Starfield, Bethesda’s ambitious space exploration RPG, is now crashing and burning with player satisfaction at an all-time low, as reflected in its “Mostly Negative” Steam reviews. Only 37% of recent reviewers are satisfied with the game, a stark contrast to the game’s successful launch in September 2023. This shift in sentiment is particularly notable given Bethesda’s reputation for creating immersive open-world games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4.
Players have already expressed their disappointment with Starfield’s reliance on procedural generation, which they feel has stripped away the enchanting qualities of previous Bethesda titles. Instead of the rich, engaging worlds fans wanted to see, many describe Starfield’s universe as a series of lifeless planets and static cities, lacking the depth and intrigue that made the developer’s earlier games so captivating.
Comparisons with other recent RPG successes have not been kind to Starfield. The resurgence of Cyberpunk 2077 and the acclaim for Baldur’s Gate 3 have only accentuated the perceived shortcomings of Bethesda’s latest release. Fans are noting a stark contrast when moving from the richly detailed worlds of these titles back to Starfield, describing the experience as a jarring reminder of what Starfield lacks in terms of innovation and engagement.
To make matters worse, Bethesda’s response to the criticism has drawn ire from its dwindling number of supporters. In particular, Emil Pagliarulo’s defensive comments on Twitter, suggesting that players are disconnected from the reality of game development, have further alienated fans. This, coupled with Bethesda’s refusal to collaborate with other studios like Obsidian Entertainment for a The Elder Scrolls spin-off, suggests a reluctance to adapt and evolve in the face of industry changes and player expectations.
The situation has been exacerbated by Starfield’s technical issues and design choices. Progress-halting bugs, a lackluster skill system, and a disappointing narrative have all contributed to the negative reception. Players have criticized it for its general lack of quests, character progression, and base building mechanics, noting a significant step back from previous titles like Fallout 4.
Despite the challenges, Bethesda has not abandoned Starfield, with around 250 employees reportedly still working on the game and planning regular updates in 2024. However, the company faces a daunting task in reversing the public opinion and bringing Starfield up to the standards expected by today’s gaming audience.
In its current state, Starfield is a far cry from the immersive, detailed worlds that have defined Bethesda’s best work. Its procedural generation approach has failed to captivate players. The lack of compelling content and narrative depth is a glaring weakness that has left many feeling that the game doesn’t live up to its potential.
As Bethesda continues to work on updates and improvements, it remains to be seen whether Starfield can recover from its rocky start and regain the trust of its fanbase.
But, with modders already giving up on Starfield even before it hits the half-year mark, things will only continue to get worse before they get better.
Nevertheless, Bethesda remains a huge part of Microsoft’s plans for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, with Redfall and Starfield both failing to live up to expectations, Bethesda is off to a rough start as a first-party Xbox studio.
