In the review of Starfield’s $30 DLC “Shattered Space,” the reviewer expresses disappointment over its lack of depth, engaging content, and technical issues, likening it to a paid mod rather than a substantial expansion. They criticize the short length, uninspired storytelling, and repetitive gameplay, ultimately raising concerns about Bethesda’s future quality in game development.
In the video review of Starfield’s $30 DLC, “Shattered Space,” the reviewer expresses disappointment with the expansion, highlighting that while the base game offered beautiful environments, the new content fails to deliver on multiple fronts. The reviewer notes that despite some improvements in gameplay mechanics, such as the introduction of a functional land vehicle and redesigned surface maps, the new story content feels more like a paid mod rather than a substantial expansion. The reviewer criticizes Bethesda for blurring the lines between paid mods and standalone DLC, and argues that the overall experience of Starfield is not aging well due to various issues like inconsistent AI, boring procedural planets, and frustrating loading screens.
The expansion aims to explore the mysterious House Varun, a faction that intrigued players in the base game. However, the reviewer finds the quests and characters dull and lacking depth. They compare “Shattered Space” unfavorably to Fallout’s “Far Harbor,” claiming that the new content is not only short—taking only about 12 to 15 hours to complete—but also fails to engage players meaningfully. The reviewer describes the narrative as predictable and the characters as bland, making the political intrigue feel flat and uninteresting.
While the city of Dazra is visually appealing, the reviewer criticizes the lack of engaging side quests and meaningful exploration. Most side quests are described as fetch quests, and the reviewer expresses frustration with the empty spaces between locations that lack unique encounters or rewards. Although there are a few decent gameplay encounters, the overall experience is seen as repetitive and uninspired, failing to capture the excitement found in previous Bethesda titles.
Technical issues also plague the expansion, with the reviewer noting bugs, FPS drops, and poor character animations. These problems, combined with the underwhelming content, lead the reviewer to conclude that “Shattered Space” is a significant disappointment for fans looking for a rich and engaging experience. They express concern about the future of Bethesda’s games, particularly with the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls VI, suggesting that if this is the quality of their expansions, it may not meet the high expectations of fans.
In summary, the review paints “Shattered Space” as a lackluster addition to Starfield, criticizing its short length, uninspired storytelling, and technical shortcomings. The reviewer warns that this expansion may deter both existing players and potential newcomers, expressing skepticism about Bethesda’s ability to deliver quality content in the future. They encourage viewers to share their thoughts on the expansion while emphasizing the need for Bethesda to address its ongoing issues to regain its status as a leading developer in the industry.