Summary
Leveling up has become a core part of not just the RPG genre but of gaming in general over the last couple of years. So many video games have adopted the system as a way to make players feel like they are achieving something along their journey. SinceStarfieldis a Bethesda RPG, it too has a version of leveling up that sees players get stronger as they go through the galaxy. However, Bethesda seems to be doing things a bit differently this time around, and that feels like a fantastic change of pace.
Usually, players have earned skill points as they level up that they can then spend on new abilities. WhileStarfieldalso gives them skill points, it actually forces players to accomplish various tasks if they want to get even stronger. They cannot unlock the next stage of a perk unless they have completed the required task, which prompts them to work harder for the power. Some of these requirements can be annoying, but most of them go a long way in giving players an even greater sense of accomplishment that future Bethesda RPGs need to replicate.
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Starfield’s Perks Are a Great Addition to the Formula
At first glance, it might not be totally clearhow leveling up works inStarfieldas Bethesda has done things a bit differently this time around. Just like with most games, players will be granted a skill point upon a level-up. These skill points can then be pumped into dozens of perks that are split up into five different categories. Each of these skills helps improve certain aspects of the player so that they can become an unstoppable sci-fi machine.
While that is all pretty standard for an RPG, Bethesda shook it up by includingperk-based challenges inStarfield. Usually, players can pump multiple skill points into perks to make them stronger. However, Bethesda made it so that players must actually complete challenges before they can unlock the next stage of a perk. The first level of each perk only costs a skill point, but every level after that forces players to work for it.
EachStarfieldperkhas an initial rank and then three higher ranks that they have to unlock via these perk-based challenges. While the idea of challenges may sound daunting, they are actually relatively easy to complete. They are all tied to that specific skill and require players to do things they likely already would do. If they want to increase their lockpicking skills then they have to pick some locks, if they want to get better at using pistols then they have to kill enemies with pistols, and if they want to hold more things then they need to sprint across the map with an almost full inventory.
Every perk-based challenge demands players to actually interact with the game’s various systems if they want to get better at said systems. It is a unique and fun addition toStarfield’score gameplay loopthat helps set it apart from other RPGs on the market. Its inclusion gives players a greater sense of accomplishment than they would have from a simple level-up, which future RPGs should take note of.
Players have grown accustomed to the classic RPG leveling systems, so it is always exciting when someone tries to shake the formula up a bit. While not every perk-based challenge is fun, they do help makeStarfield’s skill leveling systema bit more engaging. Hopefully, this is much more than a one-time thing because it would fit fantastically intoThe Elder Scrolls 6;whenever that finally hits store shelves.
Starfieldis available now for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
