Bethesda Game Studios boasts a rich history of creating expansive, open-world RPGs that captivate players with rich storytelling elements and vast landscapes to explore. However, there is one aspect of the company’s games that has been consistently lacklustre: the gunplay mechanics.
The Fallout series is particularly notorious for its weak gunplay, often requiring players to endure the subpar shooting mechanics in order to enjoy the other aspects of the game. Thus, with the recent launch of Starfield, Bethesda simply could not afford to deliver anything other than fun, competent gunplay mechanics.
A Legacy of Lackluster Gun Mechanics
Bethesda’s legacy has been built on immersive worlds, deep lore, and engaging narratives. Franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout have been celebrated for their ability to draw players into immersive, fantastical realms. However, Bethesda has consistently fallen short when it comes to delivering satisfying gunplay experiences.
In the Fallout series, gunplay has always felt clunky and imprecise. A lack of responsive controls, hit detection issues, and limited gunplay options have been common complaints for years now. Players endured these issues in order to experience the rest of the game. Bethesda’s reputation was built on their ability to craft captivating worlds, but its gunplay mechanics have often been a source of frustration.
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With Starfield, Bethesda aims to allow players to explore the vastness of space against an all-new sci-fi backdrop. However, by setting the game within the space/action genre, the gunplay mechanics had to deliver more so than they ever had before. In space-themed games, players often expect thrilling battles, intense shootouts, and the ability to wield a variety of futuristic firearms. If Bethesda failed to address its own historical issues with gunplay, it would risk angering a significant portion of the new IP’s audience.
Starfield represents a fresh start for Bethesda. It is the team’s first new IP in over twenty years and marks a significant departure from previously established franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. As such, the success of Starfield is essential for Bethesda’s long-term reputation and growth. The studio needed to demonstrate their ability to create a cohesive, engaging game world that excelled not only in narrative and exploration but also in gameplay, including gunplay.
Competent gunplay is not just about technical prowess; it directly impacts player engagement. When gunplay mechanics are subpar, players are often taken out of the experience and are reminded that they are playing a game. This can lead to a diminished sense of immersion.
In Bethesda’s previous titles, players were willing to endure poor gunplay because they were deeply invested in the worlds and stories. However in Starfield, where space exploration and combat are central, the stakes are higher. If gunplay became a constant source of frustration, it could overshadow the game’s other strengths and drive players away.
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Starfield’s Gunplay is Proof of Bethesda’s Evolution
The gaming industry has evolved significantly since the release of Bethesda’s earlier titles. Players now expect a seamless integration of storytelling, exploration, and gameplay mechanics. In a competitive market, Bethesda had to evolve and demonstrate their ability to meet these modern standards.
Starfield’s development represented an opportunity for Bethesda to showcase their growth as a studio. It was a chance to prove that the developers could adapt to shifting player expectations to deliver a well-rounded gaming experience. Well-crafted gun and ranged combat mechanics was an essential element in reaching fan expectations.
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It is naïve to think that Bethesda has ever blind to the criticisms of the subpar gunplay mechanics in past titles. The team clearly understood that the shortcomings in this area in titles like the Fallout games have been a point of contention among players for years now. To Bethesda’s credit, the studio has invested in addressing these issues in Starfield.
Extensive playtesting, QA feedback, and an overhaul of the underlying game engine were all part of the strategy to improve gunplay. Bethesda was determined to ensure that players would not have to suffer through subpar shooting mechanics in order to enjoy the game’s other facets.
Even in the grand cosmos of a vast title like Starfield, the competent gunplay mechanics still serve as a crucial factor in the game’s moment-to-moment gameplay. Gunplay feels like more than just another aspect of gameplay here; it directly influences player engagement and immersion.
Starfield was never just about exploring the unknown reaches of space; it was about exploring the unknown potential of Bethesda Game Studios. In addressing the historical weaknesses of gunplay, Bethesda aimed to deliver a well-rounded shooting experience that would define the team’s future as a talented game developer within this sub-genre. Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you feel they have achieved this goal.
