Starfield: Is It Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
Introduction
Bethesda Game Studios spent over two decades crafting the worlds of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, building a reputation for sprawling, ambitious RPGs that players could lose themselves in for hundreds of hours. So when they announced Starfield, their first new IP in 25 years, the gaming world held its breath. This was supposed to be the game that took their signature formula to the stars, a “Skyrim in space” that would redefine the open-world RPG for a new generation.
The reality has been more complicated. Starfield launched in September 2023 to critical acclaim (83 on Metacritic for PC, 85 on Xbox) but a far more divided player reception. Over two years later, with the PS5 release in April 2026, two major DLCs (Shattered Space and Terran Armada), and the transformative Free Lanes update, the question remains as divisive as ever. We have spent countless hours exploring the Settled Systems, building ships, and chasing that elusive Bethesda magic. So, after all that, we have to ask: is Starfield worth your time and credits? Let’s break it down.
Quick Verdict Box
TL;DR: Starfield is a game of staggering ambition and frustrating execution. Its scale is immense, its ship-building and combat are genuinely engaging, and the Free Lanes update has finally made exploration feel less like a chore. But the flat main story, repetitive procedurally generated content, shallow characters, and relentless loading screens hold it back from the greatness of Bethesda’s best work. It is a game that demands patience and rewards persistence, but it is not for everyone.
Buy it if:
- You are a die-hard Bethesda RPG fan who loves Skyrim and Fallout
- You enjoy deep ship-building, outpost management, and player-driven exploration
- You appreciate a massive sci-fi sandbox with hundreds of hours of content
Skip it if:
- You expect a seamless spacefaring experience like No Man’s Sky or Elite Dangerous
- You have a low tolerance for loading screens, bugs, and procedural repetition
- You value tight, well-paced storytelling over sprawling, player-driven freedom
What Is Starfield?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks |
| Genre | Open-World Action RPG |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 |
| Price | $69.99 (Standard) / $99.99 (Premium Edition) |
| Release Date | September 6, 2023 (PC/Xbox); April 7, 2026 (PS5) |
Starfield is the first new intellectual property from Bethesda Game Studios in over 25 years. Set in the year 2330, you play as a member of Constellation, the last group of space explorers, tasked with uncovering the mysteries of the universe. The game features over 1,000 planets across dozens of star systems, blending hard sci-fi aesthetics with Bethesda’s signature deep lore and player-driven narrative. It is a massive, ambitious sandbox that has been shaped by years of updates, including the Free Lanes update (April 2026) and two major DLC expansions: Shattered Space (2024) and Terran Armada (2026). You can read critic reviews on Metacritic and OpenCritic.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The Bethesda Formula in Space
At its core, Starfield feels like a classic Bethesda RPG. You explore, converse with characters, engage in branching dialogue, manage inventory, and undertake a plethora of side quests that often outshine the main narrative. The first-person combat is competent, with a satisfying array of ballistic and energy weapons, though it lacks the visceral punch of modern shooters. The RPG systems are deep, with a sprawling skill tree that meaningfully gates abilities, encouraging specialization in combat, science, or social skills.
What sets Starfield apart is the sheer scale of its world. You can visit over a thousand planets, each with its own unique landscapes, flora, fauna, and points of interest. The sense of freedom is unparalleled, you can be a space pirate, a corporate diplomat, a scientist, or a lone explorer. The game’s greatest strength is its ability to let you write your own story.
Ship-Building: A Genuine Highlight
The ship-building system is one of Starfield‘s best features. You can design and customise your own starship from the ground up, choosing everything from the hull and engines to the weapons and interior layout. It is “a genuine highlight for tinkerers” and offers a level of depth that few other games in the genre can match. Space combat is engaging, with dogfights that require strategy and quick reflexes. The Terran Armada DLC has also introduced new space battles and ships, adding more depth to this already impressive system.
