Everyone Please Be Normal About Starfield On PS5

Bethesda’s much-talked-about science fiction RPG Starfield has reemerged with the news of a new update entering beta, and it’s kick-started the discourse surrounding the game’s rumored jump to the PlayStation 5. While I’m entirely in favor of more players getting to try out the game – I wish it hadn’t been an Xbox console exclusive in the first place – I’m worried that the same tiresome conversations will crop up.

Starfield‘s potential exclusivity was a hot topic in the years leading up to its release, since Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax, was acquired by Microsoft in September 2020. Exactly three years later, in September 2023, Starfield did, in fact, release only on PC and Xbox Series X/S. First-party exclusivity on Xbox has since gone by the wayside, largely because of dwindling hardware sales, and the PlayStation faithful have been eagerly awaiting Starfield‘s arrival on PS5.

Rumors Suggest Starfield’s PS5 Release Will Coincide With Second Expansion

The Second DLC Is Said To Be Called Starborn

Two years on from Starfield‘s initial release, a PlayStation 5 version has not been confirmed, but that hasn’t stopped rumors swirling for years. There’s virtually nothing stopping Bethesda from dropping Starfield on Sony’s platform; Oblivion Remastered already launched on PS5 earlier this year.

Despite constant rumors, the future of Starfield remains unspecified. Alongside the patch notes for Starfield‘s beta update (available now on Steam), Bethesda said that it is “continuing work on future updates and will share more about the exciting things we have planned for Starfield in the coming months.“ Fans have, naturally, come to two conclusions.

The first is the long-expected PS5 port – despite Bethesda and Xbox remaining mum, it feels inevitable at this point. The other expected announcement is confirmation that Starfield is receiving a second story expansion. Last year’s Shattered Space was regularly heralded as the first DLC for the game, but a second has yet to materialize.

This mysterious second expansion has been rumored to be named Starborn, and has led to the assumption that any potential PS5 port could coincide with the DLC’s release. Having the full experience available for its first day on PlayStation would certainly be an enticing prospect, but again, Bethesda hasn’t made any official announcements yet. The PlayStation logo has mistakenly appeared on Starfield Creations, though.

Starfield Caused A Lot Of Drama When It Was First Released

A Divisive RPG

The anticipation ahead of Starfield‘s release was overwhelming. Bethesda hadn’t released a mainline single-player game in nearly a decade, since 2015’s Fallout 4, and Starfield was repeatedly positioned as a longtime passion project for the developers. While Starfield fared generally well with critics – Screen Rant‘s review boldly called it “an instant classic” – it became divisive with fans.

It’s a typical Bethesda RPG, ambitiously spread across more than a thousand planets and moons. Some players were plagued by technical issues, others criticized its numerous hidden loading screens, and many found its world-building uninspired.

Related

Can Starborn DLC Save Starfield?

The Starborn DLC has a lot to live up to, but it has so much to live up to, and after Shattered Space, it’s hard to see a good future for it.

There are many valid criticisms of Starfield, and plenty that I agree with, but it quickly became a punching bag online for not living up to the hype. Hyperbolic discussions labeled it a disaster for Bethesda, and a clear sign that the studio’s formula was obsolete. It ultimately wasn’t the “Skyrim in space” many felt they’d been promised.

I Don’t Want To Repeat The Starfield Discourse 2 Years Later

It’s A Fine Game, Let’s Move On

In my opinion, Starfield is a good game – it’s not incredible, but it’s also not a disaster. I think Bethesda was a bit too ambitious, creating a game world that couldn’t possibly be filled with interesting content. The disappointment of Shattered Space is another matter, though, since its relatively limited scope should’ve allowed it to flourish.

Starfield potentially losing its console exclusivity is a good thing; exclusives are inherently anti-consumer. I’m glad more people will be able to try Starfield – Bethesda releases are always noteworthy events in the industry. But I’m also worried we’re going to end up collectively relitigating the game’s merits and demerits.

Related

I Won’t Give Up On Starfield, & You Shouldn’t Either

Starfield doesn’t get the credit it deserves and typically receives a lot of hate for various reasons, but don’t give up on this space RPG quite yet.

Its technical performance on a new console and its implementation of the DualSense controller’s features are worth discussing, but I can do without the same exhausting bashing of a game that’s perfectly serviceable. Yes, the procedurally generated worlds are lacking in variety. Yes, being unable to meaningfully fly your ship on- and off-planet is disappointing. Yes, many quests are poorly designed, requiring too much fast travel.

But it’s not the end of the world; Starfield is fine, and that’s okay. PS5 owners have had two years to decide if they’re still interested in playing the game, and it’s great that they may get a game that could potentially entertain them for hundreds of hours.

Starfield sadly still hasn’t moved out from under its own shadow. Even two years later, the exceptional expectations surrounding its launch have stained it as a failure when it’s objectively not one. It was Bethesda’s most successful game launch in history, even if it doesn’t have the staying power of Skyrim.

It’s clearly worth further financial and developmental investment from Microsoft and Bethesda two years later. Starfield may come to PS5, and if it does, I hope it’s without the discourse.

Source: Bethesda/X

Starfield

Systems

Released

September 6, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence

Engine

proprietary engine