Will Xbox Series S Support Starfield? Everything You Need to Know
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Yes, absolutely! The Xbox Series S fully supports Starfield. Despite being the more affordable and less powerful of the current-generation Xbox consoles, the Series S is capable of running Bethesda’s massive space RPG. This compatibility means that players looking to embark on their interstellar adventures don’t necessarily need to invest in the more expensive Xbox Series X. However, there are some key details and performance aspects that potential players should be aware of before diving in. This article will delve into the nuances of playing Starfield on the Xbox Series S and answer some crucial questions you might have.
Starfield on Xbox Series S: What to Expect
The Xbox Series S has been designed to offer the next-generation gaming experience at a more accessible price point. While it does come with certain limitations compared to its more powerful sibling, it still delivers on the promise of running current-gen games. Here’s what you can expect from Starfield on the Series S:
Performance
- Frame Rate: Starfield is locked to 30 frames-per-second (FPS) on both the Xbox Series X and the Series S. This decision was made by Bethesda to ensure the game maintains a consistent visual quality and complexity across both consoles. While some players may be disappointed by the absence of a 60 FPS mode, the locked 30 FPS is intended to provide a smooth and stable experience.
- Resolution: The Series S targets a 1440p resolution, with upscaling for 4K televisions. Some select titles can even support native 4K on the console. Starfield is optimized to take advantage of this. The console’s GPU is capable of handling the game’s complex environments, although with a slightly lower resolution than the Series X.
- Stability: Performance reviews indicate that Starfield runs well on the Series S, demonstrating Bethesda’s efforts to ensure the game performs consistently. While the game isn’t without occasional stutters, especially in dense city environments, these appear to be relatively minor. Like many Bethesda titles, occasional crashes might occur, so it’s recommended that players save frequently.
Visual Fidelity
- Graphics: The visual presentation on the Series S remains impressive, despite the lower resolution compared to the Series X. Bethesda has managed to retain the details and textures that make Starfield’s environments so engaging.
- Consistency: The core game experience, including the massive open-world environments, character models, and gameplay mechanics, is consistent across both the Series X and Series S. This means players on the Series S will not miss out on any core features and quality.
Storage Considerations
- Digital Only: The Xbox Series S is an all-digital console. This means all games must be purchased digitally, and there is no support for game discs. This is important to remember when thinking about your game library.
- Storage Space: The internal storage of the Series S is 512GB, which, after system files, is reduced further. Given Starfield’s large file size, players may need to consider deleting older titles, using external storage, or purchasing the upgraded 1TB version of the Series S.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will Starfield be 60FPS on Xbox Series S?
No, Starfield is locked at 30 FPS on both the Xbox Series X and Series S. This decision was made to maintain visual quality and ensure a consistent experience across both consoles.
Is the Xbox Series S powerful enough for Starfield?
Yes, the Series S is capable of handling Starfield. The development team has optimized the game to run smoothly on the console, ensuring that all players can enjoy the experience despite the performance differences between the Series X and S.
Will my old Xbox One games work on the Series S?
Yes, the Xbox Series S is backward compatible with most Xbox One games, along with some Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. Games can also look and perform better on Series S due to the enhanced hardware.
What are the PC specifications to run Starfield?
For PC, the minimum specs include a Windows 10 version 21H1, an AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K processor, 16GB of RAM, and an AMD Radeon RX 5700 or NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti graphics card. It also requires a 125GB SSD for installation.
Why is Starfield locked at 30 FPS?
The frame rate is capped at 30fps to retain the highest graphics and resolution possible on Xbox consoles, which allows players to engage with everything Starfield has to offer without compromising visual fidelity.
Is the Xbox Series S worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the Xbox Series S remains a great value, especially for casual gamers or as a second console. It provides access to all the current-gen games without the high price tag of the Series X and is a great way to experience Starfield.
How many games can I fit on the Series S?
The Series S has a relatively small internal storage of 512GB (which is reduced after system install) and most games are roughly between 30-50GB. So, players might only be able to fit 10 games depending on the size of each game, some games can exceed the 100GB size as well.
Can I use game discs with the Xbox Series S?
No, the Xbox Series S is a digital-only console and does not have a disc drive. You will need to buy all your games digitally.
Do I need a 4K TV to play on Xbox Series S?
No, a 4K TV isn’t required. The Series S can play 4K content and enhance gameplay with HDR and better resolutions without needing to output 4K UHD. It natively outputs at 1440p, with support for upscaling to 4K.
What are the disadvantages of the Xbox Series S?
The main disadvantages of the Series S include a weaker GPU and less RAM compared to the Series X, the lack of a disc drive, and being generally limited to 1080p/1440p resolutions.
Will Starfield have loot?
Yes, Starfield has extensive loot systems. The game includes numerous lootable items in each location, and players will constantly be collecting and sorting items, which will affect their carrying capacity.
Is the Series S considered ‘next-gen’?
Yes, the Xbox Series S is a current-generation console. It offers next-gen features like faster loading times, the ability to switch between multiple games with Quick Resume, more dynamic worlds, and frame rates up to 120 FPS.
Can I upgrade my Series S storage?
You can upgrade storage with official storage expansion cards or external USB hard drives, although the latter usually don’t support the direct playback of Series S/X optimized games. The new upgraded Series S has 1TB of storage included.
What resolution does the Xbox Series S support?
The Xbox Series S targets 1440p, but also supports upscaling to 4K. Some games are optimized to deliver native 4K.
Why is the Series S cheaper than the Series X?
The Series S is cheaper because it uses less powerful hardware (GPU, CPU, RAM) and also has a smaller hard drive. This makes it more cost-effective to produce and sell to consumers.