Why you should play Starfield’s campaign before doing side quests

Bethesda games typically open with a big bang, so it’s ironic — and potentially off-putting — that the studio’s first game in literal space does not. Knowing that StarfieldEventually, the story will reach its explosive moment. You’ll just need to get through a few campaign missions first.

The intros are much shorter than the ones of Skyrim(dragon destroys a small town) Fallout 4The opening hours for (humanity incinerates Earth) StarfieldAre almost insultingly low-key. You’re cast as a space miner, and you spend time doing menial space miner things: wandering around a cave, pointing a laser at a rock, fighting off some space pirates. It’s possible that you might have aspirations to strike out alone and see what the galaxy has in store. Don’t. If anything, prioritize the campaign — at least for the first few missions.

After completing the initial two missions, you get three missions at once: “Back to Vectera,” “The Empty Nest,” and “Into the Unknown.” You can tackle them in any order, but I’d suggest going with the latter. I hit “Into the Unknown” second, and dawdled my way to it, not starting the quest until roughly 20 hours into the game. Knowing what I know now, I’d have made it my top priority to complete “Into the Unknown” as soon as I could. That’sWhen you have the chance, take a look at what StarfieldWhat is it all about?

This is when Cool Shit occurs.

[Ed. note: Spoilers follow for Starfield.]

Image: Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda Softworks

Just so we’re on the same page here: You get space superpowers. Yes! Space! Superpowers!

“Into the Unknown” tasks you with investigating a gravitational anomaly in a temple on an uncharted exoplanet. You solve a brief environmental puzzle by flying around with your jetpack (sorry, “Boost Your Efforts with a Friendpack”). Then you can create a small area of reduced gravity which will temporarily lift any enemies in the vicinity. This sets in motion a series quests that require you to find more temples and acquire new powers while avoiding a secret group who does not wish you acquire these powers.

Nearly instantly Starfield’s narrative switches from an interstellar chores list to a sweeping space opera with real backbone. This main quest suddenly gains enough intrigue that it justifies all of the star-hopping, which can get a bit tedious. And, again, Space superpowers!

Still, it’s baffling just how buried this aspect of the game is.

The following are some alternatives to the word “Advantage” Skyrim, dragons and “Fus Ro Dah” were a linchpin of the game’s marketing, so you knew going in that you should get yourself some superpowers ASAP. The game’s marketing emphasized the importance of acquiring superpowers as soon as possible. StarfieldIt’s possible to play the entire game without knowing that you can summon fireballs or levitate others with your thoughts. If a colleague hadn’t pointed me toward “Into the Unknown,” I can’t say how long I’d have put it off. (The main quest isn’t exactly compelling at first!)

If you play Starfield as so many people play Bethesda games — by going off the beaten path and getting completely distracted by the meatier side quests — you’ll miss one of the coolest parts of the game, or at least spend dozens of hours without it. And, speaking from experience, you’ll kick yourself.