Summary

  • Starfield's new REV-8 rover adds speed and agility to exploration, cutting down on tedious walking across vast planets.
  • Players are enjoying the ability to take the vehicle to populated areas in Starfield, reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto gameplay.
  • Bethesda's inclusion of the rover in Starfield hints at potential vehicle features in future titles like Fallout 5 and Elder Scrolls 6.

The long-awaited addition of a playable vehicle to Starfield has enabled a type of fun player behavior that many associate more with the Grand Theft Auto series. The Starfield vehicle was added in the game's August 2024 update.

With the premium Starfield Shattered Space DLC expansion due in September 2024, Bethesda is working hard to drum up renewed interest in its space-based open-world RPG. Part of the plan is the August update, which added nothing less than a piloted ground vehicle to the game. Prior to the addition of the REV-8 all-terrain rover vehicle, players had to do all their exploration on foot. And with Starfield planets being extremely large, that meant a lot of walking around, moving slowly from one point of interest to another. The REV-8 cuts into that unfortunate tedium handily, with its speed and agility making exploration a breezy romp rather than an arduous slog.

Starfield Rev-8 trailer screeshot
Starfield's Rev-8 Update is the Perfect Appetizer for Shattered Space

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The REV-8 is also novel because it can be used on any planet, not just undeveloped ones. Twitter user PoweredbyidTech took advantage of that freedom to report that the ability to take the REV-8 into some of the game's population centers allows players to "go GTA," and perform violent outbursts reminiscent of the popular open-world crime series.

Player Takes Starfield Rover on a Violent GTA-Style Killing Spree

In their post, PoweredbyidTech jumps into the rover while it sits parked at the spaceport of Starfield player hub New Atlantis, and immediately begins driving into various NPC civilians, running them over and causing general mayhem. Before long, they're using the REV-8's mounted weapon in a firefight with UC Security officers, all the while amassing an impressive bounty for their crimes.

Reactions to the clip online varied. Some commenters were impressed that Bethesda chose to allow the REV-8 to be used in populated areas, including important quest locations like New Atlantis. Others were amused, observing that the New Atlantis space is simply not built to accommodate the speed and size of a playable vehicle. Vehicle-equipped games like Grand Theft Auto often incorporate roads and highways into their city designs to ensure players have enough space to drive easily. By comparison, even the biggest Starfield cities are deliberately designed for pedestrian use and exploration.

The addition of a rover to Starfield in the first place is something of a break with tradition for Bethesda, which has typically favored on-foot exploration in its open-world games (though Oblivion and Skyrim had some provisions for mounted travel). Even Fallout 4 driveable vehicles are only present thanks to player-created mods. The incorporation of vehicles into the game design of Starfield could be an encouraging sign for players who want more out of travel in future titles like Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
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

Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.
The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.

Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
Action, RPG
How Long To Beat
20 Hours
File Size Xbox Series
101 GB (September 2023)