Mass Effect Meets Starfield AAA RPG New Gameplay Has Us Hyped

Star Citizen has built up quite a reputation for itself over the years.

If you’re a Mass Effect or Starfield fan and this sci-fi RPG isn’t on your radar, you might want to go about changing that.

The game has been in development for what feels like forever, although its announcement landed in 2012.

Ever since then, developer Cloud Imperium Games has relied on crowd funding to further development with Star Citizen having crossed the $900 million mark in funding in November 2025.

Star Citizen, Credit / Cloud Imperium Games

It’s considered one of the most expensive video games and general pieces of entertainment ever produced.

If it doesn’t ultimately deliver … yikes. Cloud Imperium Games could be in major trouble.

Well, you may be thrilled to know that Star Citizen is set to launch in early access next year, with its 1.0 launch likely landing several years beyond that.

Beta Testing Has Offered a Better Look at Gameplay

Ahead of then, however, you can view a snippet of gameplay courtesy of YouTube channel Digital Dreams.

I’m going to assume that Digital Dreams has participated in one of Star Citizen’s many public tests. If you haven’t gotten involved, then the above gameplay should give you a solid idea of what to expect.

Star Citizen features a little bit of everything on the gameplay front.

Across various modes, players can purchase and modify ships, engage in space combat, partake in conventional combat with both other players and NPCs, as well as explore a sprawling universe, taking on quests and bounties, as well as faring with a law system.

This game isn’t to be confused with Squadron 42 which is a story-based single-player game set within the same universe.

That particular title lacks a release date but features the wildest cast line-up you’ll ever see.

Gary Oldman, Mark Hamill, Mark Strong, Gillian Anderson, Andy Serkis, Damson Idris, and Henry Cavill are just some of the names slated to appear. Yes, just some.

Anyway, on the whole, people are feeling pretty impressed by what Star Citizen has shared so far, although there is some tangible concern that the game is all aesthetics and no substance.

“An impressive tech and graphics demo,” wrote one viewer on Digital Dreams’ video.

“I love this game but honestly, there is nothing to do in it,” another added.

“Beautiful,” said one comment, while a different viewer declared, “Scam Citizen.”

Could we be looking at a legendary release or the next The Day Before? I’m really hoping it’s not the latter, more so for the sake of all of those who contributed to the community funding efforts.