Starfield’s abandoned gore and dismemberment system sure would have made it less grey

Starfield, a game that has long faded from the collective consciousness. In her review, Alice Bee (RPS in peace) described it as feeling “small, cold, and unlived in”. I shared the same sentiment. Would adding gore have changed my opinion? Probably not. However, it might have made the experience more enjoyable. A former senior artist at Bethesda revealed in an interview with Kiwi Talkz podcast (thanks VGC for the spot) that decapitations were originally planned for Starfield but were ultimately scrapped.

Dennis Mejillones, who spent nearly 12 years at Bethesda, was asked why Starfield didn’t embrace the bloodshed seen in other Bethesda games like Fallout 4. He explained that technical limitations, particularly concerning the different suits and how they would react to being cut, played a significant role in the decision. The complexities of the game’s character creator also contributed to the challenges.

Mejillones contrasted Starfield’s style with that of Fallout, noting Fallout’s humor and gore compared to Starfield’s more subdued and realistic approach inspired by The Expanse and Star Trek. The decision not to include gore was also influenced by thematic considerations and technical challenges.

While a bloodier Starfield may not have redeemed the game entirely, the addition of gore could have added some excitement. The absence of gore may have contributed to the game feeling lackluster, but it’s interesting to consider how a splash of color in the form of red streaks could have impacted the overall experience.