After being kept in the dark for over three years, Bethesda’s highly mysterious sci-fi epicStarfieldfinally got plenty of interesting details at this year’sE3 2021 showcase.Starfield’sofficial teaser trailer that premiered at the beginning of Bethesda and Xbox E3 2021 showcase, alongside the Into theStarfieldDocumentary trailer that released a few hours later, doesn’t reveal how this next-gen RPG plays. Rather, it does reveal how it might feel to play.
Bethesda’s Todd Howard has previously talked how about space traveling inStarfieldwould be a more realistic affair, calling it as dangerous as the “flight in the ’40s.” Howard’s statement and the overall vibe ofStarfield’sE3 2018 reveal trailer set an impression thatStarfieldis aiming towards the hard sci-fi genre. And while there are plenty of incredible novels and moviesStarfieldcould be similar to, one surprising resemblance is to 1982’sBlade Runner.
RELATED:Starfield E3 Trailer Was Made Solely With In-Game Footage
Starfield Could be Embracing the Tone of Blade Runner
The originalBlade Runneris regarded as one of thebest sci-fi moviesever made. One of the reasons whyBlade Runnerstands out among so many incredible sci-fi experiences is its aesthetics and overall tone. There is an inexplicable serenity to be found in the world ofBlade Runner. Its futuristic depiction of LA feels both alienating and comforting.
Unlike most sci-fi pieces of entertainment,Blade Runner’sbest moments are not stylish over-the-top action sequences but the introspective and quiet moments that leave more questions than answers. Neon-drenched rainy city streets are a sight to behold, bustling with chaos as the protagonist struggles to maintain his composure.Blade Runneroften paints a picture where humanity strives in its bleak neon-soaked environments rather than humans themselves.
Many video games have tried to recapitulate the sense of scale and being in a universe akin toBlade Runnerthough very few have nailed the tone right. Last year’sCyberpunk 2077comes close to capturing the appropriate scale and beauty of the world ofBlade Runner. Although based on the 1988’s tabletop gameCyberpunk, the similarities betweenBlade RunnerandCyberpunk 2077are plentiful.
Cyberpunk 2077is a perfect example of what aBlade Runnervideo game should look like. The verticality, the superficiality, the sketchy characters, the weapons, and the vehicles are some of the aspects thatCyberpunk 2077does capture quite well. Where it flusters, however, is when it comes to capturingBlade Runner’soverall vibe and tone.
Cyberpunk 2077’sworld feels more chaotic and glamorous, focused on capturing the superficiality of a dystopian world. There is rarely a quiet moment in between. Even while traversing themegalopolis of Night Cityat the odd hours of the night, the game seldom generates a sense of serenity, which is the heart ofBlade Runner. It’s weird becauseCyberpunk 2077does everything except capturing the essence ofBlade Runner. This includes multiple easter eggs and references throughout Night City. WhileCyberpunk 2077opted for the style over substance, it still feels disappointing to people who expectedCyberpunk 2077to be the video game version ofBlade Runner.
Surprisingly, Bethesda’sStarfieldhas more in common withBlade RunnerthanCyberpunk 2077. The comparison seems absurd becauseStarfieldis not set in some futuristic cyberpunk city on earth, rather it takes place outside of earth. However, the vibe of everyStarfieldtrailer seems to resonate with that ofBlade Runner. A sense of serenity that comes from traversing alienating frontiers in a retro-futuristic world that is scientifically correct is whatStarfieldseems to be opting for and is also precisely what is most striking aboutBlade Runner.
What makes this seemingly coincidental comparison more interesting is the fact that one ofStarfield’sconcept artseems straight out of theBlade Runnermovie. Creating aBlade Runnerstyle architectures isn’t rare but capturing its essence is, andStarfieldseems to be doing exactly that. The world-building, exploration, and environmental storytelling are few things at which Bethesda Game Studios is really good at, and it’s exciting to imagine the prospect of exploring a Starfield city that not only recapitulates the sense and style ofBlade Runnerbut also its tone and themes.
RELATED:Bethesda Apologizes to PS5 Players for Starfield Xbox Exclusivity
Starfield Could be Embracing the Philosophical Nature of Blade Runner
Blade Runnerhas a multi-layered story full of philosophical and religious statements that are not for everyone. It’s also a big reason why the movie didn’t fare well at the box office. Action-packed sci-fi movies and video games where protecting humanity from alien species is the protagonist’s primary goal is more favorable and easily accessible, rather than deeply philosophical ones that question the mere existence of humans and humanity.
Interestingly,Starfieldseems headed in the same direction asBlade Runnerdid with its themes and depictions. According to Todd Howard,Starfieldis about “hope, shared humanity, and searching for the answers tolife’s greatest mystery.” While the description is ambiguous, perhaps the goal is to explore and understand the depths of humanity by traversing the vast array of planets and moons.
Bethesda titles haven’t shied away from depicting various facets of politics and regions in its games through multiple factions, andStarfieldshould be no different.Starfieldis confirmed to have multiple factionsin the game that players could join. Interestingly, there is also a book stacked on the shelf of the protagonist’s ship in the recent trailed namedOmega: The Last Days of the World. The book apparently deals with the “philosophy and political consequences of the end world.” The books and audio logs inThe Elder ScrollsandFalloutgames tend to flesh out the game’s lore, and this book inStarfield’steaser trailer could be hinting the same.
It’s refreshing to seeStarfieldtake a more retro-futuristic take on the sci-fi genre and explore themes that ain’t usually touched by mainstream video games. Fans have gotten a look at the game’sNASA-Punkstyle through one of the game’s concept art in which the player character is wearing a torn down trench coat definitely suited for a bounty hunter.Starfieldis more than a year away from release, and future reveals should solidify whether theseBlade Runnerresemblances are purely coincidental or intentional.
Starfieldlaunches June 10, 2025, on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