The Free Lanes Update: A Game-Changer
The Free Lanes update, released in April 2026, has been a transformative moment for the game. It introduced “Cruise Mode,” allowing players to fly between planets in a star system without relying on fast travel. This has made exploration feel “much less of a chore and more engaging,” with random encounters now occurring naturally as you travel. The update also added numerous quality-of-life features, including the “Always Show Landing Camera” option, better loot for locked chests, and improved outpost building. As one Reddit user put it, the game now “feels a bit like Elder Scrolls, where I want to do A but suddenly get distracted by B”.
The Procedural Problem
Despite these improvements, Starfield still suffers from the same fundamental issue that plagued it at launch: the procedurally generated content is repetitive. Many of the thousand planets are vast, procedurally generated landscapes with repetitive points of interest. The core loop of landing, surveying, and scavenging abandoned outposts can become formulaic. The game’s scale is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. As one review put it, Starfield “remains the most ambitious sci-fi sandbox on consoles, but ambition without polish only gets you so far”.
Story & Presentation
Narrative: A Missed Opportunity
The main story of Starfield has been one of the game’s most consistent criticisms. It is “flat” and “forgettable”. You are a member of Constellation, exploring the galaxy in search of mysterious artifacts that hold the key to humanity’s future. While the premise is intriguing, the execution falls short. The characters are “underdeveloped” and lack the depth of Bethesda’s best work. The story has “a few hooks and good moments but ultimately makes no sense and disregards all the choices you made”.
However, the side quests often outshine the main narrative. They are where Bethesda’s signature environmental storytelling and player-driven choice truly shine. Many players have found themselves losing hours in the game’s rich faction questlines, which are far more engaging than the main plot.
Visuals and Audio: A Mixed Bag
Visually, Starfield is a treat. The space landscapes are “beautiful,” and the scale of the galaxy is breathtaking. The ship and outpost customisation is “great,” and the game’s art direction is consistently strong. On PS5, the game runs at a smooth 60fps and makes excellent use of the DualSense controller’s features.
The soundtrack, composed by Inon Zur, is atmospheric and fitting for a space epic. The audio design is solid, with satisfying weapon sounds and ambient space noise that immerses you in the universe.
Performance & Technical
Performance has been a rollercoaster for Starfield. At launch, the game was plagued by bugs and technical issues, though it was “less buggy than Fallout 4 and *76* on release”. Over time, Bethesda has released numerous patches and updates that have significantly improved stability and performance.
The PS5 version, released in April 2026, has been praised as the “most polished version of Starfield yet”. It runs at a smooth 60fps and makes excellent use of the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. However, even on PS5, some players have reported crashes, freezes, and saving problems.
On PC, the game still suffers from performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware. The user score on Steam sits at just 57.7% positive, with many players citing technical issues as a reason for their negative reviews.
Pros and Cons
Pros
| ✅ | Massive, ambitious sci-fi sandbox with over 1,000 planets to explore |
| ✅ | Excellent ship-building and customisation system |
| ✅ | The free lanes update has made exploration more engaging and less reliant on fast travel |
| ✅ | Deep RPG systems with a sprawling skill tree and meaningful character progression |
| ✅ | Beautiful space landscapes and impressive visual scale |
| ✅ | Hundreds of hours of content and strong replayability |
Cons
| ❌ | Flat main story and underdeveloped characters |
| ❌ | Repetitive procedurally generated content on many planets |
| ❌ | Relentless loading screens that break immersion |
| ❌ | Slow introduction that tests player patience |
| ❌ | Mixed DLC reception with Shattered Space and Terran Armada receiving lukewarm responses |
How It Compares
| Game | Price | Key Features | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starfield | $69.99 | 1,000+ planets; ship-building; deep RPG systems | 83-85 (PC/Xbox), 78 (PS5) |
| No Man’s Sky | $29.99 | Seamless planet-to-space travel; survival; base-building | 61-83 (ongoing) |
| The Outer Worlds | $39.99 | Handcrafted worlds; story-driven RPG; companions | 85 |
Starfield is a fundamentally different experience from No Man’s Sky. While No Man’s Sky offers seamless planet-to-space flight and a focus on survival and exploration, Starfield is a traditional Bethesda RPG set in space. Compared to The Outer Worlds, Starfield is larger in scale but weaker in narrative and character development.
