The launch ofStarfield’s first major DLC,Shattered Space, likely didn’t go as well as expected. Instead of excitement, it received a mostly negative response from players on Steam, where it stands to this day. This raises concerns about how Bethesda is handling post-launch updates forStarfield.Shattered Spacedidn’t fix many of the problems players had with the main game and even created new ones.
Issues like uninspired world-building, lack of meaningful choices, repetitive quests, and a disappointing storyline have left many players worried that Starfield won’t reach its full potential. Players have started comparing it unfavorably to older Bethesda games and recent hits likeBaldur’s Gate 3. Now,there’s a lot of pressure on the upcoming DLC,Starborn, to improve things and show thatStarfieldcan be more than just a game that looks good but feels shallow. The game’s future and players’ trust depend on whetherStarfieldcan learn fromShattered Space.
Starborn Needs To Do More Than Shattered Space
Meaningful Improvements Will Go A Long Way
The upcomingStarbornDLC has a lot to live up to because of what players expect, especially after the disappointments ofShattered Space. It’s not enough to just provide more content;the game needs to address the criticismsof both the main game and its first expansion.Starbornhas to fixStarfield’sbiggest problemsand even improve aspects so it can dominate the space.
Is Starfield Worth Playing In 2025?
Starfield released to a mixed reception, and in 2025, thanks to over a year of updates, it may be time to return to the game that was so hyped.
The DLC needs to show that it’s willing to innovate by adding meaningful improvements, new gameplay mechanics, and more than fetch quests seen far too often in the game. Shattered Space felt like an expansion pack that added more missions butleft so much of the game the same. So it was as if Bethesda didn’t consider player feedback to be useful or reflective of the state of the game.
The success ofStarborndepends on Bethesda actually listening to player feedback and fixing the issues that have left many players feeling let down.Relying solely on random contentand a large game world isn’t enough anymore;Starbornmust provide a focused, immersive, and interesting experience that feels worthy rather than just an add-on to what some consider a flawed game.
Starfield Is Still Lacking Content Even After DLC
There’s Still So Much To Add To The Open-World Game
Even thoughStarfieldhas a huge universe to explore, many players feel itlacks interesting content beyond simple exploration. Critics have pointed out that the game doesn’t offer compelling stories, and your choices often feel unimportant anddon’t have real consequences. This problem also affects how players interact with the world, as even the carefully designed environments seem lifeless and provide few real chances for discovery.
Instead, gameplay often gets stuck in a routine of combat and collecting resources. Players want deeper experiences instead of repetitive quests and dull side activities. They are looking for stories that draw them in emotionally, with well-developed characters and real opportunities for role-playing.Shattered Spacealso lacks many new gameplay mechanics, making it feel like players are stuck in the same old routine even with all the potential the universe offers. In the end, having a lot of content doesn’t make up for the lack of unique and meaningful experiences.
Simply adding more missions isn’t enough; theStarbornDLC needs to show that the developers understand players' concerns. It needs better choices in storylines and quests that are more than just finding an NPC to talk to or clearing a camp. The future ofStarfieldis at a critical juncture, wherea lackluster player experience overshadows its potential. To make a real change, theStarbornDLC needs to deliver a fresh approachthat gives players storylines in side quests that feel meaningful, rather than fetch quests that feel tacked on.
Starfield Won’t Correct Itself Like Cyberpunk 2077, But It Could If It Fixes The Worst Part Of The Game For Me
Cyberpunk 2077 rose from the ashes, and there’s a slight glimmer of hope that Starfield can do the same, but Bethesda will need to adjust.
DLC should offer plenty of content, butShattered Spaceshould have shown noticeable improvement by shortening loading screen times or making planets feel less boring and empty.More of the same is not the solution—it’s the problem. It’s hard to say thatStarfielddoesn’t feel like a game released a decade ago when the problems mentioned above have not been seen in other games for a decade. If Bethesda can’t fix that, thenStarbornwill fail.
Even With Starborn, Starfield Has An Uphill Struggle Ahead
Will The Upcoming DLC Be Able To Save The Game?
Starfieldhas a long way to go to win back players' trust after the disappointing reactions to the game and its recentShattered SpaceDLC. This latest DLC pointed out that Bethesda may not be willing to fix some of the game’s flaws, which couldmake players skeptical about the upcomingStarbornDLC. Bethesda needs to rebuild trust with a community that has felt let down since the game’s launch and its expansions.
Starfield is better thanFallout 4, but for many, it’s not on par withSpider-Man 4,Baldur’s Gate 3, or any other games released around the same time. TheStarbornDLC has to make it feel like it’s competition for other games. Otherwise, Bethesda is wasting its time and resources trying to saveStarfield.
