Is Starfield Dead? 3 Potential Ways Forward? (Some involve the PS5)

Is Starfield Dead? 3 Potential Ways Forward? (Some involve the PS5)

I’m sorry to say this, but Starfield may very well be dead. Things haven’t really panned out the way Bethesda and Xbox had hoped, which begs the question: why hasn’t Starfield lived up to the standards that Skyrim and Fallout set before it? Let’s dive into this and more as we unravel what went wrong with Bethesda’s highly anticipated space epic.

The Legacy of Skyrim and Fallout

When we think of Skyrim and Fallout, we’re talking about games that are still played today. Skyrim came out in 2011 and has remained relevant for over a decade. Fallout 4 may have had a rocky start, but thanks to mods and updates, it’s in a great place now and still sees regular play. These games are massive, and they have long-lasting popularity. Bethesda’s goal with Starfield was to reach similar heights, aiming to create the next Skyrim.

But something went wrong.

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Starfield’s Missed Potential

Starfield had all the ingredients for success: years of development, a massive budget, and it was an Xbox console exclusive. Expectations were sky-high. However, the game committed a cardinal sin in gaming: many players found it boring. That’s a death sentence for a game, especially when there are so many other titles to compare it to.

Beyond just competing with its predecessors like Fallout and Skyrim, Starfield is being compared to modern games like Cyberpunk 2077, No Man’s Sky, and Star Wars Outlaws. And in almost every aspect, Starfield comes up short. Cyberpunk offers better shooting mechanics and world atmosphere. Fallout still outshines Starfield in open-world exploration and giving players a sense of purpose. Meanwhile, No Man’s Sky has excelled in space travel with its bajillion updates, putting Starfield to shame. Even Star Wars Outlaws, which I recently reviewed, does a better job at making space travel feel immersive, hiding transitions seamlessly to create the illusion of continuous journeys, unlike Starfield’s jarring load screens.

The Expansion Gamble

The recent release of the Shattered Space expansion was supposed to help redeem the game. But if you’ve seen the reviews, you’ll know that it hasn’t landed as well as hoped. Players aren’t thrilled. While I’ve been playing it, and it does have some cool features that should have been in the base game, it’s not enough to turn things around. The expansion feels more like a set of glorified side missions rather than the game-saving content Starfield desperately needed.

Bethesda has made some improvements, such as performance updates, 60fps modes, and even adding vehicles like the Rover. But these updates feel like they’re fixing things that should have been better from the start, rather than enhancing the overall experience. Even with performance modes, my experience has been mixed—sometimes the game runs well, but at other times it feels janky, especially when using the Rover on planets.

A Rocky Future for Starfield

So, what can be done to save Starfield? Here are the options as I see them:

  1. Do Nothing: Bethesda and Microsoft could cut their losses and move on. With the Fallout TV show gaining traction, focusing on a new Fallout game could be a safer bet. This would allow them to capitalise on the TV show’s momentum while shelving Starfield for now, possibly reviving it with a sequel down the line.
  2. Go All-In with a Full Overhaul: Bethesda could do a complete overhaul, similar to how CD Projekt Red saved Cyberpunk. This would involve reworking the game’s systems, adding free content, and releasing a polished, revamped version. They could release it across Xbox, PC, and potentially PS5, banking on a “2.0” update to salvage the game’s reputation.
  3. Release on PS5 Without Changes: Bethesda could also just release the current version on PS5 and hope to recoup some costs. While this might bring in some sales from the broader PS5 audience, it’s unlikely to create a significant resurgence in interest without major improvements.

Is Starfield Dead?

So, is Starfield dead? Unfortunately, the answer might be yes. The game’s launch, expansion, and updates haven’t lived up to expectations, and it’s hard to see how Bethesda can fully recover from this. While there’s always a chance for redemption, much like we’ve seen with other titles, the road ahead looks tough.

But I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you still enjoying Starfield? What do you think Bethesda can do to turn things around? Drop a comment on our YouTube video and chat with us!

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