Starfield: Shattered Space’s Horror Themes Should Be The Tip of the Iceberg

Starfield: Shattered Space's Horror Themes Should Be The Tip of the Iceberg

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming expansion for Starfield, titled Shattered Space, holds immense potential to elevate this already captivating RPG to new heights. The introduction of House Va’ruun, The Great Serpent, spectral entities, and a horror-focused narrative promises an intriguing and immersive journey that could redefine the Starfield franchise.


The upcoming expansion for “Starfield: Shattered Space” is due later this year. This addition is expected to deepen the vast RPG journey offered by Bethesda even more. The DLC introduces fresh locations, characters, and a significant new main quest that could shape the future of the “Starfield” franchise, as we know it.

To put it simply, while Bethesda has kept most of the details about the Shattered Space DLC under wraps, they’ve given us a peek at some tantalizing story and gameplay aspects. From the scant promotional materials, we can gather that the expansion will revolve around House Va’ruun, a powerful religious group, an entity called The Great Serpent, and some ominous spectral beings that seem to be hostile towards the player. These eerie elements hint at a narrative leaning more towards horror, which could provide the perfect blend for the upcoming game, Starfield.

Why Starfield Should Stick to the Realm of Horror Moving Forward

Starfield: Space Is Scary

It might not be unexpected that Shattered Space incorporates horror elements, given how well space sci-fi and horror blend. This synergy arises because horror is typically characterized by the inexplicable or strange, and nothing is more mysterious and alien than deep space. With phenomena such as black holes and the enigmatic Oumuamua comet, space teems with incomprehensible entities. When reason fails to explain these mysteries, our minds often fill the gaps with frightening possibilities.

The ideas presented in these hypotheticals are hard to resist, as shown by popular space horror series such as “Dead Space” and “Alien.” By exploring terrifying concepts like cosmic fear, the insignificance of humanity, and the unknown nature of reality, Bethesda can create a unique and engaging game with “Starfield.” Adding intriguing elements like the mysterious House Va’ruun to the game’s world will help expand its lore and set the stage for potential sequels or spin-offs.

Bethesda has a history with creating horror-themed games; they’ve infused aspects of this genre in titles like “Fallout” and “The Elder Scrolls.”

The World of Starfield Could Use a Little More Bite

Incorporating a horrifying element could significantly enrich Starfield’s narrative, given its potential to stand out among space-based sci-fi stories. Although it boasts distinctive visual appeals and an engaging premise about Earth’s exodus, Starfield’s backstory appears to be lacking the characteristic depth and complex ideas that are synonymous with the science-fiction genre, often favoring the more conventional over the thought-provoking.

In several areas, Starfield appears prioritizes an exciting space journey overbuilding a richly layered universe. The game seems to lack the gritty realism or “edge” often found in similar titles, with its antagonists and corrupt entities appearing less menacing and too harmless by comparison. While this simplified approach may appeal to some gamers, it’s evident that Bethesda has the ability to create more complex worlds based on their previous works like Fallout and Elder Scrolls.

As a gamer delving into the vast expanse of Starfield, I believe acknowledging and embracing the genuine dread and enigma of deep space could elevate this franchise to new heights. By openly confronting the terror that lurks in the darkest corners of the cosmos, Starfield can transform into a more nuanced universe that truly leverages its unique setting.

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2024-07-30 14:05