Studio Bethesda Game Studios has finally unveiled the long awaited gameplay trailer for Starfield, delivering a Fallout-like vibe with starship flights, thousands of planets, diverse creatures, and sprawling space cities. The clip left a strong impression on fans who have been eagerly awaiting Starfield, with many drawing comparisons to the Fallout series from the same studio. This is a moment that positions Starfield as a major contender in the space-themed RPG genre.
During the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase 2022, the first hands-on gameplay footage of Starfield was revealed. The presentation featured Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard, who shared the stage with the Starfield showcase for about 15 minutes. The segment delivered copious gameplay footage, core project details, and a window into the user interface. The trailer suggests a setting in the year 2330. It opens with a spaceship touching down on a planet, inviting exploration and a first encounter with local wildlife. Early in the clip, resource gathering, such as mining iron, is demonstrated alongside environmental scanning, hinting at a robust survival and exploration loop. The sense of scale and discovery is palpable, inviting players to map out new frontiers in a living, breathing universe.
Combat receives substantial attention in the Starfield reveal. The sequence showcases the protagonist clashing with space pirates, wielding a broad arsenal that includes machine guns, shotguns, grenades, and more. The presentation also highlights monumental cities, diverse non-playable characters, and the rich dialog and interaction options that players can expect. Howard emphasizes the character editor’s breadth, promising a rich customization toolkit that allows players to craft highly personalized avatars. In this creation phase, players can select backstories that unlock three distinct skills, with backstories acting as a gateway to unique abilities and gameplay paths. Traits add another layer of personalization, enabling varied character builds and playstyles. The depth of customization hints at a game designed for long-term engagement and replayability, with each choice shaping the journey through space and story.
Starfield features a deep crafting system that echoes the spirit of classic Bethesda RPGs. Players can modify weapons and gear, developing a tangible sense of ownership over their equipment. The game also supports outpost construction, enabling settlements to grow in remote corners of space. Howard revealed that players will have the freedom to design and build their own starships, suggesting a surprisingly expansive ship-building toolkit. Ships created in Starfield can travel through space and engage in battles against rival vessels, underscoring the emphasis on both exploration and combat in space domains. As the showcase concluded, Howard addressed the question of Starfield’s scale, stating that players should expect thousands of planets to explore, each offering its own unique ecosystems, resources, and encounters. This breadth hints at a game designed to reward curiosity and long-term exploration, rather than a single linear arc. The scope invites players to chart a personal path through a galaxy teeming with possibilities and discoveries, with each planet presenting new narratives and challenges. Howard’s remarks reinforce the studio’s ambition to deliver a living universe that evolves with player choices and discoveries.
Starfield is slated for release on PC and Xbox Series S|X, with a 2023 launch window announced. While a precise date had not been announced at the time of the showcase, the project is positioned as a major release aimed at redefining space exploration within a Bethesda RPG framework. The anticipation surrounding Starfield stems from the studio’s track record with expansive, lore-rich worlds and mechanics that reward experimentation, exploration, and player agency. This presentation underscored Bethesda’s commitment to delivering a sci‑fi experience that blends action, creativity, and narrative depth in a seamless, welcoming package for fans on PC and console platforms alike.