Starfield is an expansive choice-based space game that can no doubt keep you busy for hours on end. Between pledging your allegiance to several factions, it has almost an endless supply of missions for you to finish before becoming Starborn. However, even after all the main quests, side quests, and everything in between, there is one thing lacking from this game that we have yet to see.

Becoming a full-fledged pirate in Starfield is something many have longed for since the game was released. After a while, the game as a whole becomes very repetitive, but the piracy aspect could help to keep us interested. Between the Trackers Alliance not being fully developed and the bounty system ignoring how communication should typically function, the game quickly becomes lackluster. Adding the piracy aspect to the game might be the one thing that can save it from going completely dormant.

Starfield Is Almost A Great Space Pirate Game

All The Pirate Aspects In Starfield

You have the option to the Crimson Fleet, a known pirate faction in the Starfield realm. ing this fleet has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. For example, while you will have access to the mission board for the Fleet's side quests as well as the pirate base at The Key, you are also going to miss the option of looting Delgado's personal gear for some of the best weapons. It all depends on what you want to achieve in the game.

As with pirates of any realm, you must stay loyal to your fleet. This means that in any disputes that may arise, you must side with Crimson. Getting immersed in the pirate life, at The Key you can sell your contraband and stolen items, allowing you to make more money. You are limited in your space travel options, as you will have a target on your back if you go to UC or FSC territory. This aspect may be frustrating, but it's expected, as you are a hated pirate throughout this universe. It all depends on how immersive you want to go with the pirate life.

• Killing innocents
• Stealing goods
• Selling contraband
• Being hated throughout the star system
• Losing the respect of friends and acquaintances

Overall, you're in one of the most hated factions, looting, stealing, and selling items to make a profit. You have the of your fleet and can dive into various battles that they're involved in. You will also be hated by many who aren't of the pirate fleet, which obviously comes with the territory. To live the pirate life, you must have a pirate mindset. On the surface, it looks as if Starfield delivers a fantastic space pirate game. However, there are a few things that would need to be improved to make that true.

How Starfield Could Still Improve Space Piracy

It's The Little Details That Add Up

Obviously, when you're working as a pirate, witnesses could be your downfall. Therefore, you need to ensure all witnesses are eliminated when you're living the pirate life. Unfortunately, the Wanted System tends to ignore the way communication appears to work, punishing you even if all the witnesses are killed. The bounties for these crimes can be very pricey, costing you thousands of credits. While sometimes this bounty on your head is legit, it appears to be an issue within the game itself that needs to be fixed.

It is beyond frustrating, especially when you do everything right and are extremely careful not to leave any witnesses alive. Being punished for something you didn't do can make you lose interest quickly. It also doesn't feel as fleshed out as it could be. Adding more to stealing ships, being feared across the star systems, and having your fleet show you respect is something else that needs improvement. As you're walking around The Key, you'll hear some fellow pirates say a variation of "If you weren't in the fleet, I'd kill you myself." As you progress through this faction and, essentially, become the King of the Pirates, it would help with the immersion if everyone's respect towards you shifted.

Along these same lines, giving orders and deciding who should invade where could be another privilege you receive as the Pirate King. Currently, it doesn't seem very fleshed out; it's just basic piracy giving us a small taste of what we could have. The same goes for the Trackers Alliance faction quests that were added to the game through an update.

The focus is on bounty hunting with new quests and missions, allowing you to apprehend criminals. However, it appears to be buggy, with unnecessary transactions required to complete it. You will need to spend 9.99 to purchase a single mission for the faction that was already in the base game through a paid mod. It's not like the whole update was paid for, as you were given a taste of it through a free update and then told you needed a paid mod to continue.

Between the lack of companion interaction and the mandatory 700 credits per mission after the initial free one, adding up to 49.99, there's a lot that would need to be improved upon to give everyone a true space piracy game. While it does seem like it could be the start of something magnificent, there is a lot that needs to be altered. If the game were treated as a space pirate sandbox without the previously mentioned caveats, it could save Starfield from becoming obsolete.