Can Starfield Finally Beat No Man’s Sky with a Gameplay Makeover?

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As the anticipated release of Starfield approached, there was considerable excitement about Bethesda’s venture into the realm of hard science fiction. Initially, many viewed it as “Skyrim in space,” but unfortunately, Starfield‘s post-launch period hasn’t been as promising as Bethesda had anticipated. However, it’s worth noting that numerous games have started off rocky, eventually bouncing back and making a significant recovery over time.

After facing criticism following their 2020 release, Cyberpunk 2077 has managed to rise above it, but it’s No Man’s Sky that truly stands out when considering the most significant transformation since launch. Initially, No Man’s Sky offered impressive gameplay, yet lacked substance in its universe for players to explore. Fortunately, this issue has been addressed and Hello Games have consistently added content through updates, transforming No Man’s Sky into a rich space-faring RPG. On the other hand, Starfield finds itself in almost the opposite situation. The game boasts an abundance of content, but its gameplay mechanics often hinder rather than enhance the overall experience.

If Starfield Wants to Pull a No Man’s Sky, Then Bethesda Needs to Modernize its Gameplay

Regardless of the controversies surrounding it, Starfield carries a great deal of untapped promise beneath its challenges for players. Bethesda might be sitting on an undiscovered gem if they can revamp the gameplay. The main obstacle that Starfield faces is that many of its gameplay aspects appear outdated and dated. The menus are confusing, there seem to be endless loading screens, and the mechanics feel awkward, which makes exploration feel dull rather than thrilling.

Over time, “No Man’s Sky” has kept its universe vibrant. While it’s true that some players find “Starfield’s” world less populated, if the gameplay were more smooth and engaging, it could significantly enhance the overall experience. Despite the fact that exploring in “Starfield” can be thrilling, the bureaucratic hurdles that players frequently encounter can discourage many gamers.

Speculation and hints point towards the possibility of Starfield being released on PlayStation 5 this year; however, an official confirmation regarding its port is still lacking.

Bethesda’s Creation Engine Problem

  • A lot of critics suggest that Bethesda’s Creation Engine is outdated.
  • Starfield was built using Creation Engine 2.
  • The Elder Scrolls 6 is expected to be developed on Creation Engine 2, also.

Although Starfield appears more visually appealing than most Bethesda games, it lags behind other contemporary titles when evaluated. Over time, game development has advanced significantly, and Starfield adheres to an outdated formula that could benefit from innovation. Removing all loading screens could significantly enhance the Starfield experience, benefiting both players and developers in the long term.

Bethesda could have a diamond in the rough on its hands.

Starfield Has Been in Limbo

  • Back in September 2024, Starfield‘s first DLC, Shattered Space, was released.
  • In the past, Bethesda has been vocal about its plans for annual expansions.

Bethesda has expressed plans to release annual DLCs for the game Starfield, but details about the second expansion have not been revealed yet. The latest expansion, Shattered Space, received a mix of positive and negative reviews, and there’s currently no news on another one, which has some fans hoping for an update.

A Games Showcase for Xbox is set for June 8th. This seems like the ideal occasion for Bethesda to reveal a fresh expansion for Starfield if there ever was one.

Currently, we don’t know exactly what Bethesda has in store for Starfield. Discussions about the future of Starfield have been ongoing, and it’s hoped that it could experience a resurgence similar to No Man’s Sky. But if Bethesda fails to update its gameplay mechanics, Starfield might never achieve such a comeback.

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2025-04-23 15:04