Summary
It seems like September has been the month of sci-fi RPGs with the likes ofStarfieldandCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertyreleasing within a couple of weeks of each other. One is a brand-new IP from one of the biggest names in the genre while the other is hoping to finally deliver the experience that was promised years ago. Both title seem to be doing just that, but it feels likeCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertymay have a slight edge overStarfield.
While Players can enjoy both games, it is only natural that they would be stacked up against each other. They are both trying to give players expansive sci-fi worlds to explore, but they seem to be going about it in different ways.Starfieldhas given them a massive galaxy of planets to discover whileCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertyhas given them the beautiful Night City and the new district of Dogtown. Players will likely get lost in both for hours, though they may enjoy their time in Night City a bit more. WhereStarfieldis often fragmented by constant loading,Cyberpunk 2077truly feels like an open world waiting to be explored.
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Phantom Liberty is Not Marred By Loading Screens
What Bethesda has been able to achieve withStarfieldis impressive. The studio has taken its tried-and-true RPG formula and brought it to a whole new genre for the first time in over 20 years. That potential alone is exciting, which is why it is great that it actually succeeded.Starfieldhas been a great experiencethat players will likely not soon forget. However, that does not mean that the game is perfect as traversing it can sometimes feel like a slog.
Players cannot go anywhere inStarfieldwithout encountering a loading screen or two. They will see themwhen they land on a planet, when they exit their ship, when they enter towns, and when they enter almost any building. Along with that, they will also encounter them when taking off and flying anywhere within the galaxy. While the universe it created is a remarkable sight, these constant loading screens can often lead to an extremely fragmented adventure that some may choose to avoid altogether.
WhileStarfieldis filled with loading screens,Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertyseems to have almost none of them. Players are able to explore almost every corner ofNight City and Dogtownwithout running into countless amounts of loading screens. They can walk right into buildings, the missions exist within the open world, and they can drive from one point to another without being stopped. Besides fast travel, there seems to be almost no loading breaking up the experience. This not only helps immerse players in the world, but also means that the action never has to stop.
Night City may not beas big asStarfield’s universe, yetStarfieldcould have still benefited from fewer loading screens. Players want to keep playing their games without any interruptions, whichCyberpunk 2077: Phantom Libertymostly delivers. It makes the entire game feel far less fragmented, and that can lead to a far more enjoyable experience for many players. And in 2023, that amount of loading should mostly be a thing of the past.
StarfieldandCyberpunk 2077are both great games, but that does not mean they have no flaws. The sheer amount of loading that goes on inStarfieldholds the title back from being as good as it can be. Hopefully, future Bethesda games are able to take some notes fromCyberpunk 2077to minimize that a bit. While loading may never be removed entirely, it can at least be lessened, or moved to the background a bit more.
Cyberpunk 2077:Phantom Libertyis available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
