How Many Hours Can You Play Starfield? A Deep Dive into Bethesda’s Space Epic

The simple answer: You can play Starfield for anywhere between 12 hours and virtually infinity. The actual playtime depends entirely on your play style and what you aim to achieve in the vast expanse of this spacefaring RPG. Speedrunners can blaze through the main story in under 3 hours, while completionists could easily sink hundreds, even thousands, of hours exploring every nook and cranny of its procedurally generated universe. It’s all about how deep you want to go into the cosmos.

Understanding Starfield’s Playtime Variability

Bethesda games are renowned for their expansive open worlds and emergent gameplay, and Starfield is no exception. Unlike linear games with a definitive endpoint, Starfield offers a multitude of paths and activities that directly influence your playtime. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:

• Main Story Focus: If your sole objective is to experience the main questline, you can expect to invest approximately 30-40 hours. However, some have managed to complete it much faster by skipping dialogue and focusing on the critical path.

• Side Quests and Exploration: This is where Starfield truly shines, and where the playtime explodes. Hundreds of side quests, faction storylines, and random encounters are scattered across the galaxy. If you enjoy exploring planets, completing these quests, and discovering hidden locations, you can easily spend 60 hours or more.

• 100% Completion: For the dedicated gamer seeking to experience everything Starfield has to offer, reaching 100% completion is a monumental task. This involves completing every quest, discovering every location, maxing out skills, and collecting every item. This endeavor can take upwards of 149 hours, and often much longer, depending on your efficiency.

• New Game Plus (NG+): Starfield features a New Game Plus mode that allows you to replay the game with new story elements and permutations. This adds significant replayability and extends the potential playtime indefinitely. Each NG+ run can take dozens of hours, essentially offering a completely fresh experience within the same universe.

• Building and Customization: Starfield allows you to build outposts, customize your ships, and craft items. This aspect of the game can be very time-consuming, especially if you’re a perfectionist. Building a sprawling outpost network or designing the ultimate starship can add countless hours to your playtime.

• Infinite Leveling System: There is no level cap in Starfield, allowing players to continuously level up and improve their skills. This encourages ongoing gameplay and provides a constant sense of progression, even after completing the main story and side quests.

In short, estimating playtime for Starfield is highly subjective and depends on your individual play style and goals. Whether you are a speedrunner, a casual explorer, or a completionist, Starfield offers a unique experience for everyone.

Related FAQs: Your Burning Starfield Questions Answered

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the playtime and various aspects of Starfield, providing a comprehensive overview of what you can expect from this massive RPG.

1. What is the Time Limit for Quests in Starfield?

Most quests in Starfield do not have a strict time limit. However, certain timed quests may present a challenge. One such quest starts with a time limit of five days (UT), offering ample opportunity for further exploration or excursions. Sleeping on your ship or elsewhere can accelerate the passage of time if needed.

2. Is Starfield Really That Good? How Many Hours Do People Actually Play?

The reception to Starfield has been mixed, with some praising its vastness and freedom, while others criticize its shallowness and repetitive gameplay. However, many players have reported sinking 300+ hours into the game, indicating its addictive nature and potential for long-term engagement. Ultimately, whether Starfield is “good” is a matter of personal preference.

3. Will Starfield Really Have 1,000 Planets? How Many Contain Life?

Yes, Starfield boasts over 1,000 planets to explore, offering a sense of scale and discovery unmatched in many other RPGs. Approximately 10% of these planets contain life, along with quests and valuable raw materials. The vast majority of the planets will be barren wastelands that you can mine for resources, but may not be a good place to spend a lot of time.

4. Is Starfield Bigger Than No Man’s Sky?

While Starfield features a vast universe, it is not as expansive as No Man’s Sky. The latter contains an astounding 18 quintillion planets, dwarfing Starfield’s 1,000. However, Starfield’s planets are generally more detailed and handcrafted, offering a richer and more curated experience than the procedurally generated worlds of No Man’s Sky.

5. Will Starfield Be as Long as Skyrim?

While Starfield’s story quality is likely on par with Skyrim’s, its initial length may not be as extensive. Bethesda has stated that Starfield’s main story quest will take players around 30-40 hours to complete, which is comparable to Skyrim. However, with the addition of side quests, exploration, and NG+, Starfield has the potential for far more hours of gameplay than Skyrim.

6. What is the Maximum Level Cap in Starfield?

There is no level cap in Starfield. The game features an infinite leveling system, allowing you to continuously improve your skills and abilities.

7. Can You Fly on Planets in Starfield?

While Starfield technically allows you to manually fly to planets, the experience is not as seamless or engaging as many players hoped. Much of the game’s space exploration revolves around fast travel, both to different solar systems and to the surface of planets.

8. Can You Romance in Starfield? How Many Romantic Partners Can You Have?

Yes, Starfield features a romance system. You can develop romantic relationships with four companions in the game, but you can only have one romantic relationship at a time.

9. How Many Endings Does Starfield Have?

Starfield does not have multiple distinct endings. However, the decisions you make throughout your journey play a key role in the final act, shaping the narrative and your character’s legacy. The ending is more of a culmination of your choices rather than a branching path.

10. Has Anybody Beat Starfield Yet? How Fast?

Yes, speedrunners have already completed Starfield. One YouTuber, Micrologist, posted a run that clocked in at just under three hours. This demonstrates the possibility of completing the game quickly if you focus solely on the main story and optimize your gameplay.

11. What Happens if You Beat Starfield Twice?

Starfield’s New Game Plus allows you to loop the game over and over. Each time you beat the game and start a new run, you’ll encounter new story permutations, dialogue options, and even new main missions. This adds significant replayability and encourages experimentation with different choices and play styles.

12. How Big is the Map in Starfield?

Starfield is not infinite, but it is monumentally enormous. It boasts more than 1000 planets and moons spread out across hundreds of star systems. Each planet offers explorable areas, including cities, space stations, caves, and facilities.

13. How Many Ships Can I Have in Starfield?

In Starfield, you can own up to ten ships at once. Once you reach this limit, you’ll need to sell one of your current vessels to acquire a new one.

14. Are There Only 4 Cities in Starfield? What are the major ones?

Starfield has four major cities: New Atlantis, Akila, Neon, and The Key. The Key is a space station run by the Crimson Fleet, serving as their headquarters.

15. Can You Max All Skills in Starfield?

Yes, you can max out every skill in Starfield. The lack of a level cap allows you to become the most powerful spacefarer imaginable.

Starfield: A Galaxy of Possibilities

Starfield is a game that rewards exploration, experimentation, and player agency. Its expansive universe, diverse quests, and endless possibilities ensure that no two playthroughs are exactly alike. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG veteran or a newcomer to the genre, Starfield offers a compelling and immersive experience that can keep you engaged for hundreds of hours. So, buckle up, chart your course, and prepare to lose yourself in the vast and wondrous galaxy of Starfield!

For more insights on gaming and learning, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Understanding the educational and social impact of games enhances the overall gaming experience.