Starfield’s First DLC, Shattered Space, Falters, but Bethesda Stands Firm on Its Vision
At the time of writing, Starfield‘s Steam review score holds a rather underwhelming “Mixed” rating, with only 59% of its total reviews leaning positive. Its first major DLC, Shattered Space, is faring worse: currently sitting at a dismal “Mostly Negative” with just 38% of user reviews giving it a thumbs-up.
Despite the lukewarm reception, Starfield‘s design director Emil Pagliarulo remains undeterred. In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Pagliarulo expressed his confidence in the project, asserting that while Starfield “might not be everyone’s cup of tea,” he believes it’s “the best game we’ve ever made” in many respects.
That’s a bold claim, especially considering Bethesda’s legacy includes iconic titles like Morrowind and Skyrim, which defined open-world RPGs for a generation. But Pagliarulo stands by his assertion, pointing to the immense challenge that Starfield posed. “It’s the hardest thing Bethesda has ever done,” he said. “We pushed ourselves to make something different. To just jam into an Xbox the biggest, richest space simulation RPG anyone could imagine.”
Pagliarulo is quick to clarify that he’s not claiming Starfield is objectively “better or worse” than Bethesda’s other games—just that it’s distinct. “It’s that weird Bethesda blend of immersion, action, and RPG,” he noted, calling it a unique experience within the company’s catalog.
It’s hard to deny that Starfield was an ambitious departure from Bethesda’s well-worn fantasy and post-apocalyptic settings. The studio ventured into uncharted territory with its sprawling space sim, delivering a mix of galactic exploration, role-playing, and base-building mechanics. Yet, while Pagliarulo acknowledges the difficulty in crafting something so different, many fans have been left feeling like the experiment didn’t quite hit the mark.
It’s difficult to compare Starfield to Bethesda’s prior successes. Morrowind broke new ground with its complex narrative and world-building. Skyrim, nearly 13 years on, continues to captivate millions. Even Fallout 4, with its divisive settlement-building mechanics, felt more innovative in its approach than Starfield’s often empty planets and procedural landscapes.
Still, Bethesda seems undaunted by the criticism. Pagliarulo states that Starfield now occupies a place alongside Fallout and Elder Scrolls in what he refers to as the studio’s “big three” franchises. “Most importantly, Starfield has its unique personality,” he added. For Bethesda, this means the game has found its place in their lineup, even if it didn’t reach the same heights as its predecessors.
That said, fans of Fallout and Elder Scrolls might not be thrilled to hear that Bethesda is dedicating resources to Starfield rather than a new entry in those beloved franchises. But if the studio is open to suggestions, many players, myself included, could certainly offer ideas on how to make Starfield‘s next outing feel more like the stellar experience it was promised to be.
