Bethesda has officially stated that players will have the opportunity to continue playing Starfield even after they have completed the main storyline. This approach is consistent with their past titles such as Fallout 4 and Skyrim. Pete Hines, a representative from Bethesda, initially emphasized the importance of engaging in side quests within Starfield. However, he later realized that the true essence of the game unfolds after the main narrative is concluded.
The notion of exploring content beyond the main storyline in Starfield is hinted at through various means, including story expansions and downloadable content (DLC). An example of this is the confirmed expansion named Shattered Space. This suggests that players might be able to undertake fresh adventures that stem from the outcome of the central storyline. Given that Starfield is being hailed as one of Bethesda’s largest games to date, it’s only natural that players may be curious about the prospects of post-main quest gameplay. The game is anticipated to offer a plethora of content, potentially spanning hundreds of hours in a single playthrough. Consequently, players may wonder whether it’s best to tackle side quests prior to completing the main story or afterward. Having insight into what lies ahead can significantly influence how a playthrough unfolds. Bethesda has indeed addressed this concern.
In many of Bethesda’s previous titles, players commonly opt to tackle a significant portion of the game’s side quests before wrapping up the main storyline. This strategy offers several advantages, including skill and gear enhancement in preparation for the final, often challenging, confrontation. In certain instances, completing side quests before the main story’s conclusion is the only viable option, as seen in Fallout 3, which concluded the game after the credits rolled. The possibility of post-story gameplay was introduced with the Broken Steel DLC. Fortunately, Starfield deviates from this pattern.
Pete Hines from Bethesda has confirmed that players can continue their journey in Starfield after successfully completing the main quest, as reported by GameSpot. While this feature is consistent with many of Bethesda’s games, including previous single-player titles such as Fallout 4 and Skyrim, having explicit confirmation is reassuring. Interestingly, Starfield introduces a new dynamic that could change players’ strategies. Hines mentioned that he initially focused on side quests during his own Starfield experience, a conventional approach to Bethesda’s games. However, he discovered that the game truly flourishes once the central storyline concludes.
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The revelation that Starfield offers expanded content post-main quest has the potential to reshape how players approach their gameplay. Fans of Bethesda’s games might approach Starfield with the same mindset they had while playing Skyrim, and they could be just as surprised as Pete Hines was by what unfolds after the main story wraps up.
While the specifics of this additional content remain unclear, there are indications of a precedent in Bethesda’s previous games. For instance, in Fallout 4, the quest “In Sheep’s Clothing” becomes available based on choices made in the playthrough, following the completion of the main story. Although this example doesn’t carry the same transformative impact as Hines suggests for Starfield, it demonstrates Bethesda’s early experimentation with post-story content.
Clues regarding the nature of Starfield’s post-main quest content are present. Confirmed plans for story expansions and DLC indicate that players can look forward to additional narratives. The initial expansion, named Shattered Space, is included in the Premium Edition of Starfield. Considering Hines’ insights, it’s plausible that Shattered Space and other expansions will unfold after the main storyline’s events. This, in turn, suggests that the player character and Constellation—central to Starfield’s narrative—survive the main quest and embark on a new journey shaped by its outcome. Such a development carries intriguing implications for player choice, particularly in relation to multiple possible endings.
