Summary

  • Bethesda has offered new information on whether players can continue playing Starfield after completing the main quest, similar to its previous titles like Fallout 4 and Skyrim.
  • Starfield's post-main quest content is hinted at with the inclusion of story expansions and DLC, such as the already confirmed Shattered Space, which suggests that players may embark on a new adventure based on the outcome of the main story.

Starfield’s main story. Having an idea of what to expect ahead of time can dramatically affect the trajectory of a playthrough. Thankfully, Bethesda has provided an answer on the matter.

In the majority of Bethesda’s previous titles, many players opt to complete most of the game’s side quests before crossing the main story’s finish line. This typically has many benefits, such as helping players level up their skills and gear before taking on the final fight, which is usually challenging. Sometimes, doing side quests first is the only option for completionist playthroughs, such as in Fallout 3, which ended after the credits rolled. The ability to play afterward was added with the Broken Steel DLC. Fortunately, Starfield will avoid this issue.

Related: When Starfield Early Access Starts In Your Region

Bethesda Confirms Starfield Can Be Played After Completing The Main Quest

An astronaut standing looking at a ringed planet in Starfield.

Bethesda’s Pete Hines has confirmed that Starfield can be played after completing the main quest, as reported by GameSpot. This feature is included in many of Bethesda’s games, especially in the studio's previous single-player titles such as Fallout 4 and Skyrim. Having confirmation of this feature is good to know, nevertheless. However, a new wrinkle with Starfield may change players’ approach. Hines mentions that he began Starfield by focusing on the side quests, a traditional way to play Bethesda’s games. After encouragement to do the main quest, however, Hines discovered that Starfield really kicks into full gear when the main story is finished.

How Starfield Can Open Up After Completing The Main Quest

A Starfield character in a space suit floating in the center of a mysterious ring, which appears to be distorting the stars visible around its edges.

The new Starfield detail that the game opens up after completing the main quest could change how players approach their playthroughs. Many Bethesda fans may head into Starfield with the same mindset they had when playing Skyrim. They will probably be as shocked as Pete Hines was to learn what the game has in store after the main story.

What this content is exactly is unclear, but there is some precedent for post-main quest content in Bethesda’s previous games. In Fallout 4, for example, depending on the choices made in the playthrough, the quest "In Sheep’s Clothing" activates after completing the main story. This example isn’t as game-changing as Hines makes Starfield sound, but it’s evidence of Bethesda’s early approach to post-story content.

There are hints about what Starfield’s post-main quest may look like. It has been confirmed that the game is set to receive story expansions and DLC. The first of which is titled Shattered Space and is included in Starfield’s Edition. With Hines’ statements in mind, Shattered Space and other expansions will presumably be set after the main story's events, which seems to confirm that the player character and Constellation survive the main quest of Starfield and may embark on a new adventure based on the outcome of the main story. This has curious implications for the nature of choice, especially regarding the possibility of having multiple endings.

Sources: GameSpot, Bethesda Softworks/YouTube