In my opinion, I think the best Starfield 2 would be a prequel from the early age of space flight while people were living in space, but still before the invention of the grav drive.

• It should all take place in the Sol System mostly on space stations, asteroid facilities, moon bases, capital ships, ect.
• Be about political factions, corporations, scientists, space criminals, smugglers, raiding pirates, ect.
• Focus on the ship experience including in-system flying, ship/crew management and EVA mechanics. The ship should feel like a working vessel.
• Create a living solar system with both scripted and radiant generated events at scale from player encounters to system wide events based on the current state of the solar system and the players interactions.
• Faction reputation system, with each of the factions controlling “towns” and “settlements” throughout the system.
• Implementation of traditional space game elements such as bulk cargo hauling, blockade running, escort missions, science expeditions, station raids, ect. Previously included mechanics should be revamped to make them more interesting.
• Harsh environments should require different suits and the player should have a special locker on the ship to keep them on board, Upgrading the suit should be part of the core gameplay.
• Streamlined, but present water/food/fuel mechanics, as well as an in-depth wound/injury/medical system.
• A main story about a freelance ship just trying to get by in the solar system. Taking on jobs, contracts, mercenary work. Bringing on a companion means getting their help working around the ship and unlock different stories and quest-lines.
• No galaxy ending event in the main story, instead have a game just about what it’s like to live in the world of Starfield. (although during some very exciting moments.