Summary

  • Starfield's Update 1.14.74 enhances Xbox Series X performance and fixes over 30 bugs in gameplay and quests.
  • Bethesda is improving the overall game experience with regular updates despite DLC criticism.

Starfield recently released its Update 1.14.74, which was only available in beta form before. The new update fixes some issues with the space exploration game while improving some aspects of Starfield.

Released in 2023, Starfield was a controversial game since day one. While it managed to obtain a positive reception from critics, with a score of 85 on OpenCritic, the title was greatly criticized for its vast yet shallow open-world universe. Since then, Bethesda has been releasing regular updates for Starfield, fixing bugs, and enhancing the overall experience.

Now, Starfield’s Update 1.14.74 has been released for all players, reintroducing an uncapped frame rate option for the Xbox Series X, improving the game’s overall performance, and fixing several issues. Starfield’s Update 1.14.74 was originally released early in November, but only gamers who opted to participate in the patch’s “beta testing” were able to access its contents. In general, most of the patch is still the same as it was in beta, with the introduction of lipsync animation data generation becoming available in the Creation Kit being the only major change in this release. Besides the improvements in stability and frame rates on the Xbox Series X, the update fixed over 30 bugs and issues, concerning quests such as What Remains, A House Divided, and Zealous Overreach.

Starfield’s updates have been getting a positive reception so far, and previous introductions such as maps for cities and a land vehicle were praised by most gamers. However, Starfield: Shattered Space failed to gain as much traction as these free updates. Criticized for its short duration and for having several bugs at release, the DLC failed to impress both critics and players alike, so it’s good that Bethesda is at least still polishing the base experience of the game.

While the content of future updates for Starfield is still uncertain, former Bethesda devs have already spoken about the potential for a Starfield sequel. According to Bruce Nesmith, who worked as a system designer on the game, it’s very likely that Starfield 2 will happen eventually. However, gamers should not hold their breaths, as the current focus of the company is releasing The Elder Scrolls 6, and Fallout 5 after that, so a sequel would not likely be released before the mid to late 2030s. Therefore, gamers can expect to keep playing Starfield for a long time, hopefully with updates and DLCs to make the game feel fresh.

Starfield Update 1.14.74 Official Patch Notes

General

  • General performance and stability improvements.
  • The uncapped frame rate option is available again for Xbox Series X users.
  • The Message of the Day now displays more consistently on the Xbox.
  • Addressed an issue where some console commands did not disable certain achievements.
  • Shattered Space will now show ownership correctly for Steam users.

Gameplay

  • The Annihilator Particle Beam damage-over-time effect no longer triggers companion reactions.
  • Resolved a Leadership skill issue that could cause companions to not speak up.
  • Improved function of the stealth bar while around crowd NPCs.
  • Addressed an issue where destroyed ships could load in without collision.
  • Addressed an issue where loading a save that relied on missing content could place the player in an undesirable location.
  • Tracker's Alliance - Roach will now accurately track the number of completed bounties.
  • Tracker's Alliance - Bounty targets will now appear in Akila, Gagarin, and Cydonia.
  • Tracker's Alliance - Fixed an issue where the player could receive additional credits by extorting the target and then killing them.
  • Tracker's Alliance - Bounty targets should now have a larger variety of appearances.
  • Tracker's Alliance - Bounty targets will now be removed after being dealt with and leaving the area.
  • Tracker's Alliance - Extorting or bribing a bounty target is no longer a guaranteed success.

Quests

  • The Starjacker - The correct quest objective will display when the player boards the Junker Watchdog.
  • Legacy of the Fang - Addressed an issue that could cause the key to no longer open the door if the player had left the area.
  • The Duel - If the player attacks Danika and gets arrested, they are now able to speak to her afterwards to complete the quest.
  • The Scaled Citadel - Anasko’s ID Key is now flagged as a quest item.
  • What Remains - Addressed an issue where having certain creations installed could make the hatch on The Oracle non-interactable.
  • What Remains - The Engineering Bay Access Card is now flagged as a quest item.
  • A House Divided - The doors in the Radiology center will stay unlocked during this quest if the player exits the area and returns.
  • A House Divided - The player can now obtain the keycard from Madri after the quest is completed.
  • Zealous Overreach - Fixed an issue that could occur if the Va’ruun Zealots at the exterior of Shadow Station Epsilon were killed before receiving the quest.
  • Zealous Overreach - Addressed an issue that could prevent the player from speaking to Razma or Viktor if the quest “Conflict in Conviction” is started at the same time.
  • Zealous Overreach - Vortex Phantoms will no longer spawn close enough to interrupt the negotiation scene.
Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Starfield Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

Starfield
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Action
RPG
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Systems
PC-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
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Released
September 6, 2023
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
Engine
proprietary engine
Cross-Platform Play
no multiplayer
Cross Save
no
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.
The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.

Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
Action, RPG
How Long To Beat
20 Hours
X|S Optimized
Yes
File Size Xbox Series
101 GB (September 2023)
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty