Starfield Relationship Guide: Galactic Companions You Can Romance
Starfield promises several NPC romance possibilities, even though Bethesda’s history in crafting compelling love tales is not exactly noteworthy. In Skyrim, a misplaced necklace could unintentionally lead to a marriage proposal, and the most memorable partner I cherished in Fallout 4 was Dogmeat.
Nonetheless, romancing characters has become a staple in modern single-player RPGs. Thus, Todd Howard and his team are making another genuine effort. This time, they’re aiming for a more intricate romance system than the abrupt transition from allies on a quest to a wedding amidst assorted villagers, sometimes even a random vampire.
Who is romanceable in Starfield?
Starfield promises four potential romantic partners, all hailing from the central story’s Constellation exploration group.
So far, only the charismatic space pilot Sam Coe has been confirmed as a romance option, thanks to a rather cheesy but endearing line from a trailer, declaring his deep affection for the player.
Unfortunately, the robot Vasco isn’t on the list of potential love interests. Fans hopeful for a robotic romance might have to turn to modders to venture where Bethesda chose not to. Given the freedom to pursue a relationship with a bear in Baldur’s Gate 3, it feels like Bethesda could be more daring in this aspect.
That means there are still three more potential love interests to explore. Based on current information, other key members of the Constellation group include faction leader Sarah Morgan, a former soldier, and Barrett, a skilled engineer.
I’d wager that both Sarah and Barrett will be among the romantic choices. For diversity, I anticipate that the remaining romanceable character might be a woman or possibly nonbinary. Constellation boasts members like science officer Noel who could be potential candidates, though they haven’t been confirmed as main storyline companions.
Worth noting is Bethesda’s specification of four “fully-scripted” romances. This could imply the possibility of less detailed romantic interactions with other characters outside the central narrative. Only time will reveal the full extent of Starfield’s romantic ventures.
How does romance work in Starfield?
While specific mechanics about initiating or advancing a relationship remain unclear, Todd Howard has emphasized his desire to infuse more authenticity and depth into relationships compared to previous RPGs.
Personally, I’ve always been irked by how even renowned developers like BioWare often depict relationships as straightforward quests culminating in an awkward intimate scene, overlooking the intricate facets of genuine romantic bonds. Howard hinted at scenarios where choices you make might upset your partner temporarily, but reconciliation remains possible.
Whether these interactions are pre-determined or can evolve organically is still uncertain. It would undoubtedly be monotonous to traverse the galaxy with a loved one, with the sole affirmation of affection being clichéd and redundant voice lines.
