As Bethesda's most recent release, Starfield brings many of the developer's well-known traits into a sprawling sci-fi setting. Putting space exploration front and center, Starfield boasts a large variety of planets to discover. With each new planet visited, the tapestry of the galaxy is further unfolded, and the Porrima system holds a planet with a lot of promise.

The system is home to the planet Porrima III, with its main attraction being the Red Mile casino and hotel. Although there isn't any official gambling to partake in at the casino, the Red Mile challenge is a hazardous side quest that can reap a handsome reward. This casino may have yet to meet its full potential, but if future updates expand upon the area, it could rival the likes of Bethesda-published Fallout: New Vegas. Gambling in New Vegas brought an extra level of immersion, and the Red Mile has just as much potential.

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Starfield's Red Mile Casino is a Goldmine For Mini-Games

Embracing the Location's Reputation

The Red Mile wasn't always a desirable place to visit. For a long time, the place was a hub for smugglers, pirates, and other various criminals to meet. However, after Mei Devine gained control and restored order with the help of hired Ecliptic mercenaries, the casino eventually became a desirable tourist attraction. The Red Mile is a great place to experience the seedier side of Starfield, but it would be an even more effective location if its casino setting was explored further.

The harrowing blood sport of the Red Mile race is just scratching the surface of what could be possible at the casino. From card games to betting on other NPCs attempting the Red Mile race, Starfield would likely benefit from making this location a bigger focal point for extra content. After the recent Shattered Space DLC, there are likely more expansions on the horizon, and the Red Mile would be a strong place to start.

The Porrima system is free from the laws of both the Freestar Collective and the United Colonies.

Shattered Space Opens the Door For Expanding Existing Locations

One of the biggest mysteries of the base version of Starfield revolved around the secretive House Va'ruun. Now that this faction has been covered, Starfield now has more freedom to build upon in-game locations that have been there from the beginning. When it comes to certain criticisms of Starfield, one of the most common happens to be lack of content. Post-launch updates can fix this, of course, but focusing on specific locations at a time could prove to be a more effective way of doing so.

The Red Mile as Starfield's Own Little Slice of New Vegas

A Hub For Those Looking For a Specific Role-Playing Experience

For players who are more interested in making their character follow a sketchier path, crafting the Red Mile into a full-blown casino space would be exciting. Not only could players gamble, but it could offer the opportunity to have fun with the concept of getting into bar fights or trying to cheat the house. Due to its setting, making gambling in New Vegas a really interactive experience was a given, but applying this method to Starfield could be a great change of pace for the game's tone.

If players win enough in New Vegas, casinos will ban one's character.

Starfield still has plenty of room to grow beyond its launch version. Although future DLC can bring extra storylines to the game, consistent location-based updates can also help Bethesda's sci-fi world evolve into a stronger RPG experience. As of now, it's unclear what the future of Starfield holds. When it comes to locations like the Red Mile, though, Bethesda is sitting on a deep well of untapped resources.

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Starfield Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

Starfield
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Action
RPG
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Systems
PC-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
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Released
September 6, 2023
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
Engine
proprietary engine
Cross-Platform Play
no multiplayer
Cross Save
no
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
Action, RPG
How Long To Beat
20 Hours
X|S Optimized
Yes
File Size Xbox Series
101 GB (September 2023)
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty