Just over a year after its launch, Starfield has introduced its first major story expansion, Shattered Space, but fan reactions have been largely lukewarm. The expansion has received mixed reviews on Steam, with many players expressing disappointment regarding its content and drawing unfavorable comparisons to earlier expansions from Bethesda. This overall sentiment raises concerns about the game’s ability to meet player expectations.
Released recently, Shattered Space has been completed by some players within a short timeframe, which raises questions about its value as a $30 expansion for such a vast RPG. With 681 reviews recorded on Steam, only 42% of players rated the DLC positively, resulting in a “mixed” classification.
The quick completion of the main story suggests that the expansion may not provide the depth and engagement players expect from a significant addition.
Players have criticized Shattered Space for various reasons. Common complaints include the use of “reskinned” weapons and outfits, a limited exploration area, and a storyline that can be finished in just a few hours.
While the percentage of negative reviews might seem substantial, the feedback is more muted overall. Many players are not outright condemning the expansion but rather expressing a sense of mediocrity, as indicated by one review that stated, “It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just incredibly mediocre.”
A shared sentiment among both positive and negative reviewers is that Shattered Space primarily offers more of what Starfield already provides. This aligns with the mixed reception of the base game, which boasts a slightly higher positive review rate of 59%.
Consequently, it appears that Shattered Space has not succeeded in reigniting excitement among the Starfield community, highlighting ongoing challenges for Bethesda in delivering satisfying content.
While Starfield has seen improvements since its initial launch through numerous bug fixes and updates, the mixed response to Shattered Space indicates that many fans are still facing broader dissatisfaction.
This reaction reflects not only the expansion’s individual shortcomings but also Bethesda’s ongoing struggle to align its offerings with the desires and expectations of its dedicated player base in an evolving gaming environment.
