The biggest reveal from the recent Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase was a new gameplay trailer for the highly anticipated Starfield. The game, which will be Bethesda's first new IP in 25 years, seems majorly ambitious and promises to be packed with a huge amount of content. However, fans hope that it can deliver star quality as well as quantity.
If Starfield wants to be considered one of the best open-world games, then it should take inspiration from them. Bethesda should look to such titles as Red Dead Redemption 2, Horizon Forbidden West, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Elden Ring, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Ghost of Tsushima and adapt the best ideas from those games to suit Starfield's own world and story.
Red Dead Redemption 2's Compelling Storytelling Had Players Hooked
Red Dead Redemption 2's story of morality, friendship, loyalty and betrayal is regarded as one of the best in recent times. It's gripping and emotional and stars some beautifully written characters who help bring the narrative to life. From Starfield's latest trailer, it appears the central plot will revolve around discovering what hides in the vast unknowns of space. According to a recent interview with the game's director, Todd Howard, the main campaign will be roughly 30 to 40 hours, which is a good length to hide enough twists and turns and make players really feel invested in the world, its inhabitants and their wider purpose. If Starfield can get players invested in its main storyline, then they'll be hooked for the duration.
Horizon Forbidden West's Stunning World Draws Players In
Horizon Forbidden West boasts some of gaming's most stunning visuals. Its various landscapes are beautifully illuminated and carefully detailed to encourage exploration. From Starfield's recent trailer, it's already apparent that players will be able to explore a variety of settings, from large futuristic cities to smaller outposts, across jungles, beaches, deserts, ice caps and everything in between. Starfield's space setting could easily fall into the trap of being very barren in some areas, so making these spaces attractive to explore will be paramount.
The Witcher 3's Side Content Is Perfectly Intertwined
A stunning open world is nothing without something to fill it. The Witcher 3 is the perfect example of how to do this. Its vast open world is full of varied and meaningful side content. It's perfectly intertwined with the main story, rather than simply being shoe-horned in to make the game bigger. Starfield will have over 1,000 planets for players to explore, so its developers need to ensure they all offer something unique and worthwhile to players. If Bethesda can fill these spaces with well-written characters, challenging combat encounters and powerful storylines that intersect with the main campaign in the same vein as The Witcher 3, then Starfield will surely be a winner.
Breath of the Wild's Mechanics Give Players the Freedom to Explore
With such a large open world at their fingertips, players will want to be able to explore it freely. Breath of the Wild's unrestricted climbing and gliding mechanics opened up its world in new ways and set a new benchmark for open-world exploration. Starfield's latest trailer has already shown that the protagonist is capable of leaping large distances, likely due to lowered gravity levels in space. If Bethesda can utilize this not only in combat but for exploration as well, then it could mirror the impact of Breath of the Wild's climbing and gliding, making the whole map accessible to players.
Elden Ring's Lack of Hand-Holding Makes Exploration Extremely Rewarding
FromSoftware games are well-renowned for their difficulty, and Elden Ring is no exception. However, it's not only in combat where players are left to fend for themselves -- it's throughout the game's exploration and side content too. Although it can be daunting at first, Elden Ring's lack of hand-holding is a key part of its success. Players are free to explore wherever they please and are rewarded for their curiosity with awe-inspiring new areas, intriguing characters and powerful loot. Starfield should aim to make its world similarly rewarding. Its space setting is perfect for hiding secrets and surprising players as they explore away from the beaten path. Hopefully, Bethesda can learn from Elden Ring's success and give Starfield players that same fresh sense of freedom and excitement when exploring.
Ghost of Tsushima Brings a New Twist to Classic Combat
Sword and bow combat is nothing new in gaming, yet Ghost of Tsushima made it feel just that. It added a twist to classic combat by introducing different stances and options for approaching each enemy. This added depth really enhances the gameplay and makes it feel challenging and enjoyable throughout. From the trailers, Starfield's gunplay seems pretty standard -- however, there were glimpses of intrigue. For example, the protagonist is seen exploding an oxygen tank off an enemy pirate's back. Already announced skills and weapon mods could further evolve the experience.
Bethesda has played with new approaches to gun combat before, introducing VATS in Fallout 3, which allowed players to target individual parts of an enemy, often to bloody and enjoyable effect. It's this sort of innovation that will set Starfield apart from the rest and make it, above all else, fun to play. If it can adapt and combine exciting gameplay with compelling storytelling, beautiful landscapes, immersive side content and unrestricted and rewarding exploration, then it will surely find itself in the company of some of gaming's best open-world titles.