Starfieldis Bethesda’s first new IP in a long time, providing plenty of opportunities to innovate on some elements of past franchises – melee weapons, for instance. The intergalactic setting allows for more melee options, especially when compared to past titles inThe Elder ScrollsorFalloutseries. Such innovations could make for more enjoyable combat and overall more interesting gameplay.
In this case, it’s worth looking back at the melee combat in Bethesda’s existing series, then asking whatStarfieldmight improve on those past systems. Even though the IPs differ in setting and context, there are a couple of ideas that Bethesda could improve and integrate into its new game.
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Melee in The Elder Scrolls Games
The Elder Scrollsgames,particularlyOblivionandSkyrim, have gotten their fair share of criticism in terms of melee combat. For one, there isn’t a lot of variety when it comes to weapon types. Whatever melee weapon the player chooses, it simply boils down to hacking and slashing either one-handedly or two-handedly. There isn’t much more to it than that, unfortunately. For instance, choosing between a one-handed sword and a mace doesn’t really change much of the melee combat, aside from slight differences in the speed of swinging.Morrowindgets criticism too, but its system for tracking hits is distinct from the two newer titles.
This admittedly watered-down system of melee takes tends to take away from the combat experience. While one could argue thatOblivionandSkyrimwere made for players to focus more on exploration and role-playing, that doesn’t change the fact that the melee is decidedly lackluster. That said,Starfieldcould remedy this issue by providing not just a variety of weapon types, but a variety of melee combat styles. This means innovating weapon attack patterns that go beyond simply hacking and slashing – something that thenewerFalloutgames have started on.
Melee in Fallout Games
Melee combat inFallout 3,4, andNew Vegasis more diversecompared to that inThe Elder Scrollsseries. This is primarily because the different types of melee weapons in theFalloutseries also allow for different attack patterns. While there are the usual swords, daggers, and blunt weapons,Falloutalso has items like the Ripper or the Power Fist that players don’t simply swing at the enemy. As a result, players have far more options for their characters’ melee builds.
That said, this variety is something thatStarfieldcould improve oneven more. After all, there are still a few gaps in melee weapons thatFalloutleft out on. For instance, there’s a whole slew of laser and plasma-based guns in the game. However, this technology doesn’t have any counterparts among the melee weapons, which is arguably a missed opportunity.
Admittedly,theFalloutuniverse is limitedby its setting. In a post-apocalyptic world, it likely isn’t easy to come across advanced melee weapons (despite there being many advanced ranged weapons).Starfield, however, isn’t held back by the same context. Its cross-planetary setting allows Bethesda to innovate not only the game’s melee weapons, but the rest of the combat items available to the player.
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Innovating Melee Weapons in Starfield
Taking into account Bethesda’s past IPs,Starfieldcan do two things to improve its melee weapons. First, it should provide a variety of combat styles, not limiting itself to the characteristichack-and-slash gameplay ofSkyrim. This entails creating new weapons with different mechanics. There will be one-handed and two-handed weapons, as usual. However, instead of all bladed weapons,Starfieldcould implement more weapon types, like polearms, whips, and flails.
The game could also borrow theFalloutgames’ chainsaw-like weapons and special attachments. This would allow for even more variety, adding unique effects to each weapon. For example, an electrocuted whip that has a chance of paralyzing enemies for a couple of seconds would be fun to use. Laser swords and daggers could also be an interesting addition to the list of potential melee weapons.
Shields are also anuntapped resource in bothThe Elder ScrollsandFallout. In the technologically advanced world ofStarfield, players could easily come across shields that can release a strong shockwave, knocking enemies back and off their feet. Bethesda could draw inspiration from the shields ofSkyrimand the special enchantments that make them better defensive (or offensive) items.
Lastly, it’s worth including gag weapons, much like the equippable fork and spoon inSkyrim. Though they don’t necessarily make the combat any better, the option to fool around with them provides good fun for players. And, of course, it adds to thatweapon variety thatStarfieldwould very much benefit from.
Rethinking Melee Combat Mechanics in Starfield
Aside from adding more melee weapons with different attack styles toStarfield, the developer should also emphasize other combat actions, like dodging and parrying. Doing so will make for a more dynamic combat experience for players that opt to focus on a melee build. This is something that’s somewhat present inOblivionbut was removed inSkyrim.
InOblivion, the gameplay encouraged players to block, dodge, and parry. So, even though theolderElder Scrollsgamehad fewer weapon types thanSkyrim, the melee combat was more interesting. Granted, it wasn’t perfect. Dodging and power attacks were still a bit awkward and clunky. However, inSkyrim, this system was barely noticeable. Players simply tapped the attack button with an occasional power attack or two mixed in.
This issomethingStarfieldshould bring backbecause the watered-down melee combat gameplay takes away from the overall experience. It makes hostile encounters for melee players monotonous at best and lackluster at worst. So, it’s not enough to think of new melee weapons. To truly innovate withStarfield’s melee combat, the developer needs to rethink its underlying mechanics. This is no small task, especially considering thatStarfieldwill likely focus on gunplay. However, implementing such changes would definitely improve the overall combat experience in Bethesda’s newest IP.
