Summary
When gamers finally got their hands onStarfieldin late 2023 following years of hype and a multi-million-dollar marketing effort, many found that the sprawling sci-fi RPG didn’t quite live up to their expectations. While Bethesda’s sprawling space epic provided players with plenty of planets to explore and a slew of sidequests, the bulk of the former were barren while the latter could quickly become repetitive. However, one part ofStarfieldthat managed to win over many players was the detailed backstory Bethesda created for the universe, with the game’s frequently referenced Colony War providing a perfect setting for a potential prequel.
Although the response to its long-awaited sci-fi RPG may not have been what Bethesda was hoping for, the fleshed-out universe that developers created for the game opens the door to telling all sorts ofStarfieldside stories. The most exciting of these in terms of gameplay possibilities would be diving deeper intoStarfield’s bloody and brutal Colony War, with the conflict between the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective providing plenty of opportunities for new experiences. Whether released as a spin-off with similar gameplay or as a radical departure fromStarfield’s RPG roots, a Colony War prequel could breathe life back into the franchise.
A Starfield Prequel Could Follow the New Vegas Formula
The most obvious way for Bethesda to explore the devastating conflict that took place decades before the start ofStarfieldwould be to followFallout: New Vegas’ formula and release a standalone spin-off using the same mechanics as the main game. This could not only cut down on development time thanks to the ability to reuse many ofStarfield’s core systems, but also ensure that it feels familiar to fans of the original. Releasing a Colony War-era prequel as a standalone title might also make more sense than trying to explain the time jump in a traditionalStarfieldexpansion.
Much like in the main game, players of the prequel could choose to work with different factions as they make their way through the story. While the libertarian forces ofStarfield’s Freestar Collectiveand the militaristic United Colonies would obviously be the main players, the game could also introduce smaller factions seeking to take advantage of the chaos caused by the Colony War. Another, bolder, option would be for Bethesda to abandonStarfield’s RPG trappings altogether and embrace a new genre for a prequel.
Starfield’s Colony War Would Be Perfect for an Action-Oriented Spin-off
Rather than being another RPG in the same vein as the base game, aStarfieldprequel could switch to a genre more befitting the violent, chaotic setting of the Colony War. Since major battles in the brief but brutal war took place both planetside and in outer space, an FPS prequel could split the action between on-foot and vehicle-based sections similar to 2017’sStar Wars: Battlefront 2. With Mechs playing a significant role in the conflict, the game could even take inspiration fromRespawn Entertainment’s acclaimedTitanfall 2.
Since creating a solid shooter might prove to be a bit of a challenge for a studio that has traditionally focused on RPGs, Bethesda could potentially hand off development duties to one of the many FPS-focused developers on Microsoft’s roster. Just asid Software offered assistance onStarfieldto verify the game’s tech was up to par, Bethesda could work with the developer of the prequel to ensure that its story and setting fit well with the existing canon.
Although itdidn’t excite gamers in the same way as some of Bethesda’s previous games,Starfield’s hard sci-fi settingand detailed lore still has plenty of potential. Shaking up the timeline and genre to let players experienceStarfield’s Colony War firsthand would be a great way to expand on the game’s unique universe and could go a long way toward helping the franchise recover from its notoriously shaky start.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
