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.