Can Starborn DLC Save Starfield?
The launch of Starfield'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 for Starfield. Shattered Space didn'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 like Baldur's Gate 3. Now, there’s a lot of pressure on the upcoming DLC, Starborn, to improve things and show that Starfield can be more than just a game that looks good but feels shallow. The game's future and players’ trust depend on whether Starfield can learn from Shattered Space.
Starborn Needs To Do More Than Shattered Space
Meaningful Improvements Will Go A Long Way
The upcoming Starborn DLC has a lot to live up to because of what players expect, especially after the disappointments of Shattered Space. It’s not enough to just provide more content; the game needs to address the criticisms of both the main game and its first expansion. Starborn has to fix Starfield's biggest problems and even improve aspects so it can dominate the space.
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 but left 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 of Starborn depends on Bethesda actually listening to player feedback and fixing the issues that have left many players feeling let down. Relying solely on random content and a large game world isn’t enough anymore; Starborn must 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 though Starfield has a huge universe to explore, many players feel it lacks interesting content beyond simple exploration. Critics have pointed out that the game doesn't offer compelling stories, and your choices often feel unimportant and don'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 Space also 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; the Starborn DLC 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 of Starfield is at a critical juncture, where a lackluster player experience overshadows its potential. To make a real change, the Starborn DLC needs to deliver a fresh approach that gives players storylines in side quests that feel meaningful, rather than fetch quests that feel tacked on.
DLC should offer plenty of content, but Shattered Space should 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 that Starfield doesn'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, then Starborn will fail.
Even With Starborn, Starfield Has An Uphill Struggle Ahead
Will The Upcoming DLC Be Able To Save The Game?
Starfield has a long way to go to win back players' trust after the disappointing reactions to the game and its recent Shattered Space DLC. This latest DLC pointed out that Bethesda may not be willing to fix some of the game's flaws, which could make players skeptical about the upcoming Starborn DLC. Bethesda needs to rebuild trust with a community that has felt let down since the game's launch and its expansions.
Starfield is better than Fallout 4, but for many, it's not on par with Spider-Man 4, Baldur's Gate 3, or any other games released around the same time. The Starborn DLC has to make it feel like it's competition for other games. Otherwise, Bethesda is wasting its time and resources trying to save Starfield.
Source: Starfield/Steam
