Bethesda’s much-talked-about science fiction RPGStarfieldhas reemerged with the news of anew update entering beta, and it’s kick-started the discourse surrounding the game’s rumored jump to the PlayStation 5. While I’m entirely in favor of more players getting to try out the game – I wish it hadn’t been an Xbox console exclusive in the first place – I’m worried that the same tiresome conversations will crop up.
Starfield’s potential exclusivity was a hot topic in the years leading up to its release, since Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax, was acquired by Microsoft in September 2020. Exactly three years later, in September 2023,Starfielddid, in fact, release only on PC and Xbox Series X/S. First-party exclusivity on Xbox has since gone by the wayside, largely because of dwindling hardware sales, and the PlayStation faithful have been eagerly awaitingStarfield’s arrival on PS5.
Rumors Suggest Starfield’s PS5 Release Will Coincide With Second Expansion
The Second DLC Is Said To Be Called Starborn
Two years on fromStarfield’s initial release, a PlayStation 5 version has not been confirmed, but that hasn’t stopped rumors swirling for years. There’s virtually nothing stopping Bethesda from droppingStarfieldon Sony’s platform;Oblivion Remasteredalready launched on PS5 earlier this year.
Despite constant rumors, the future ofStarfieldremains unspecified. Alongside the patch notes forStarfield’s beta update (available now on Steam),Bethesda said that it is “continuing work on future updates and will share more about the exciting things we have planned for Starfield in the coming months.“Fans have, naturally, come to two conclusions.
The first is the long-expected PS5 port – despite Bethesda and Xbox remaining mum,it feels inevitable at this point. The other expected announcement is confirmation thatStarfieldis receiving a second story expansion. Last year’sShattered Spacewas regularly heralded as the first DLC for the game, but a second has yet to materialize.
This mysterious second expansion has been rumored to be namedStarborn, and has led to the assumption that any potential PS5 port could coincide with the DLC’s release. Having the full experience available for its first day on PlayStation would certainly be an enticing prospect, but again,Bethesda hasn’t made any official announcements yet. ThePlayStation logo has mistakenly appeared onStarfieldCreations, though.
Starfield Caused A Lot Of Drama When It Was First Released
A Divisive RPG
The anticipation ahead ofStarfield’s release was overwhelming. Bethesda hadn’t released a mainline single-player game in nearly a decade, since 2015’sFallout 4, andStarfieldwas repeatedly positioned as a longtime passion project for the developers. WhileStarfieldfared generally well with critics –Screen Rant’s reviewboldly called it “an instant classic” –it became divisive with fans.
It’s a typical Bethesda RPG, ambitiously spread acrossmore than a thousand planets and moons. Some players were plagued by technical issues, others criticized its numerous hidden loading screens, and many found its world-building uninspired.
There are many valid criticisms ofStarfield, and plenty that I agree with, butit quickly became a punching bag online for not living up to the hype. Hyperbolic discussions labeled it a disaster for Bethesda, and a clear sign that the studio’s formula was obsolete. It ultimately wasn’t the “Skyrimin space” many felt they’d been promised.
I Don’t Want To Repeat The Starfield Discourse 2 Years Later
It’s A Fine Game, Let’s Move On
In my opinion,Starfieldis a good game – it’s not incredible, but it’s also not a disaster.I think Bethesda was a bit too ambitious, creating a game world that couldn’t possibly be filled with interesting content. Thedisappointment ofShattered Spaceis another matter, though, since its relatively limited scope should’ve allowed it to flourish.
Starfieldpotentially losing its console exclusivity is a good thing; exclusives are inherently anti-consumer. I’m glad more people will be able to tryStarfield– Bethesda releases are always noteworthy events in the industry. But I’m also worriedwe’re going to end up collectively relitigating the game’s merits and demerits.
Its technical performance on a new console and its implementation of the DualSense controller’s features are worth discussing, butI can do without the same exhausting bashing of a game that’s perfectly serviceable. Yes, the procedurally generated worlds are lacking in variety. Yes, being unable to meaningfully fly your ship on- and off-planet is disappointing. Yes, many quests are poorly designed, requiring too much fast travel.
But it’s not the end of the world;Starfieldis fine, and that’s okay. PS5 owners have had two years to decide if they’re still interested in playing the game, and it’s great that they may get a game that could potentially entertain them for hundreds of hours.
Starfieldsadly still hasn’t moved out from under its own shadow. Even two years later, the exceptional expectations surrounding its launch have stained it as a failure when it’s objectively not one. It was Bethesda’s most successful game launch in history, even if it doesn’t have the staying power ofSkyrim.
It’s clearly worth further financial and developmental investment from Microsoft and Bethesda two years later.Starfieldmay come to PS5, and if it does, I hope it’s without the discourse.
Source:Bethesda/X
Starfield
Bethesda Game Studios presents Starfield - the first original IP from the studio in twenty-five-plus years. Set in the year 2310, the United Colonies and Freestar Collective are observing a shaky truce after a war set 20 years prior. The player will customize their character as a member of a space exploration team called Constellation while navigating The Settled Systems and the conflicts between the warring factions. According to Bethesda, players can explore over 100 systems and 1000 planets to find resources and build their ships, living out their own sci-fi journeys.