Who Should Buy This?
For Bethesda RPG fans: If you loved Skyrim and Fallout, you will feel at home in Starfield. It is the same formula, just in space.
For players who love ship-building and customization: The shipbuilding system is a genuine highlight and one of the game’s best features.
For players who value player-driven exploration: The game rewards curiosity and lets you carve your own path.
For players who dislike loading screens: The game relies heavily on fast travel and loading screens, which can break immersion.
For players seeking a tight, well-paced narrative: The main story is flat and forgettable, and the characters are underdeveloped.
THE GLH RATING
Our Take: After spending hours navigating the Settled Systems, building ships, and chasing that elusive Bethesda magic, we came away with a complicated relationship with Starfield. The game is a stunning achievement in scale and ambition, but it is also a frustrating exercise in what could have been. The ship-building is excellent, the Free Lanes update has finally made exploration feel engaging, and the sheer volume of content is staggering. But the flat main story, repetitive procedural content, and relentless loading screens hold it back from the greatness of Bethesda’s best work. It is a game that demands patience and rewards persistence, but it is not for everyone.
Overall Score: 7.3 / 10
★★★★☆
Verdict: GOOD
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | 7.5 / 10 |
| Story & Presentation | 6.5 / 10 |
| Performance & Polish | 7.0 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 8.0 / 10 |
| Replayability | 8.5 / 10 |
FAQ
Is Starfield worth buying?
Yes, if you are a fan of Bethesda RPGs and are willing to embrace a game that prioritizes scale and freedom over narrative polish. The game has a 78-85 Metascore and offers hundreds of hours of content. However, the mixed user reception (5.6-5.8 on Metacritic, 58% on Steam) reflects the game’s divisive nature.
Is Starfield worth it on PS5?
Yes. The PS5 version is the most polished version of the game, running at a smooth 60fps with excellent DualSense integration. However, some players have reported crashes and freezes. If you are a PS5 player, this is the best way to experience the game.
How long to beat Starfield?
The main story takes around 25-30 hours. If you explore side content, you can easily spend 60-100 hours. Completionist runs can exceed 200 hours.
Is Starfield worth full price?
At $69.99, the game offers exceptional value for the amount of content. However, if you are unsure, consider waiting for a sale. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass.
Is Starfield better than No Man’s Sky?
They are fundamentally different games. Starfield is a traditional Bethesda RPG with deep narrative and RPG systems. No Man’s Sky is a survival and exploration game with seamless space travel. If you prefer narrative-driven RPGs, Starfield is the better choice. If you prefer seamless exploration, No Man’s Sky is superior.
Is Starfield still buggy?
The game has been significantly improved since launch, with numerous patches and updates. However, bugs and technical issues still persist, particularly on PC.
Do I need to play the DLCs to enjoy Starfield?
No. The base game offers hundreds of hours of content. The DLCs (Shattered Space and Terran Armada) add new content but are not essential to the core experience. However, the Free Lanes update (which is free) is highly recommended as it significantly improves exploration.
Conclusion
Starfield is a game of staggering ambition and frustrating execution. It is a sprawling, beautiful, and deeply flawed space epic that has divided players and critics alike. Its scale is immense, its ship-building and combat are genuinely engaging, and the Free Lanes update has finally made exploration feel less like a chore. But the flat main story, repetitive procedurally generated content, shallow characters, and relentless loading screens hold it back from the greatness of Bethesda’s best work.
It is a game that demands patience and rewards persistence. For die-hard Bethesda fans, it is an essential experience. For everyone else, it is a game that is worth playing, but not without its frustrations. It is not Skyrim in space, and it is not No Man’s Sky. It is something in between, and that is both its greatest strength and its most glaring weakness.
Final recommendation: Buy it if you are a Bethesda RPG fan willing to embrace its rough edges. Otherwise, wait for a sale.
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