VASCO, a robot companion featured in the upcoming sci-fi role-playing game Starfield, has been officially revealed by Bethesda Game Studios. The ambitious intergalactic title will let players explore a vast section of space, known as the Settled Systems, as they forge their own journey across the stars. A Starfield companion robot was recently teased in a development video, and now VASCO has been officially introduced to curious fans.
Following in the footsteps of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, Bethesda’s upcoming title Starfield will immerse players in a unique new world. While the game will be set in a sci-fi universe rather than a post-apocalyptic wasteland or fantasy provinces, many systems are set to carry over. Starfield will still emphasize role-play elements and exploration, rewarding curious players who venture to new planets. A persuasion system is said to borrow from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and two rival factions mirrors Civil War storyline featuring in Skyrim. Following in the footsteps of the best Fallout 4 companion, Nick Valentine, Starfield is also set to feature a colorful cast of supporting characters.
A new Starfield development video, posted to YouTube by IGN, introduces the game’s robotic companion VASCO. Lead Artist Istvan Pely reveals that the expeditionary robot is an early lunar machine, repurposed to suit the needs of the Constellation organization. While VASCO’s purpose is peaceful and his personality is polite, the bipedal industrial robot is also useful in a fight thanks to his impenetrable chassis and selection of defensive weapons. The dependable sidekick will serve as a player’s staunch supporter throughout Starfield’s Settled Systems.
While Bethesda continues to reveal more and more about Starfield, recent leaks may have already unveiled some new mechanics. Building customization gameplay in Starfield has not yet been officially announced, but leaked screenshots seem to reveal the exciting feature. Apparently pulled from a 2017 build of the game, the screenshots show a player comparing different types of door frames and room borders. The screenshots suggest that players will be able to create their own unique base, or perhaps ship, in Starfield. Bethesda added the ability for players to intricately customize their own settlements in 2015’s Fallout 4, so it makes sense for the concept to carry into Starfield.
Bethesda’s role-playing games are known for their memorable companion characters, and Starfield looks to be following this trend with the introduction of VASCO. While handy in a firefight, the imposing mech will also serve as valuable company as players explore the vast and often lonely reaches of the Settled Systems. Starfield’s release draws closer and closer, so it seems likely that additional companion characters will be revealed in the near future.
Starfield will release on November 11, 2022 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.
