Starfield's universe is vast, with over 1000 planets to explore. Beyond quests, a significant portion of the game involves simply venturing into the unknown, discovering new worlds, and uncovering hidden secrets.
Planetary Surveying:
Use your scanner to survey planets. This involves scanning flora, fauna, and resources. Completing a full survey of a planet (100%) yields significant XP and credits, and allows you to sell the survey data for a good price. Invest in the 'Surveying' skill to speed up this process.
Points of Interest (POIs):
As you explore planets, your scanner will highlight various POIs: abandoned outposts, caves, research labs, natural formations, and more. These often contain loot, enemies, environmental storytelling, and sometimes even small side quests.
Random Encounters:
While traveling through space or landing on planets, you'll encounter random events: distress calls, pirate ambushes, derelict ships, or unique traders. These add variety and often lead to unexpected adventures or lucrative opportunities.
Artifacts & Temples:
Beyond the main quest, there are many more Artifacts and Temples to discover. Each temple grants a new Starborn power or upgrades an existing one. Vladimir Sall on The Eye will often give you locations for these. Prioritize finding them to enhance your character's abilities.