I feel Starfield's strengths shine more when you dedicate different playthroughs to different RP builds. I'm doing that, and it made me recognize how much more fun roleplaying is in Starfield compared to previous BGS games. To give some examples:
UC Vanguard build - Born-and-bred UC boy (UC Native) I have Sarah Morgan, Hadrian, and other UC natives in my crew. I do the Vanguard questline, romanced Sarah, Tuala assigns me to partner up with SysDef for a special assignment, I become a spy for SysDef, I side with them in the Crimson Fleet questline, and do daily radiant Vanguard quests. I also make daily visits with my parents (Kid Stuff) and be charitable whenever I can (Raised Enlightened). The only major ship manufacturers I buy from are Deimos and Nova Galactic. I definitely don't touch HopeTech because they're filthy FC. I only use weapons from Allied Armaments because they're UC-affiliated.
FC Ranger build - Born and raised in the FC (FC Settler) I have Sam Coe, Autumn and some other FC natives as crewmates. I did the Freestar Ranger questline, did Sam's quest, and do daily Ranger quests from the faction's mission board. I also pray in any Universal spaces (Raised Universal). I'll buy from any of the major manufacturers for my ships EXCEPT for Deimos, because they're heavily UC-affiliated. I ain't giving my credits to any UC drones. I always have a brig hab installed in my ships for arresting perps. I only use Laredo weaponry because that's a homegrown FC weapon brand and also cowboys.
House Va'ruun build - Raised by former Va'ruun zealots but never got to truly experience Va'ruun culture (Serpent's Embrace). I got Andreja, Sahima, and Tane on my ship. I complete Shattered Space, fully integrate myself into House Va'ruun, hitch up with Andreja, and do any radiant missions involving taking down Va'ruun Zealots. I only use Va'ruun weapons and armor.
Trackers Alliance Bounty Hunter build - I have Jessamine, Marika, Betty Howser, Gideon, and Simeon in my crew. I do any Trackers Alliance content available, along with any other missions fitting a mercenary type. I get in trouble with the UC for getting caught assassinating my target accidentally hurting someone in Gagarin Landing (The Arbitrator quests from Free Lanes). I'm made an asset for SysDef and am forced to infiltrate the Crimson Fleet. I take my sweet ass time spying on them and get access to their sweet scan jammers (AKA I don't complete the quest and keep it active indefinitely) I always have more than one brig hab installed in my ships for catching multiple bounties.
Crimson Fleet Pirate build - Born and raised in Cydonia (UC Native). I hated working for the man and licking the UC's boot. I'm an adrenaline junkie and love to be on the edge (Space Scoundrel). I also really like alcohol and Aurora. No, I don't have a problem. You do. I'm not addicted, I swear. Anyways, I got caught moving contraband into New Atlantis and was made to be a pet rat for SysDef. I complete the Crimson Fleet questline by siding with the pirates and continue to do daily missions for the faction. I make Estelle Vincent my pirate queen (Companion mod), and got Mathis, Jessamine, Mickey, Muria (Thank you, Free Lanes) and the Adoring Fan (Hero Worshipped) in my crew. I don't buy ships and only register the ones I hijack. I gotta stay ahead of the bounty hunters though, since they're always on my ass (Wanted).
Roleplaying might sound obvious in a Bethesda RPG. Duh. However, I feel Starfield doesn't really get enough flowers for how well it handles casual roleplay. Just having a lot of unique dialogue options based on my background, traits, and skills adds a ton of immersion to the experience.