass the original game, but only if it's willing to reimagine what being ‘Starfield’ actually means.

With the April 2025 release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, it feels like the era of Starfield is coming to an end. The latest original IP from Bethesda Game Studios, Starfield, got a considerably more lukewarm response than anyone could have predicted, and, at this point, it feels like Microsoft and Bethesda are trying to brush it under the rug. A rumored Starfield PS5 release was recently reinforced by a trusted insider, but after that, it seems like Bethesda’s premiere space-exploration RPG will end up being grounded.

  • SleepNotRequired@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    3 days ago

    In my opinion, I think the best Starfield 2 would be a prequel from the early age of space flight while people were living in space, but still before the invention of the grav drive.

    • It should all take place in the Sol System mostly on space stations, asteroid facilities, moon bases, capital ships, ect.
    • Be about political factions, corporations, scientists, space criminals, smugglers, raiding pirates, ect.
    • Focus on the ship experience including in-system flying, ship/crew management and EVA mechanics. The ship should feel like a working vessel.
    • Create a living solar system with both scripted and radiant generated events at scale from player encounters to system wide events based on the current state of the solar system and the players interactions.
    • Faction reputation system, with each of the factions controlling “towns” and “settlements” throughout the system.
    • Implementation of traditional space game elements such as bulk cargo hauling, blockade running, escort missions, science expeditions, station raids, ect. Previously included mechanics should be revamped to make them more interesting.
    • Harsh environments should require different suits and the player should have a special locker on the ship to keep them on board, Upgrading the suit should be part of the core gameplay.
    • Streamlined, but present water/food/fuel mechanics, as well as an in-depth wound/injury/medical system.
    • A main story about a freelance ship just trying to get by in the solar system. Taking on jobs, contracts, mercenary work. Bringing on a companion means getting their help working around the ship and unlock different stories and quest-lines.
    • No galaxy ending event in the main story, instead have a game just about what it’s like to live in the world of Starfield. (although during some very exciting moments.)