Starfield has been hailed as a sci-fi RPG that manages to feel grounded and realistic, despite taking place in space and featuring numerous mystical powers. The ESA already praised this title for capturing the NASA Punk aesthetic but now millennials are praising it for realistic joint pain.
One fan posted about the debuff on the game’s subreddit, with many commenters relating to the pain. It’s mostly amusing to see this feature even appear in a sci-fi RPG but that grounded element is part of the appeal.
Joint pain can be obtained when jumping from high places without proper equipment, hurting the player’s legs. When they have the joint pain debuff, it damages players for crouching, which is an all too familiar feeling for millennials.
While it’s often played up as a joke for those aging, there’s no denying that it can be a pain when bending down for the simplest things. As a writer in their 30s, this feeling can be too real, and seeing it portrayed somewhat realistically in Starfield is amusing.
Starfield's myriad debuffs also include other issues that you’re bound to encounter later in life. For example, cramping is a status effect that can hinder your progress as well as a nasty cough. And we’ve all had bouts of internal bleeding, right?
Of course, it’s not all realism and joint pain in the sci-fi RPG, as players can cure the debuff with various medical items. Plus, certain space suits can prevent this from happening in the first place, so that can be a player’s priority if need be.
The fact that players can even get joint pain in Starfield is a testament to the amount of freedom in this RPG. Knowing that there are appropriate consequences to that freedom is pretty cool and makes exploring planets much more exciting.
Consequences are a major part of the sci-fi RPG, as players can be tolled in some of the worst ways possible. If a player is jailed, they will actually get negative XP, which means they won’t be able to make any meaningful progress until the negative experience is “reached.” Your AI companions also won’t like it if you commit crimes, not unless they’re pirates themselves.
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Starfield is now available on Xbox Series and PC. Fans with a Game Pass subscription also have immediate access to the RPG.