Starfield on PlayStation 5 Could Finally Put One Debate to Bed

Starfield is Bethesda’s latest game (aside from the recent Oblivion Remastered), though it’s hard to say that it was a triumphant return for the studio. The company needed a shot in the arm after Fallout 76 which, while eventually garnering a solid playerbase in the wake of expansions and bug fixes, did quite a number on its reputation. Starfield was hardly as controversial as Fallout 76—few games hold that honor—but its reception was undeniably mixed.

But Microsoft and Bethesda didn’t give up on Starfield following its modest critical and commercial success. Post-launch updates brought major new features like the REV-8 vehicle, which satisfied at least one major community criticism in spectacular fashion, and things seemed to be warming up ahead of the Shattered Space DLC. Sadly, Shattered Space wasn’t exactly a magic bullet for Starfield, as it was received even worse than the base game, with detractors citing its small scope and bland story as reasons for players to stay away. But with rumors and leaks abounding about Xbox’s plans to bring Starfield to PlayStation 5, there’s a chance that the game could get a second chance at life, able to resonate with a broader playerbase.

If Starfield Comes to PS5, It Could Get a Better Sampling of Opinions

Opinions on Starfield Can Vary Wildly

The gaming community has become more and more divided over the years, and Starfield provides evidence of these tectonic-level shifts. Before the game even launched, pre-release reviews from outlets like IGN were slammed for giving it decent-to-mediocre ratings, so steadfast were some Bethesda fans in their belief that it would be a masterpiece. After launch, the wildfires of social media debate grew considerably stronger, with some dramatically declaring Starfield as Bethesda’s downfall and one of the worst games ever made, while others argued that it was a one-of-a-kind, boundary-pushing work of art.

This can often be the case when high-profile games release: one can observe similarly heated discussions surrounding the launch of Red Dead Redemption 2, for instance. Players often have their expectations heightened through expensive marketing campaigns and lofty promises from publishers, only to feel cheated when a given game is just good instead of mind-blowing. Or, the visibility of a major release can result in rampant, toxic discussions, wherein the most outlandish claims from each end of the spectrum get the most engagement, which in turn stokes the flames of contention ever more. But if Starfield expands its player base with a PS5 port, two years after its initial launch, perhaps cooler heads will prevail.

Hindsight and a Wider Audience Could Offer a Firmer Consensus About Starfield’s Quality

True consensus about art is never possible, as all art is inherently subjective. However, one can often gauge the approximate temperature of a game’s reception, assuming it’s reached a certain level of visibility. For example, some gamers absolutely hate Elden Ring, and some think it’s overrated, but it’s not controversial to say that the general consensus among gamers is that the game is good.

This is tricky when it comes to more controversial games like Starfield, due to the aforementioned problems with internet discussion and social media. Starfield had a fairly long rollout due to its post-launch updates and DLC, keeping it relevant for longer and therefore never allowing discussion to subside. But the fire has settled now, so perhaps a new release, one as significant as a PS5 port, would spark the flame anew; the flame could be strong, but not out of control, nor blinding for those seeking nuanced opinions. In other, less metaphorical terms, Starfield could be reevaluated on PS5, enjoying the gifts of hindsight and more realistic expectations.

Starfield

Systems

10/10

Released

September 6, 2023

ESRB

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

Engine

proprietary engine