First off, it's absolutely a Bethesda game. If you expected Skyrim/Fallout but in space (like i did) that's what this is, but with a bigger scope.

Deep and challenging skill tree (you can't just pour points into something, you have to work at it to unlock the next level) pretty deep crafting so far for weapons/equipment. I haven't gotten into the outpost building just yet, but I've heard mixed things.

Spaceship building is boundless once you have the cash and get the hang of it. Weapon drops are damn near Borderlands-ish. I've gotten some crazy guns that aren't even legendary or rare that are powerful as all get out.

I really think a lot of the criticism of the game is sorta nitpicky, but some is valid.

Nitpicky:

1. You don't "fly" your ship except in space above a planet. You really don't circumnavigate planets either. But as far as I know, Bethesda never promised us a No Man's Sky or Elite Dangerous type sim. Everyone knew going in this was first and foremost an RPG.

2. Loading screens. Yes there could be less of them, but on the latest hardware it's not bad at all.

3. It's a Bethesda game, not innovative enough. Bullshit. Same folk buy Madden, 2K and COD every year cause they know what they are getting. Bethesda knows what works for their audience.

4. The writing isn't emotional/engaging enough. Honestly, I think this just came from people who are still invested in Console WArZ and wanted to review bomb the latest hyped game. The writing is fine so far.

Valid:

1. You don't "fly" your ship except in space above a planet. For you to have a ship, there should be a little more to do in the ship. I would have loved if they had ship based missions like Star Wars Squadrons/Chorus/Everspace 2

2. Menus/Maps. Some of the navigation should be in game and not through the pause menu. Ground maps of cities are absolute garbage. They're really only there for you to be able to fast travel from point to point. If you're looking for layout, you're SOL.

3. NPC Animations. They really haven't come that far from FO 4. They are a little better in terms of the framing and using different angles, but most of the time your are looking straight on at someone like you're in a Wes Anderson film and most npc's still have that "hey i'm animated but still somehow dead inside" look on their face. Even when the voice acting is really good for the dialog.



None of these things concern me that much as if you look at Bethesda's track record, this game will be updated and expanded. And like FO4 and Skyrim, i'm sure they will have an update dedicated solely to crafting/base building. Which is exciting, cause the base game has SO much exploration, content, combat, mystery, crafting, building to do. It's a joy to play if you're an RPG player.

I landed on a random moon the other day and stumbled upon a huuuuuge base loaded with loot, enemies and other mysteries to unravel. And that was a rando base. Not even part of a main quest. This thing is gonna be fun to ramble around for months.
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"To Each His Reach"

but.....

Fuck aliens.