10 Key Insights Starfield’s Starborn DLC Can Take from Shattered Space

Starfield‘s recent downloadable content (DLC), Shattered Space, showcased stunning visual environments yet fell short of player expectations. The shortcomings identified in this DLC provide Bethesda with valuable insights as they prepare for the forthcoming Starborn expansion. It is crucial that Starborn not only enriches the narrative universe but also addresses the primary issues highlighted by the Shattered Space experience, transforming challenges into opportunities for genuine enhancement. Despite its artistic merits, Shattered Space lacked the impactful engagement that so many players yearned for.

With Starborn, Bethesda has a prime chance to rectify the missteps of the previous DLC, reshaping the gameplay experience. By implementing the necessary features that players have been demanding, Starborn can become a landmark expansion that not only fulfills expectations but elevates the overall Starfield experience.

10 More Incentives for Planetary Exploration

The Mundanity of Travel

While Starfield boasts a vast galaxy filled with planets, the act of exploring them often feels tedious rather than exhilarating. The Shattered Space DLC illustrated this concern, ultimately failing to provide a satisfying remedy. Although the handcrafted planet, Va’ruun’kai dazzles visually, it shares the same issues prevalent in the main game’s randomly generated worlds—many areas feel starkly empty and lack excitement. For Starborn to shine, it must address these shortcomings head-on.

Rather than merely introducing more uninspiring planets, players should be given compelling reasons to venture out into the cosmos. Departure from the repetitive cycle of locating similar outposts and fighting familiar enemies is essential. Even absent a traditional quest structure, the presence of bustling, interactive NPCs at various outposts would create a lively atmosphere. Currently, too many outposts feel like mere combat arenas lacking narrative or character context.

9 The Impact of Player Choices on the Narrative

Elevating the Importance of Choices

Despite its narrative potential, Shattered Space presented a limited approach to how player decisions shaped the storyline, leading to many feeling that their choices carried minimal weight. Although player choices may have influenced the ending, they lacked substantial consequences thereafter. Starborn must ensure that player choices resonate throughout the gameplay, creating a narrative that evolves with each decision.

For instance, choosing to join specific factions should lead to pronounced changes in the game world—players could witness the revival or destruction of towns, encounter new or vanished characters, or observe shifts in the political landscape of entire planets. Each decision should matter, enhancing the depth and interactivity of the storyline, a facet that feels lacking in the current iteration of Starfield.

8 Enhancing Companion Interactions in Starborn

Deepening Companion Dynamics

The companion system in Starfield requires significant improvement as it has struggled to engage players fully. While various companions, like Andreja, come with intriguing backstories, their roles often lack the depth observed in other Bethesda titles, leaving emotional connections underdeveloped. Shattered Space has accentuated this issue, and Starborn must learn from this feedback.

Although Andreja is often regarded as one of the most compelling companions, the narrative depth surrounding her dilutes over time. For true growth, her character would benefit from a broader range of interactions and emotional complexity, preventing her from fading into ubiquity like other NPCs.

7 Anticipation for a Game-Changing DLC Similar to Phantom Liberty

Modernizing Starfield

The lukewarm reception of the Shattered Space DLC, despite its impressive visuals, signals a critical message to Bethesda. Players are not simply seeking new places to visit but are eager for transformational changes in gameplay, akin to what Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty provided. This DLC not only expanded the world but also enhanced core gaming mechanics by addressing underlying issues and empowering player autonomy.

6 Deepening Faction Integration in Starborn

Exploring Faction Depth

In Starfield, the factions appear somewhat fragmented. While Shattered Space teased the potential for a more integrated faction experience, the House Va’ruun lacked full development. Starborn must dive deeper into enriching faction narratives.

The focus should not merely be on adding quests but should highlight internal faction dynamics, belief systems, and motivations. Players should have the power to interfere in faction politics, forge alliances, and challenge rivals, producing a lively and responsive world. As it stands, choices often result in predictable power dynamics rather than meaningful shifts.

