Starfield

Pokemon Go took the world by storm when it launched in 2016, revolutionizing augmented reality (AR) mobile games. Now, Bethesda is aiming to capture that same magic with their upcoming open world space RPG, Starfield. One is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game centered on exploring the real world to catch imaginary creatures, while the other is an unreleased open-world space RPG designed to let players explore a fictional universe set in 2330. Despite these apparent differences, these games share a foundational philosophy: the thrill of exploration and discovery. In this article, we'll delve into the nuances of these two games, even pointing you to the Starfield Wiki for those who want a deep dive into Bethesda's newest universe.

Gameplay

In Pokemon Go, players explore the real world around them, finding and catching Pokemon that appear on their phone screens as if they exist in the player's actual surroundings. Players can battle for control of gyms and work together to beat powerful raid bosses. According to the Starfield Wiki, Starfield will also feature open world exploration, but across over 1,000 procedurally generated planets instead of just your neighborhood. We don't know yet how interactive the worlds will be or if players will encounter AI characters.

Gameplay Mechanics

Pokémon Go is simple and straightforward. Most interactions are point-and-tap, making it accessible even for casual gamers. The mechanics may be easy to grasp, but mastering the game requires an understanding of Pokémon types, battle mechanics, and effective team compositions.

Starfield, as per its official description, will feature a more complex gameplay setup. A refined combat system will offer players a choice between long-range rifles, laser weapons, and demolitions. Unique gameplay elements like Zero G environments and boost packs aim to add complexity and depth to the combat.

Multiplayer aspects

A huge part of the appeal of Pokemon Go is the ability to play with others. You can team up with friends to catch Pokemon or take over gyms, and even strangers can join forces against powerful raid bosses. Starfield deviates here, being a single player RPG experience like Skyrim. While you may see other players in social hubs like space stations, you won't directly interact or team up.

Customization

Pokemon Go offers light customization in the form of choosing teams, styling your trainer avatar, and collecting costumes for your Pokemon. Starfield promises much deeper customization of your main character and even your own spaceship. Starfield aims to let you truly roleplay the space explorer you want to be.

Character Customization

Pokémon Go offers limited character customization, mainly focusing on outfit and appearance. Your journey is essentially built upon the Pokémon you catch, train, and evolve. The strategy here lies in team composition, Pokémon types, and movesets.

Starfield, on the other hand, promises an in-depth character customization right from the start. The official description from Bethesda mentions that players will have the freedom to choose their background and traits, effectively shaping their in-game experience. You could be an explorer, a diplomat, or a cyber runner among other possibilities.

Scope

While Pokemon Go lets you explore Earth, Starfield provides over 1,000 full planets to explore. Starfield promises to have fully realized cities, factions, characters, and landscapes across its expansive sci-fi universe. The scope far exceeds anything offered by the geo-located gameplay of Pokemon Go.

Visuals

Pokemon Go uses AR to overlay Pokemon into real world camera views. Starfield aims for photorealistic graphics across its expansive planets and space environments. Early footage shows richly detailed alien vistas that far surpass the simple visuals of mobile AR games.

In the end, the shared DNA between Pokemon Go and Starfield is exploring for the sake of discovery. While Starfield offers a whole galaxy to explore compared to Pokemon Go's planet, the joy of exploration remains at the core of both. We'll have to wait for Starfield's 2023 launch to see if it can recapture that Pokemon Go magic.

Setting and Exploration

Pokémon Go brings the popular Pokémon universe into the real world. Using AR technology, it transforms your typical surroundings into a rich landscape filled with Pokémon, PokéStops, and gyms. The core gameplay revolves around walking, exploring, and socializing with other players in real-time to catch Pokémon and engage in battles.

In contrast, Starfield takes place in the year 2330, allowing players to join Constellation, a group of space explorers. The game promises to feature over 1000 planets that players can visit, each with its own unique ecosystem, cities, and quests. The exploration is not just confined to walking or driving but extends to piloting your own customizable spaceship across the galaxy.

Community Engagement

Pokémon Go thrives on community events, social interactions, and collaborative goals. Players often gather for community days, raid battles, and special events.

Although Starfield is not released yet, the game is shaping up to be a single-player experience, albeit a very vast and expansive one. However, the focus on factions, memorable characters, and potential for multiplayer elements down the line could very well build its own unique community. The Starfield Wiki is already filling up with fan theories, lore explanations, and anticipation for the kind of experiences players can share.