Starfield, Bethesda’s highly-anticipated RPG, did not make it to the final shortlist for the Game of the Year (GOTY) at this year’s Game Awards. Interestingly, the game’s dedicated Reddit community wasn’t particularly shocked or upset by this omission. Instead, they offered a mix of understanding and critical reflection on the game’s current state.
Fans on the Starfield subreddit expressed that while they enjoy the game, they weren’t surprised by its exclusion from the GOTY shortlist. They acknowledged the strong competition this year, with titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom being among the six finalists. Some fans were more critical, pointing out that Starfield falls short in comparison to these titles, citing its “uneven” nature, “half-baked systems,” and lack of fulfilling quests. The game’s inability to deliver the basic ‘awe’ of space travel was also a point of contention.
The sentiment in the community seems to be that Starfield has potential (“great bones,” as one user put it), but the trend of cutting and streamlining mechanics in Bethesda games is diminishing the immersive experience. The shipbuilding system was noted as one of the few areas with some depth. This reaction from the community might serve as a wake-up call for Bethesda to focus on enhancing the depth and quality of their games.
As for predictions on who will win the GOTY, many in the Starfield community are rooting for Baldur’s Gate 3, with one fan even calling it a “masterpiece.” The discussion around Starfield’s absence from the GOTY shortlist reflects a broader conversation about what makes a game truly outstanding and worthy of such a prestigious award.