Video Game Review: Starfield Shattered Space

Bethesda’s highly anticipated first expansion for Starfield, Shattered Space, had the potential to build on the game’s expansive universe and address some of the criticisms levelled at the base game. Sadly, while it excels in some areas, it ultimately falls short where it matters most. Instead of reigniting excitement for the game, Shattered Space feels like a missed opportunity.

Visuals and World-Building

One thing Bethesda has always excelled at is creating visually captivating worlds, and Shattered Space doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The new environments are stunning, with intricately designed locations that expand Starfield’s already vast and diverse universe. From the hauntingly desolate moons to the vibrant urban centres, the expansion delivers eye-catching scenery that encourages exploration. Each new area has a unique feel, offering players fresh landscapes to lose themselves in.

The attention to detail is remarkable, with atmospheric effects, lighting, and intricate architecture making these environments feel alive. If you’re a fan of Starfield’s visual design, you’ll find plenty to appreciate here. Unfortunately, that’s where the praise ends.

A Story That Falls Flat

The biggest problem with Shattered Space lies in its narrative. For a game that centres around exploration and discovery, this expansion’s story feels remarkably unambitious. The plot is bland, with little urgency or emotional weight. While the dialogue is plentiful—perhaps too plentiful—it often feels like empty words rather than compelling storytelling. Conversations drag on, bogging down the pacing and sapping the narrative of any real momentum.

What’s worse is that the story fails to connect meaningfully with the broader universe of Starfield. Players hoping for a tale that deepens the lore or offers consequential choices will be left disappointed. The events of Shattered Space feel inconsequential, making it hard to invest in the story or its characters.

Gameplay and Missed Opportunities

Many fans hoped that Shattered Space would address some of the lingering issues from the base game, such as the repetitive quest design, lack of player agency, and shallow role-playing mechanics. Instead, the expansion doubles down on these weaknesses. While the environments look amazing, the gameplay remains largely the same: fetch quests, uninspired combat scenarios, and minimal player-driven outcomes.

This lack of innovation makes the expansion feel like more of the same, which is particularly disappointing for a game that promised to take players to the stars. The beautiful locations might make for great screenshots, but they’re not enough to sustain an engaging experience.

Final Thoughts

Starfield: Shattered Space is a visually impressive expansion that falls short where it matters most. Its dull story, excessive dialogue, and failure to address the base game’s issues make it a disappointment. At a time when Starfield needed a standout addition to re-engage its audience, this expansion feels hollow and uninspired.

While it’s not without its merits, Shattered Space ultimately leaves little impact. For those hoping for a game-changing experience, this expansion is unlikely to deliver.

Verdict: 5/10
A stunning but shallow expansion that fails to reach for the stars.