Bethesda’s much-anticipated game, Starfield, has recently come under scrutiny by its player base due to a contentious feature in its stealth combat mechanics. This issue has sparked a debate among players, contrasting those who see it as a bug with those who argue it’s an intentional aspect of the game’s realism.
A significant point of contention arises from the game’s invisibility feature, which, according to a Redditor named ‘SbeveGobs 1’, causes the Aim Down Sights (ADS) crosshair to disappear during combat. This discovery has led to frustration among players, particularly those who prefer a stealth approach.
In Bethesda games, a stealth build, often augmented with camouflage armor to enhance the effect, is a popular choice. The invisibility issue, however, has impaired the effectiveness and enjoyment of this playstyle, as players find themselves unable to use their guns effectively in first-person mode.
The Realism Versus Gameplay Quality Debate
Apparently going invisible also makes ADS crosshair disappear, I had to go 3rd person every time I use the ability, how did this make it past testing?
byu/SbeveGobs inStarfield
The community is divided on whether this feature is a bug or an intentional design choice. Some players argue that the disappearing crosshair adds a layer of realism to the game, noting a similarity to mechanics in Fallout 4.
They suggest that being invisible should realistically mean a loss of certain visual aids, like the crosshair. On the other hand, a significant portion of the player base contends that quality of life in gameplay should take precedence over strict realism, emphasizing the need for internal logic and consistency in game design.
The Issue of Laser Aiming
An alternative suggested by some players is the use of lasers to counter the absence of a crosshair. However, this workaround has its own set of problems, with players reporting that lasers do not align correctly with bullet trajectories, leading to further gameplay difficulties.
The developers at Bethesda have yet to clarify whether this aspect of stealth combat is an intentional feature or a bug. The growing dissatisfaction among players indicates a strong desire for a patch or update to address this issue. The debate highlights a broader discussion in the gaming community about the balance between realism and enjoyable gameplay.
