Starfield’s robot Vasco could be the antidote to Skyrim’s dull companions

Continuing its drip-feed of Starfield information, Bethesda has released a behind-the-scenes video showing off a robot called Vasco. 

This bipedal bot seems to be a companion character of sorts for Starfield players as they explore the sci-fi worlds beyond humanity’s solar system. And I’m hoping he’ll be a panacea to the rather dull and two-dimensional company characters in the otherwise-brilliant The Elder Scrolls Skyrim. (Looking at you, Lydia, and your low-key sass at being asked to carry items.)

At first glance Vasco looks like an intimidating robot, akin to something you might see in Aliens or The Expanse. But Starfield’s lead artist Istvan Pely describes the robot as a primarily “peaceful” machine, whom players will see as a “reliable companion.” Having said that, Vasco can apparently defend itself, so expect the bot to kick some extra-terrestrial ass if needed.

Vasco is also described as a “utilitarian, heavy industrial machine well-suited to the rigours of space travel,” which would suggest that it’s more of a handy machine for dealing with heavy objects than a robot with a C-3PO or R2-D2 level of personality. Then again, Pely said that Vasco has become one of the Starfield development team’s “favorite companions in the game.” To me, that suggests there’s more to the robot than meets the eye.