Summary
WhenStarfieldwas released in September 2023, it attracted mostly positive attention from both players and critics alike. It was easy to initially praiseStarfield’s take on Bethesda’s traditional formula, including its unique world and seemingly limitless exploration opportunities. However, as time has passed, the same happened with noticing and pointing out Starfield’s shortcomings, especially as it was advertised to be a long-term experience rivaling that ofThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Now,The Elder Scrolls 6is the next big game in production by Bethesda, but it seems to already be off to a rough start due toStarfield’s late average reception.
Despite likely being years away from completion and having almost nothing to show of itself so far,The Elder Scrolls 6is already garnering criticism on account ofStarfield’s shortcomings. Some who have foundStarfieldto be an average experience are preemptively setting their expectations exceedingly low forThe Elder Scrolls 6, but there are some compelling reasons as to why this is largely an unfair perspective on the nextElder Scrollsgame and how it may negatively affect its development.
Starfield Isn’t Necessarily a Sign of What’s to Come in The Elder Scrolls 6
Obviously, it’s impossible to know the full extent of whatThe Elder Scrolls 6will be like once it releases, as the game was only confirmed to have entered active production in 2023 afterStarfield’s launch. However, judging bypastThe Elder Scrollstitles, it’s fairly safe to say thatThe Elder Scrolls 6will be an entirely different game fromStarfield.Starfield, for instance, is a Sci-Fi space exploration game, whereasThe Elder Scrollsfranchise is a fantasy series heavily influenced by the Middle Ages. With the two being so starkly different from one another,Starfieldisn’t necessarily a sign of what’s to come inThe Elder Scrolls 6.
Despite both games being unique experiences, Bethesda will more than likely be taking what it has learned fromStarfield’s performance and translating it over toThe Elder Scrolls 6. Certain features, likeStarfield’s in-depth character customizationand New Game Plus mode, may find their way over toThe Elder Scrolls 6. Even if this does happen, however,The Elder Scrolls 6will still be no more like its Sci-Fi predecessor than it was before. As such, perhapsThe Elder Scrolls 6shouldn’t be preemptively criticized on account ofStarfield’s sins.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Shouldn’t Be Preemptively Criticized for Starfield’s Sins
Regardless of its initial reception,Starfielddidn’t rise to meet the expectations of a significant portion of its fan base in the long run. Many notedStarfield’s neglect of iconic Bethesda features, along with what ultimately felt like an empty universe, despite possessing over 1,000 planets to explore. The game’s host of planets eventually began to blend together, despite early marketing claims that each one was handcrafted and unique. Additionally, the game’s story divided its audience, with some saying it was one of Bethesda’s best, and others saying it was one of the developer’s worst.
Starfieldmay have fallen short in several areas, but it was also a brand-new experience for Bethesda, and arguably their most ambitious game yet. In light of that, holdingThe Elder Scrolls 6responsible forStarfield’s shortcomingsdoesn’t really make sense, as it is the next installment in a well-established franchise with roots that simply can’t be abandoned, rather than being something entirely new likeStarfield was. In that case, the hope is thatThe Elder Scrolls 6will thoroughly exceed expectations and prove itself to be set apart in the best ways from its Sci-Fi predecessor.
