Starfield: Shattered Spaceis arriving later this year, promising to expand Bethesda’s already-mammoth-sized RPG adventure further. The DLC is set to introduce a number of new locations, characters, and, of course, a new main quest that couldimpactStarfield’s future as a franchise.
Naturally, much of the Shattered SpaceDLC is shrouded in mystery at this point, with Bethesda only pulling back the curtain enough to show off some intriguing narrative and gameplay elements. Still, there are a few key pieces of information that can be gleaned from the expansion’s sparse promotional materials. It’s clear that Shattered Spacewill center on the ardent religious faction known as House Va’ruun, an entity known as The Great Serpent, and a smattering of unsettling spectral entities that appear to be hostile to the player. These quasi-supernatural aspects seem to congeal into a decidedly more horror-focused story, which may be just whatStarfieldneeds.
Why Starfield Should Stick to the Realm of Horror Moving Forward
Starfield: Space Is Scary
It shouldn’t come as a surprise thatShattered Spaceis leaning into horror elements, as space sci-fi and horror are two genres that gel together remarkably well. This makes sense, as horror is often defined by the inexplicable or unfamiliar, and few things are more mysterious and alien than deep space. From black holes to the enigmatic Oumuamua comet, space is dense with incomprehensible entities, and what logic can’t define, imagination attempts to, often conjuring the worst sorts of hypotheticals.
These hypotheticals are undeniably tantalizing, as evidenced by successful space horror franchises likeDead SpaceandAlien.Starfieldhas the potential to growinto something unique and gripping by leaning into these terrifying themes, honing in on uncomfortable ideas like cosmic horror, humankind’s insignificance, and the nature of reality. By fleshing out worldbuilding components like the cult-like House Va’ruun, Bethesda can further developStarfield’s lore in an interesting and mature direction, which will hopefully bleed into any potential sequels or spin-off titles.
Bethesda is no stranger to horror, incorporating elements of the genre in bothFalloutandThe Elder Scrolls.
The World of Starfield Could Use a Little More Bite
While most space-based science-fiction stories can benefit from at least a sprinkle of horror,Starfieldmay be particularly in need of this new slant. Despite some unique aesthetic choices and an interesting premise about humanity fleeing Earth,Starfield’s lore arguably lacks personality, shying away from the thought-provoking and challenging themes that the science-fiction genre is known for.
At many points,Starfieldseems more concerned with being a swashbuckling space adventure than a fully detailed and complex world; there’s a distinct absence of ‘edge,’ for lack of a better term, as even the villains and corrupt entities of the game’s society feel sanitized and overly safe compared to its genre contemporaries. This isn’t inherently bad, and many players may enjoy this simplicity, but after seeing the fleshed-out worlds ofFalloutandElder Scrolls, it’s clear that Bethesda is capable of a bit more depth.
Horror could provide this depth. By being more upfront about the inherent terror and mystery of deep space,Starfieldcan develop into a more multifaceted franchisethat makes the most of its setting. While it probably shouldn’t turn into a full-blown horror game, it ought to recognize its potential as a galaxy-spanning space RPG, going beyond its barebones, albeit charming, human factions and underdeveloped Starborn society, which is a bit more whimsical and theatrical than cerebral or scary.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
