There are plenty of developers who specialize in making role-playing games, but few, if any, can hold a candle to Bethesda Game Studios. In Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, the team is responsible for two of the biggest and best RPG franchises of all time, which is why so many people were excited for Starfield ahead of the game's release. It also helped that it was the first new Bethesda IP in almost a quarter of a century.
Given that players had been able to sink hundreds of hours into previous Bethesda titles, there was a fair amount of speculation as to how long Starfield would be during the buildup to the game's launch. Those looking for yet another content-rich affair should be delighted with what's on offer here, though they may well be a little surprised by the way that the game's content is divided.
How Long Does it Take to Beat Starfield?
The main story of Starfield can be completed in under 20 hours, with each subsequent New Game Plus run lasting around ninety minutes if players opt to focus on main story missions alone. However, it's important to note that the main story makes up only a small fraction of what Starfield has to offer, with the game also boasting a ridiculous amount of side content for players to indulge in. Those who endeavor to explore every star system and tackle every side quest can expect to spend hundreds of hours playing Starfield; if not thousands.
How Does Starfield Compare to Other Bethesda Games?
Starfield is considerably shorter than Fallout 4 and Skyrim, with both titles offering around twice as much in the main story department. However, Starfield more than makes up for this with its plentiful side content, a lot of which presents itself to players organically while they're taking on the main story. As a result, most will probably find themselves getting pulled away from the main questline on a regular basis, either by some out-of-this-world side quest or the prospect of building an outpost on a distant planet or moon.
Is Starfield too Short?
Although Starfield may seem a little short on paper, the game's length may actually come as a refreshing surprise to anyone who is new to Bethesda games or the RPG genre in general. Rather than having to set aside forty or fifty hours just to experience the main story, players are able to choose how much of Starfield's content they interact with, making it much less intimidating. All of the side content is ready and waiting should they want more interstellar adventures; which should go some way toward appeasing those who had been hoping for a more traditional Bethesda-length title.
Should I Play New Game Plus Mode?
Starfield's main story length may be a little on the short side, but those who are left disappointed by how long it takes to beat the game can at least take some solace in the fact that it offers post-game content. Starfield's New Game Plus mode is pretty unique as well, offering players a brand-new way to experience the main story. It's possible to complete new game plus mode multiple times too, with the player's ship and spacesuit growing stronger with each subsequent run.
Starfield is available now for PC and Xbox Series X|S.