Starfield: Character Creation
Before you venture into the cosmos in search of mysteries and thrill, you’ll be sculpting your Starfarer avatar through the Starfield character customization interface. Devotees of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series may find several familiar features, but let’s delve into each customization component to get you started swiftly.
However, if you’re eager to explore Starfield’s diverse locales or set up your base, fret not! You have the flexibility to modify your look later by stopping by a genetics center.
Biometric ID
The initial segment you’ll encounter on the Starfield character creation screen is the Biometric ID, which features a singular choice: the Personnel Record.
As revealed during the Starfield presentation, this option allows you to select from 40 predefined avatars as the foundation for your character.
Subsequently, you can delve deeper into customization via the Body and Face tabs. However, if you’re keen on diving straight into the gameplay, simply pick a preset from the Biometric ID section and advance to the Background and Traits sections.
Rest assured, if you opt to bypass the character customization initially, a genetics center later in the game grants you the opportunity to adjust your appearance.
Body
The subsequent section in the character creation menu provides a radial selection tool for defining your body type as ‘Muscular’, ‘Thin’, or ‘Heavy’. Additionally, you can select a body form (possibly male or female), choose a preferred walking style, and determine your skin shade.
Face
From the glimpses we’ve had, it’s evident that Starfield’s face customization will be extensive, much like in other Bethesda Game Studios titles.
The ‘Face’ category boasts a plethora of adjustment sliders and sections. The ones we’ve observed so far include:
- Skin tone
- Head shapes
- Hair types and colors
- Facial hair styles and shades
- Eye shapes and hues
- Chin and neck structures
- Various jewelry and their color adjustments
- Dermatological aesthetics
- Skin complexion temperature
- Skin imperfections and blemishes
- Visible scars
- Two separate sets of facial structures
- A range of tattoos
Many of these settings, like skin tone and hair types, are reminiscent of customization options in Skyrim and Fallout. However, Starfield’s modding community will undoubtedly enrich these choices further upon getting access to the game.
The addition of scars, the two sets of facial structures, and a diverse tattoo palette allows players to sculpt a truly distinct Spacefarer. One particular tattoo design we noted carries a digital aesthetic, accentuating Starfield’s forward-thinking narrative.
While the multitude of choices can seem overwhelming, players can always bypass intricate customization and later revisit their character’s design at a genetics facility.
Kudos to Bethesda; their character models have truly reached a pinnacle of realism. As per Bethesda’s Lead Tech Artist, Felipe Nogueira, Starfield showcases their most “detailed and varied characters” to date. This realism was achieved by scanning faces across varied age brackets and ethnic backgrounds. These scans were then combined in various ways, resulting in an extensive repository of lifelike characters.
Background
The “Background” option is a pivotal choice in the character creation menu, presenting a plethora of possibilities. It allows you to decide the profession your character pursued before joining Argos Extractors as a miner. Whether you select a background based on its narrative description (maybe your character resembles a former chef) or for the skill benefits it offers, each choice has its significance.
Every profession endows you with three initial-level skills and will influence future dialogue choices and interactions with NPCs. To make an informed decision, refer to our comprehensive Starfield background guide, which details the 20 backgrounds we’ve encountered thus far.
Traits
Interested in adding a unique twist to your gameplay? Fans of Fallout: New Vegas will be thrilled to see the reintroduction of traits. These traits are entirely optional; you’re free to skip them if you prefer a straightforward journey. However, picking one or two can add interesting dynamics to your game.
Every trait offers an advantage but not without a corresponding drawback. Some effects can be quite severe. Take the Kid Stuff trait, for instance, which skims 10% off all your earned credits and sends them straight to your parents! But there’s a silver lining – you can visit them as you journey through the Settled Systems.
Other traits might have milder effects, adding a touch of nuance to your game. They could influence how NPCs perceive you, as seen with the Introvert trait, or could even associate you with some of Starfield’s factions. For example, by choosing to venerate The Great Serpent, you might find an unexpected ally in the House of Va’ruun when faced with their zealous followers.
To fully understand the implications of each trait and make an informed choice, delve into our comprehensive guide on Starfield traits. It will help you shape your Spacefarer’s destiny.
Further Starfield character customization
Having selected your body type, facial features, background, and traits, it’s time to delve into the specifics of your journey. You might be pondering which Starfield skills and weapons to prioritize during your playthrough. Alternatively, you might be eager to preview the available Starfield armor sets to get a jump on your character’s look.
Loading...
