Leading up to the launch of Starfield, there was a lot of hype surrounding Bethesda's jump into the hard sci-fi genre. Originally hailed by many as "Skyrim in space," Starfield has had a shakier post-launch life than Bethesda was hoping for. On the bright side, though, plenty of games have launched in less than stellar states, only to make a strong comeback down the road.
Cyberpunk 2077 has risen from the ashes of its 2020 launch, but one game stands out when it comes to how much it has changed since launch, and that's No Man's Sky. No Man's Sky had great gameplay from the start, but there was nothing really to explore within its world. Thankfully, that has changed, and now the space-faring RPG is filled with content through dutiful updates by Hello Games. Starfield is in almost the opposite position, though. The game features plenty of content, but its gameplay ultimately gets in its own way.
Starfield Mod Adds 300 Missions to the Game
A brand-new Starfield mod adds over 300 missions to Bethesda's space RPG.
If Starfield Wants to Pull a No Man's Sky, Then Bethesda Needs to Modernize its Gameplay
Despite its divisive nature, Starfield has plenty of potential lying underneath the issues players have faced. Bethesda could have a diamond in the rough on its hands, but in order to uncover the treasure, a gameplay overhaul needs to happen. One of the biggest problems Starfield has going against it is that many of the gameplay elements feel outdated. Confusing menus, seemingly constant loading screens, and clunky mechanics make exploration feel far more sluggish than exciting.
Over the years, No Man's Sky continued to breathe life into its world. Of course, there are some criticisms that Starfield's world feels a bit empty, but if the gameplay felt far more streamlined and satisfying, it could actually make the experience feel a lot more lively. Exploring in Starfield can be incredibly fun, but the red tape players have to continuously push through is off-putting for a lot of gamers.
Rumors and leaks have suggested that Starfield may come to the PS5 this year, but such a port has yet to be officially confirmed.
Bethesda's Creation Engine Problem
- A lot of critics suggest that Bethesda's Creation Engine is outdated.
- Starfield was built using Creation Engine 2.
- The Elder Scrolls 6 is expected to be developed on Creation Engine 2, also.
While Starfield may look visually better than its fellow Bethesda games, it still struggles when compared to other modern titles. Game development has evolved by leaps and bounds, and Starfield continues a formula that is in need of a fresh approach. Even if Bethesda was simply able to get rid of all the loading screens, it would potentially make a major difference to the Starfield experience and help the developer in the long run.
Bethesda could have a diamond in the rough on its hands.
Starfield Has Been in Limbo
- Back in September 2024, Starfield's first DLC, Shattered Space, was released.
- In the past, Bethesda has been vocal about its plans for annual expansions.
Bethesda has made it clear that the studio has intentions to bring annual DLCs to Starfield, but there has yet to be any news on what its second expansion will be. Shattered Space once again launched to mixed reviews, and with currently no news of another expansion, some are eager for an update.
An Xbox Games Showcase is scheduled for June 8. If there was ever the perfect event for Bethesda to announce a new expansion for Starfield, it would be this showcase.
Right now, there's no telling what Bethesda has planned for Starfield. Speculation about Starfield's future has been ongoing, and it can hopefully have its own No Man's Sky comeback. However, if Bethesda doesn't modernize its gameplay, Starfield may never get that moment.
Starfield
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
