“I’m having fun with Starfield, but there are things about it that are causing me to appreciate Star Citizen more. (And yes, there will be a companion piece about the things it is making me frustrated with Star Citizen.)”
In this video, Daniel Raymond, the voice behind Ray’s guide, discusses the things that playing Starfield has made him appreciate about Star Citizen. He begins by acknowledging that the seamlessness of Star Citizen’s gameplay, which allows for uninterrupted transitions from building to train to city to space travel, is something he had taken for granted. He compares this to the frequent fade to black and scripted cutscenes that he has experienced in Starfield. While he recognizes that other games like Elite Dangerous and No Man’s Sky do offer seamless gameplay, he believes Star Citizen has reached the pinnacle in this aspect.
The second point he highlights is the joy of flying in Star Citizen, the thrill of zooming low across the surface, the freedom of speed, and the satisfaction of successfully landing a ship. He argues that Starfield’s space flight lacks the same level of engagement and accomplishment. He mentions that while Starfield offers the ability to jump from one ground location to another, it feels like a relief when compared to the complexity of flying in Star Citizen.
Raymond appreciates the consistency and realistic aspects of Star Citizen compared to Starfield. He mentions that Starfield’s ships have fuel tanks but no fuel gauges or need for refueling, and the proliferation of bullets and missiles feels nonsensical. He believes that Star Citizen’s focus on maintaining a sense of realism within its own rules is a valuable aspect of the game.
He also appreciates that Star Citizen avoids the clutter of non-reality information in the field of view. In Starfield, he notes that opponents’ health, armor, and other crucial details are not readily apparent, requiring players to switch their attention to scanners. In contrast, Star Citizen forces players to infer threat levels and conditions based on visual cues, making the gameplay more immersive.
Raymond discusses the difference between Star Citizen’s “you are your character” approach and Starfield’s RPG mechanics, where skill points allocation determines success. He praises Star Citizen for focusing more on personal skill and controller capabilities, which makes for a more satisfying experience, especially in player versus player encounters.
In conclusion, while playing Starfield has made him appreciate certain aspects of Star Citizen, Raymond acknowledges the different strengths and focus of the two games. He states that each game has its own territory and unique qualities, and they cannot be declared better than one another.