Following the already impressive Xbox Showcase, where we got closer looks at Fable, Avowed, and more, we got a gameplay deep dive on Bethesda's epic space RPG Starfield which is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 6, 2023. From planetary exploration to building your own ship and colonies to deep RPG character customisation the scope here is next level. And it looks amazing too. All 45 minutes of it.

From the team behind Oblivion, Skyrim, and Fallout, expectations were running high but this is truly next-level stuff. The sheer amount of detail and things you can do in a fully explorable galaxy is mind-blowing. Ship dogfighting, becoming a pirate and boarding other craft, visiting giant spaceports, building a fleet, a crew, and engaging in a deep single-player narrative with plenty of discovery. Even the hand-to-hand combat looks slick and smooth, thanks to planetary conditions and things like boost/jet packs.

There's a lot, so strap in and prepare to be blown away. Everything we see here is complete too, as the game is out in a few months.

Starfield is the first new universe in over 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 your character and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.

In the year 2330, humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. You will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of space in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.

Along the way you will join in the adventures of various factions; pilot and customise your own ship; explore planets and discover their local flora, fauna, and resources; build outposts; and master a refined combat system to deal with threats of all kinds.

Even though the Xbox Series X|S versions are confirmed as being locked to a 30fps presentation, even that would make it Bethesda's smoothest console RPG release to date. But even so, we don't think there's been a modern "open-world" RPG ever created with this level of scope, detail, and possibilities. Over 1,000 planets to explore - the mind boggles.