5 Emphasizing Unique Environmental Storytelling

Reviving Narrative Through Environment

Although Shattered Space had its shortcomings, it provided a glimpse into the potential of environmental storytelling. For Starborn, the design should incorporate immersive storytelling elements seamlessly integrated into the environment, allowing players to uncover narratives through exploration. Catching players’ attention with subtle storytelling hints like old technologies, faded diaries, or crucial artifacts adds depth to the gameplay.

Crucial environmental storytelling elements must not be scattered randomly; positioning them purposefully can accentuate narrative development. For instance, unexpected weather phenomena might induce visions or hallucinations that enrich the lore, transforming exploration into an engaging narrative experience.

4 Significant Rewards for Exploration

Monotony of Looting

Starfield’s expansive galaxy can be both an asset and a limitation. While the beauty of Va’ruun’kai is undeniable, it lacks the incentive for substantial exploration. Too many regions remain bland and uninviting, offering little beyond the typical outposts and resources found in the original game. Starborn must address this by ensuring that players encounter genuinely rewarding discoveries beyond the mundane.

To enhance exploration, Starborn should introduce intriguing locations brimming with potential—ancient technology hidden within caves could unlock unique gameplay features, or players might uncover diaries that shed light on the overarching story. These elements should turn puzzles into engaging narrative experiences rather than mere loot opportunities.

3 Creating More Dynamic and Reactive NPCs

The Static Nature of NPCs

NPCs within Starfield often exhibit a lack of dynamism, with their reactions being limited and formulaic. The expansion Shattered Space indicated that richer interactions are achievable. Characters from House Va’ruun displayed varied reactions based on players’ actions, suggesting that NPC development can be more profound than the often-static responses in the main game. Starborn needs to capitalize on this insight.

In previous Bethesda titles like Skyrim, NPCs followed schedules that allowed for a more immersive experience. In Starfield, many characters remain stationary, resulting in an artificial feel to the world. To create a vibrant game environment, NPCs should possess meaningful backgrounds, evolving relationships, and routines that reflect ongoing narratives. By doing so, the game world will feel more alive and interactive.

2 Ensuring Length and Narrative Depth

Beyond a Simple Questline

The Shattered Space DLC introduced new locations and story elements, yet many players found it lackluster in length. Moving forward, Starborn must prioritize expanding the scope of its content. Quests should exceed basic fetch missions, weaving intricate narratives that allow for diverse outcomes and substantial repercussions within the game world.

Players should confront moral dilemmas that lack clear resolutions, fostering a deeper sense of engagement and consequence in their choices. This philosophy should extend beyond principal storylines to include side quests and varied explorations. Ultimately, new content should seamlessly integrate into the broader Starfield narrative, making it feel like a critical enhancement rather than an isolated faction mission.

1 Incorporating New Gameplay Mechanics

Innovating Game Features

Starborn needs to introduce a transformative gameplay mechanic that reshapes the Starfield experience. Unlike Shattered Space, which didn’t innovate, the upcoming expansion should avoid repeating this miscalculation. It’s vital that new mechanics are not just supplementary; they should redefine player involvement in the game. Vehicles are an illustrative example, showing how even existing features could see significant enhancements without being mere add-ons.

Rather than focusing on new vehicles, Bethesda could enhance companion dynamics aboard ships or expand base-building elements, allowing players to construct authentic living environments populated with NPCs, rather than just functionality-focused outposts. A new feature should infuse replayability and a sense of growth within the vast Starfield universe.

Ultimately, whatever new mechanics are introduced, the intent should be to create a rich, fulfilling experience that consolidates exploration and combat, ensuring that every playthrough includes unique elements that are satisfying and markedly different from the current offerings. If Starfield is to revitalize its community, compelling expansions like Shattered Space and Starborn must significantly enhance the game’s core appeal.

Source & Images