Starfield, with its vast and mysterious world awaiting exploration, features a simplistic and minimal heads-up display (HUD) that appears to be an evolved version of Fallout's UI. However, Bethesda’s secrecy surrounding certain gameplay mechanics has left some fans clueless about the meaning behind the game’s retro-futuristic icons and symbols. Fortunately, this guide aims to shed light on every aspect of Starfield's HUD, simplifying its functions and providing clarity for players.
All Components of the HUD in Starfield
With a minimal heads-up display, Starfield’s UI has two primary components: The Compass and the Combat HUDs. The former offers geological information such as planet name, oxygen level, and the day and night cycle, while the latter shows equipped weapons, ammunition, fuel, and HP.
The Compass HUD
Located at the bottom-left side of the screen, the Compass HUD is a mini-map. It uses landmark icons and visual clues to reveal unexplored areas and objects. But it also acts as players’ radar system, exposing possible hazards and enemies.
The latest Starfield Direct unveiled that the Compass HUD has four functions, which are detailed below.
Radar
The gray circle around the Compass indicates the player’s field of view. Any icon on this circle shows an object, location, vehicle, companion, or enemy, with larger icons being closer than the smaller ones. If the radar turns red, it hints that enemies have detected or are chasing the player.
Here's how to interpret the icons on the radar:
- Red markers show enemies or hostile creatures.
- Blue hexagons or blue circles point out missions and objectives.
- Diamond-shaped icons resemble civilizations or artificial structures.
- Gray or white circles are often biological landmarks.
Day & Night Cycle
At the center of the Compass HUD, there’s a planet icon that shows the time of the day. Since Starfield planets are spherical, the players’ position determines whether it’s day or night. So, if the icon’s larger hemisphere is dark, the dusk is getting closer, and if it’s white, the dawn is near.
Stamina Bar (Oxygen Indicator)
Right under the day & night indicator, there’s a curved bar with two signs on the left and right: O2 and CO2. In Starfield, this is the spacesuit’s oxygen level, which also shows players’ stamina. Cardiovascular activities such as sprinting or melee deplete this bar while resting refills it.
Hazards and Conditions
Hazards and conditions are survival elements in Starfield. The former is shown with round signs under the radar, warning players against environmental threats. However, the latter is presented with triangle signs, displaying the player’s health status.
Hazards include geological statuses such as Radiation, Thermal, and Corrosive. And conditions are things like coughing, joint pain, or soreness that affect the overall performance of the main character.
The Combat HUD
Appearing in the bottom-right corner of the screen, the Combat HUD includes the type of equipped weapon, ammo & magazine info, health bar, jetpack fuel gauge, and throwables.
Weapons and Ammo
Following in the footsteps of the Fallout franchise, Starfield’s weapon and ammo HUD is minimal: The weapon silhouette displays the gun in use while the numbers show how much ammo is in the mag—and in the inventory.
Health Bar
To the top of the gun HUD, there’s a white bar that puts players’ HP on view. This gauge might decrease with attacks, environmental hazards, survival elements (hunger, thirst, etc.), and health conditions such as sicknesses. An orange bar raising from the right flank of the HP gauge means that players are exposed to a hazard that is chipping their health bar away.
Boost Bar (Jetpack Fuel)
A boost is a jetpack jump that can be repeated as long as there’s enough fuel in the tank. Each maneuver will take a chunk of the boost gauge away. But since Starfield’s jetpack system comes with an auto-gen fuel mechanic, the gauge will refill automatically when resting.
Starfield will be available for Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 6, 2023. Early Access kicks off on August 31.