Starfield: Bethesda's Epic Return After 25 Years

Politics, News Sept. 11, 2023, 5:48 a.m.

Bethesdas 25-year hiatus ends with the release of Starfield, a sci-fi epic featuring over 1,000 planets. Grav jumping enables long-range space travel, with improved drives expanding exploration possibilities. Now available on PC and Xbox Series X|S.

After a lengthy 25-year hiatus, Bethesda finally quenched the thirst of their dedicated fan base by unveiling their highly anticipated sci-fi masterpiece, Starfield. This ambitious title promised to dwarf anything the renowned game developer had previously created, boasting an impressive array of over 1,000 planets for eager players to explore. In terms of sheer scale, Starfield overshadowed even Bethesda's iconic franchises, Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

The magnitude of content within Starfield demands efficient means of interstellar travel, and this is precisely where the game's gravity jump, or grav jump, mechanism comes into play. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the mechanics of grav jumping and provide essential insights into navigating the vast expanse of space.

To embark on their cosmic odyssey across the myriad star systems in Starfield, players must first consult the galaxy map. This invaluable tool resides within the pause menu, accessible by selecting the top-left section displaying the current planet. From there, players can access an overview of their current planet, with the option to zoom out to reveal the complete star system map.

Grav jumping is a straightforward process: players merely select their desired star system, which subsequently offers the option to choose the planet they wish to visit and set their course accordingly. However, it's important to note that grav jumps can only be initiated to star systems denoted as white dots on the map. Star systems marked as red dots remain inaccessible, either due to excessive distance for the ship's fuel capacity or the necessity to explore and unlock intermediary star systems on the route. Once the star system and planet have been designated, and the course set, players can exit the menu and prepare their ship for the jump.

Given that a ship's energy reserves must be allocated strategically for the impending jump, players should ensure that the power distribution within their ship prioritizes the grav jump. On the pilot's dashboard, slots are allocated for the ship's three types of weapons (Lazer, Ballistic, and Missile), as well as the ship's engine, shield, and grav jump. While it's feasible to execute a grav jump with minimal power allocated to the grav jump component, optimizing the power allocation maximizes the jump's efficiency.

It's noteworthy that a ship's grav drive can be enhanced to achieve superior performance, as detailed in our comprehensive guide. With an upgraded grav drive, players gain the ability to traverse greater distances without the necessity of pit stops in other star systems along the way. Equipped with an improved drive and a more capacious fuel tank, the once-distant star systems at the fringes of the galaxy suddenly become more attainable.

Starfield is now available on both PC and Xbox Series X|S platforms, offering players the opportunity to embark on an epic interstellar adventure. As Bethesda's triumphant return to the world of gaming, Starfield delivers an expansive and immersive experience that promises to captivate gamers for years to come.