Starfield: Shattered Space

Bethesda Facts: Legally known as Bethesda Softworks LLC is an American video game publisher based in Rockville, Maryland, USA,. The company was founded by Christopher Weaver in 1986 as a division of Media Technology Limited. In 1999, it became a subsidiary of ZeniMax Media. In its first 15 years, it was a video game developer and self-published its titles.

To people like you and me, however, Bethesda is the creator of Top Rank games, such as the ever popular "Skyrim" (along with all the Adons and DLC's), as well as "No Man's Sky" and the "Fallout" franchise. Though undoubtedly, one true starter game goes without question as to its groundbreaking arrival to early gamer's, and that is "The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion" which brought me thousands of hours of triumphant bloody wins throughout Morrowind. Brace yourselves, winter is coming.

Today, having followed that road of success with Bethesda, I'm finding the walk a little sluggish, to say the least. Starfield (base game) came with a lot (lots and lots) of promises from the Developer, saying that the in-game would be revolutionary, as well as many mechanics being the first time ever to be introduced into a video game. The selling pitch was made and millions of fans and first time gamer's bought into it. Because that is what gamer's do when being promised a "Life changing experience" - That is still yet to come.

Open world games attract gamer's, as well as those who have to lose their cherries first time around in the realms of digital entertainment. There is no one person who could say they are not impressed with 1,000+ planets, moons, ice and gas giants, even if they are left skeptical - And it is this that opens up those curiosities for truth. But, what is the truth of Starfield?

One fan on YouTube quoted: Bethesda admits that Starfield is too well crafted.

There is no such thing as "The Perfect Game", its true, this term is commonly known as "Today's Great Fad is just more of tomorrows news". If "The Perfect Game" existed, then why are there more than 1,000,000 games still being designed and created? Starfield is above average on any of the main Top Lists, of course it is, but the true potential to make Starfield and its DLC's a place for players to frequent as a means of solace, action or bringing in a bounty, is beyond belief - beyond my belief, even, and I think I've just designed the very first "Grav-Drive"... Or maybe its a toaster! Who knows?

For me, as a dedicated player (and I think after 1,000+ hours game-play of "Starfield", I can actually say this), the very few glitches that have not yet been patched by updates, are, unfortunately, the sole reason that I now hesitate to play the game. Still, the "Ghost Echo" when being killed in space reoccurs, again and again. Problems with the Inventory; items not found in chests, lockers, ship inventory after sleeping for more than 900 hours (Venus). And, there is the most noted of all glitches, which encompasses the entire Planet Based Outposts and their missing ladders on the airlocks, the fickle Landing Pad that you're ship doesn't land on, or is missing, Work/Weapons/Pharmaceutical Bench alignment issues as some sink into the floor. One habitual offender to the whole "Off-world Colony Expectations" is the Items that the player uses to decorate the Hab's or Ship, which almost melt into tables, ledges and even the floors.

More so recent, many gamer's are reporting the game crashing out while they are playing. It is recommended - by Gamer's - to "Save/Quick save" as much as possible, especially when on an arduous level, such as "The Mantis", or "Endgame" which deliver quite a hefty reward upon the success of completing. This is the moment of focus that will stretch every players imagination with outstanding upgrades as to the character and the mechanics already gained.

And so, onto "Starfield: Shattered Space". After just 42 hours on this DLC, I have already turned to "Star Wars: Outlaws" for solace. I'm sorry, Bethesda, but, the way of "Shattered Space" is not in complex, drawn out dialogue, multitudes of cut scenes and a sprinkle of new weapons. I mean, when we look back over the decades since the days of "Burnout" and "Gran Turismo", developers and those of the publishers have taken on more programmers, and yet, the games have become a lot smaller - the means of making these "Base Games" bigger by DLC's limited by 'in-game purchasing' - and finally, releasing a game while glitches are known to exist, that in itself is a slap in the face of player's. Open world games are only good if they have no great area of "Nothingness", as most notable "Hogwart's Legacy" that had player's complaining of lots and lots of open land but nothing to do while occupying it.

Our world, whether you want to believe it or not, is only a quarter way into the "Digital Age" and already what the maker's are initiating is limitations at twice the cost of the "End User". More 'Subscriptions' are forced onto the Consumer, because being "Subscribed protects you more against worries we take care of for you." With so many great minds out there, many of whom have the potential of someday developing or creating the very first "Peta-byte Console" that has the refresh rate of even the lowest level of AI. Still, the height and width of that kind of technology would only bring the eventuality to those wealthy enough to afford one, right?

The good news is, however, I will not be putting this game inside a big box and hiding it away in a dark cupboard. Like I said, if (and when) there is something that comes along in regards of other game additions and fixes, then I may return. I guess introducing a Ranger Lawman scenario where The Brig on The Star Eagle can actually be used for captured bounties and other prisoners would be awesome, but, fixing those closed eyes of your NPC is more important! Maybe even a unique ship that is awarded when joining "The Tracker's Alliance", or another epic mission like "Mantis" which surely rewards you with the best of any capable ship in the Starfield, obviously one that you have to upgrade.

There's a 'Tipping Point' in everything, in every society, in every community that you happen to venture. While the war for digital supremacy rages across the games manufacturers and their affiliates to become "Top of the Pops", their eyes are less focused on what the Consumers believe to be a "Simplistic and Fair" approach to business in a fast moving super highway of advanced technology. A humble man will sip from the drying well so that other's may benefit - An ambitious man whose search is for power will alone drink it dry to succeed in his goal. Its not the best analogy, though I believe it speaks volumes.