Bethesda's upcoming Starfield promises to be an intriguing addition to the developer's catalog of games, and fans of the sci-fi genre are looking forward to seeing what new elements it could bring to the table. From the first glimpses of the title in action, Bethesda has tried to impress players with Starfield's visuals, features, and unique aspects. However, some gamers have been making comparisons to other yet-to-be-released games such as Star Citizen, and are wondering if the two titles might have more in common than it seems.
Even in a marketplace as varied as the one for video games, there are still lots of titles that have notable similarities and even ones that will consciously emulate popular releases. This can work in a fan's favor, as they'll have a selection of games they'll know they'll like if they all follow familiar patterns. However, some video games want to push the limits, introducing new ways of doing things and establishing their own original blend of aspects to wow players and stand out from the crowd. Bethesda seems to be pulling out all the stops for its ambitious sci-fi action RPG, and it might not be as reminiscent of Cloud Imperium Games' Star Citizen as it first appears.
Star Citizen And Starfield's Aesthetic
Both Starfield and Star Citizen are yet to officially release, but Bethesda has been showing off extensive looks at its upcoming original IP over the past year or so. Cloud Imperium Games has also allowed gamers to get hands-on with its multiplayer title thanks to its Early Access period, so while the game hasn't had its actual launch yet, fans have been able to get an idea of what might be in store in the space combat simulation game. Starfield might still be a bit of an unknown entity at this point, but even on a surface level, comparisons can be made between the two titles.
It's clear Starfield and Star Citizen are both going for a kind of realism that not a lot of space-faring games aim for. Bethesda describes Starfield's particular look as "NASA Punk", which turns science fiction and spaceships into something more grounded and relatable. This could help Starfield stand out from competitors that also focused on exploration such as No Man's Sky, which opted for a more colorful and cartoonish vibe. Similarly, Star Citizen's visuals aimed to be gritty and realistic – something the game has pulled off to an impressive degree.
Starfield's Gameplay Compared To Star Citizen
While Starfield and Star Citizen might look similar on the surface, that's usually where the comparisons stop. For a start, the games are completely different genres, with Star Citizen adopting a sandbox MMO structure with a focus on multiplayer and Starfield taking Fallout and Skyrim to space with its role-playing formula. Many agree that Star Citizen is probably one of the most ambitious spacefaring titles to date, from its dizzying array of different ships players can choose from and customize to its complex world with an impressive array of activities for gamers to enjoy. Starfield is also an ambitious game, with Bethesda promising to deliver a challenging and unique open-world experience, but so far its society doesn't seem as intricate or its gameplay as multifaceted.
While the two games might have some crossover when it comes to their fanbase, there's no reason why players can't enjoy both. As it currently stands, Star Citizen is still very much a work in progress. With the controversies surrounding its long development cycle and lingering questions around an official release, some gamers might prefer to try their luck with Starfield once it comes out. Fans of Star Citizen are hoping Starfield's looming release might encourage its developer to announce a launch date, and if audiences are still making comparisons between the two, this could lead to some healthy competition as well.
Starfield launches September 6 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.