Starfield isn’t even fully out yet, and it’s already the biggest and most divisive title in a while. While some excellent video game outlets are awarding it perfect scores, some others are giving it the worst possible score in the history of game reviews — the dreaded 7/10. In an attempt to alleviate the tension, I will now talk about a naturally wholesome and non-disruptive element present in the game — religion.
What are the religions in Starfield?
Starfield takes place either in our universe at a point in time after the vanishing of all of our current religions, or in a parallel one where they have never existed. There are three main religions in Starfield, each with a particular set of perks and drawbacks. You can join any of them at the start of the game. You can also leave them whenever you want but remember that you cannot switch between religions.
The Enlightened
The first religion in Starfield isn’t a religion at all. The Enlightened is an organization of atheists who don’t believe in a higher power. They believe in humanity and in helping each other out to achieve the greater good. They work together in a network of planets across the settled systems to share their teachings and inspire communal help. You can be a member of the Enlightened from the very start of the game if you pick the Raised Enlightened trait when creating your character.
Being a member of the Enlightened will give you access to the Enlightened store and prevent you from accessing the Sanctum Universal’s store.
Sanctum Universum
This is the biggest religion in the Starfield universe. The “Universals” believe in a higher power, but with a twist. They believe in furthering technological advancements in the search for said higher power. They believe in a specific God and that he’s tasked humanity to find him in a universe-spanning game of hide and seek.
The Sanctum Universum folk don’t see eye to eye with the Enlightened, so being a member of the Sanctum Universum will prevent you from having access to the Enlightened’s store. If you are only in it for the money, I recommend you go with the Sanctum Universum as it provides better deals than the Enlightened store.
Other than that, being a member of either the Enlightened or the Universals will earn you a chest. The contents aren’t great, though the Enlightened’s chest will give you a cool space poncho (a sponcho, I guess), so be very mindful of that.
Want to be a member of the Sanctum Universum from the start of the game? Then pick the Raised Universal trait when creating your character.
House Va’ruun
This is the wildest of the bunch. House Va’ruun began when its founding member went through one too many grav jumps and supposedly came in contact with what he calls “The Great Serpent.” This serpent invited him to join it or be devoured when the creature encircles the universe. That is the proposal that he extends to all the potential members of House Va’ruun.
This is obviously a reference to wacky cults, but House Va’ruun actually gives you some interesting-ly weird perks, like getting stronger whenever you perform a grav jump, so one should perhaps not discard it altogether.
Another perk of belonging to House Va’ruun is that of extra safety, as the acolytes of Va’ruun don’t always take it kindly to the presence of nonbelievers.
You can become a member of House Va’ruun from the start of the game by selecting the Serpent’s Embrace trait when creating your character.
You can quit
Having a religion isn’t mandatory, and you can leave your former beliefs and your traits. If you want to quit the Sanctum Universum or The Enlightened religions, all you need to do is talk to the head priest.
If you want to leave House Va’ruun, head over to New Atlantis and enter the cells of the UC Security office. Once there, you can find Mir’za, a Va’ruun zealot who’ll allow you to leave the cult and lose the “Serpent’s Embrace” trait in a surprisingly peaceful manner.
Starfield comes out on September 6 on PC and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be on Game Pass day one. If you pre-order the premium edition, you can still get early access.
