The romance options in Starfield are not as extensive as in Baldur's Gate 3

Starfield offers players a selection of romance options, but they can't quite match what Baldur's Gate 3 offers. While the potential romantic partners in Starfield provide additional role-playing opportunities in the game, unfortunately, there are some areas where they fall short. At least players have a range of characters to choose from and the ability to leave their protagonist unattached if they wish. However, the romance in Starfield has some stumbling blocks, particularly in areas where Baldur's Gate 3 excels.

It was not a big surprise when the romance mechanic was revealed in Starfield. After all, romance has become somewhat of a trend in Bethesda RPGs. Skyrim had a large number of characters that were marriageable for the Dragonborn hero, and many of the companions in Fallout 4 were also available as romance options. Engaging in a romance with a character usually resulted in them speaking more affectionately about the protagonist, and in Skyrim, there was even the possibility of getting a house together. The fact that Starfield has followed the trend of including romantic characters suggests that this is a mechanism that can be expected in future Bethesda games.

Starfield's Romances Are Lacking Something Compared to Baldur's Gate 3

Overall, there are four characters in Starfield with whom the player can engage in a romance. They consist of the former soldier Sarah Morgan, the cultist-turned-astronomer Andreja, the cheerful explorer Barrett, and the space cowboy Sam Coe. All of them are members of the Constellation, so the player should get to know each of them throughout the game. Ironically, this ultimately becomes one of the weaknesses of the romances in Starfield, as despite their different backgrounds and personal missions, their goals end up being the same. Furthermore, while players can choose to play a cunning, ruthless character, it does not align well with the personalities of the romance options.

Even before delving into the options, Baldur's Gate 3 has an advantage when it comes to romantic characters: their diversity. There are a total of eight of them, and they are all quite different. From the cheerful tiefling barbarian Karlach to the charming human warlock Wyll, there is a suitable character for almost everyone. In a notable twist, Baldur's Gate 3 also offers some valid options for slightly more mischievous players with Astarion and Minthara, while all romance options in Starfield are morally upright individuals.

Baldur's Gate 3 has a numerical advantage and a greater variety of companions compared to Starfield, but where its romances truly shine is in the quality of the writing. While Starfield's writing style is not bad when it comes to interesting relationships, Baldur's Gate 3's romances will overshadow Starfield. The options in Starfield have their own stories, such as Barrett's lost husband and Sam's life as a single father. However, BG3 manages to fully capitalize on the potential of its unique characters by shaping their development. Perhaps the best example of this is Karlach, whose inability to touch anyone due to her infernal nature makes the scene where she and the player can finally touch incredibly powerful. While Starfield's interesting characters have decent stories, the resolutions of their stories ultimately lack significant impact.

Baldur's Gate 3, which was released shortly before Starfield, creates a contrast between the two games, and although Starfield has more recruitable companions, their romances cannot compare. It is still possible for players to find a character with whom they want to engage in a romance, and it helps that all four of them are quite competent and offer good abilities. However, the problem is that the romances ultimately are not as satisfying as they could have been. Baldur's Gate 3 has truly impressed with its romance options, while Starfield has not managed to reach the same level.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC and PS5.