One of the most common things forBethesdafans to do is to compare the strengths and weaknesses of its various games. You may feel likeStarfieldis the ultimate gaming experience, but someone else might feel thatSkyrimis where gaming officially peaked, and both schools of thought are totally okay.
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Both Starfield and Skyrim have their own distinct strengths, especially considering how different the two games are. While both games are massive in their own ways, each title is sure to draw people in for different reasons, making determining which game is truly better a tricky task for most people.
9Starfield - Space Setting
Not only canyou explore the expanse of space, but you can do it all while getting everything in order to do so all by yourself. Starfield really does let you create your own space adventure, and that is something that drew so many people to one of the most talked-about games of all time.
The issue with the space setting is that it is a detriment and a bonus in the same breath to different people. Some will love a sea of endless stars and planets, while others will groan at what is essentially a giant blank canvas with only a few spots in which you are allowed to paint.
8Skyrim - Fantasy Setting
It may seem like a simple thing to some, but the fact that Skyrim has a fantasy setting and fantasy stories makes a big difference. The populated world filled with NPCs, secrets, and literal dragons makes exploring every inch of the world an exciting experience.
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Even long after completing the main story, you’ll be combing forests with a bow, engaging enemies with swords and axes, and casting spells in catacombs. The world is filled with all the fantasy wonder and political intrigue you could expect, and that makes Skyrim special.
7Starfield - Gunplay
Being another Bethesda game, you might expect that Starfield would provide more hand-to-hand combat, but it goes the route of the Fallout series instead. You have tons of different guns to try out as you travel across the galaxy.
The enemiesthroughout the main questare about as smart as anyone would expect from Bethesda games, making the gun combat something that some will love while others feel a bit short. There are other aspects of the action to keep things interesting, but some may not get the same level of variation from Starfield’s combat as they do from a typical run in Skyrim.
6Skyrim - Swords And Magic
While the combat from Skyrim isn’t always the most talked about aspect of the game, it is an important aspect for this purpose. Most battles won’t be as dynamic as other games, but going up against large groups of enemies or a dragon is always a joy.
You are able to take every challenge in the game on in the way you’d like (for the most part), and that extends to combat. You can be an assassin, a mage, a warrior, or any other manner of fantasy fighter you can think of.
5Starfield - A Much More Immersive Experience
While there have been some mixed things said about Starfield from various players and reviewers, something that is almost universally said is that the game is immersive. It’s true that those looking to experience a once-in-a-lifetime space exploration RPG will want to give Starfield a try.
As long as you are capable of overlooking any bugs you come across, something that is common in Bethesda games, you will have no issue being immersed in outer space. Thanks to the game being subject to fewer memes and time in popular culture, there are fewer instances of immersion breaking throughout.
4Skyrim - Varied Quests
The beauty of Skyrim is that there is something to fit the taste of every fantasy fan. If you prefer the classic thievery of Robin Hood, you can go live out those dreams in the Thieves Guild. If you want to play a darker assassin, then you can experience the story of the Dark Brotherhood.
You cantackle any and every side quest availableif you wish, or you can tailor your experience with the game to your taste. As long as someone enjoys fantasy, they’re bound to enjoy at least one of the major side questlines of Skyrim, something that can be rare in other RPG sidequests.
3Starfield - Vast Open Exploration
It’s shocking what Bethesda was able to do with the exploration aspect of Starfield. It manages to be one of the biggest sandbox experiences you can have, though some have determined that while that may be true, it is deceptively large.
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Regardless of that, being able to explore vast planets and their unique environments is a treat, as long as you love exploring the unknown. Many areas may be void of much of interest, but that might be a major draw of the game, making each new find all the more enticing.
2Skyrim - Intuitive Exploration
While Skyrim boasts just as open of exploration as Starfield on a gameplay level, Skyrim’s exploration is much more intuitive. You know exactly where you need to go,regardless of the awesome areas you travel to, and when you are exploring freely, you aren’t likely to ever wind up lost.
Thanks to cave systems and ruins having similar design philosophies, you’ll be able to tell when you’re near their end. All the exploration you do will feel pointed as there is always something to do, even if you are exploring without an active quest in mind. Finding new gear or meeting new characters is easier than it’s ever been in Skyrim.
1Winner: Skyrim
Skyrim has the advantage of being perfect for more than a decade at this point. The game is one of the tightest experiences possible regardless of the aspect you’re looking at. Its story may get mixed reviews from players, but the fact that someone could ignore the main quest entirely and still have a fulfilling experience says a lot about Skyrim.
While Starfield is an excellent and vast experience, players are still struggling to come to grips with everything it has to offer. It’s so starkly different from similar games that even something as similar as exploring can feel daunting and, at times, less rewarding than it does in Skyrim.
