2 days before launch, Starfield has already been beaten in under 3 hours

Starfield
(Image credit: Bethesda)

With a massive array of planets to explore and systems designed to offer hundreds of hours of space-based role-playing goodness, it will likely be a long time before many of us reach the credits in Starfield, but that's certainly not the case for one player who managed to complete the game in just a few hours.

As spotted by VG247, speedrunner Micrologist has managed to blast their way through Bethesda's epic new RPG in only 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 42 seconds. A video posted on YouTube shows them pulling off this miraculous feat.

As the footage shows, Micrologist displays an impressive level of knowledge of Starfield's design and missions as they move swiftly and surely from one objective to the next, ignoring anything that isn't tied to progression and making some speedy choices when it comes to conversing with NPCs. 

Of course, if you're just getting to grips with Starfield and don't want anything spoiled, you might want to give the video a miss for now and check it out once you've crossed the finish line yourself.

It's still early days for Starfield; in fact, it's not even officially out until later this week on September 6, and for players to reach the end in under three hours is just incredible. No doubt, as fans get more familiar with the game and discover more time-saving tricks, we'll see even faster finishes. 

While earning a speedrun record in Starfield is certainly an admirable accomplishment, taking your time also has its merits, as it allows you to not only savor the experience but also enjoy all the delightful little Easter eggs Bethesda has added, including a nod to Skyrim's most infamous line and a joke about The Elder Scrolls 6.

Check out our Starfield review for our verdict on Bethesda's long-awaited space-faring RPG. 

Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and 12DOVE. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.

Read more
Kay Vess and Nix share a meal on Tatooine in Star Wars Outlaws
How long is Star Wars Outlaws?
Avowed screenshot showing two companions assisting in combat
How long is Avowed?
A screenshot of Elden Ring boss Godfrey, the first Elden Lord
Elden Ring player becomes the first to beat every New Game+ difficulty back to back without getting hit, in an 8-playthrough run that somehow took under 12 hours
Fallout: New Vegas
This AGDQ icon hilariously speed-dated their way across Fallout: New Vegas, romanced all 12 characters, and still beat the RPG in 40 minutes
Starfield
10 best games like Starfield to get swept up in when you're ready to leave Constellation
Starfield space combat, with a distant vessel exploding
Former Starfield dev says the space RPG "could have existed without those" surplus loading screens, with many added after he left production
Latest in RPG
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot of a boss turned to gold surrounded by blood
5,000 gold, 2,500 hours, and one priceless scroll: Baldur's Gate 3 player cooks up a "Midas run" by turning the RPG's bosses into solid gold trophies, because "why not"
Stardew Valley Baldur's Gate 3 mod Baldur's Village
Stardew Valley player bringing a bit of Baldur's Gate 3 to ConcernedApe's farming sim, now with Larian's seal of approval, says they've played over 1,500 hours and will improve the mod
Avowed screenshot showing two companions assisting in combat
Avowed director says Xbox and Microsoft are "very happy" with the reception to its new Obsidian RPG
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Horses
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has another secret skill, and this one is an absolute game changer - looking down makes you duck under branches while riding your horse
Latest in News
Stamp PSP
A 16-year-old pitch for a newly discovered first-party PSP game has me mourning the death of PlayStation's Japan Studio all over again
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"
Claymore
Over 20 years later, live-action adaptation of beloved Claymore manga and anime in development by Heroes star
Web of Venomverse: Fresh Brains #1
Meet the Venomouse, an all new Eddie Brock, and more in Web of Venomverse: Fresh Brains #1
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot of a boss turned to gold surrounded by blood
5,000 gold, 2,500 hours, and one priceless scroll: Baldur's Gate 3 player cooks up a "Midas run" by turning the RPG's bosses into solid gold trophies, because "why not"