Well, this is a bit unexpected. As big fans of Starfield, who had plenty good to say about the base game upon release, we were pretty sure that Shattered Space was going to be a slice of DLC that was right up our intergalactic street.
Sure, there were plenty of reasons to be irked with this hugely-anticipated sci-fi universe when it originally launched, and we totally get why some other outlets chose to score it lower than we did back at the time - Starfield was a big, messy thing, and it's been a real love it/hate it affair all over. Of course, all of these various issues are well-documented by now, there's no need to regurgitate everyone's dissatisfactions, but the one thing we were convinced of due to the mixed reaction, was that Bethesda would use the first major expansion for its beleaguered game as a chance to refresh, rework and reintroduce players to an experience revitalised.
There was an expectation that this would be best-foot-forward time. However, what we've actually got with Shattered Space is a roughly 15-hour fix of very average narrative content, set in a new environment that does very little to impress. Yep. It sucks to say, but Shattered Space is a disappointment on nearly every level, and it's one that begins to annoy as soon as you boot into it - if, indeed, you can even get it started in the first place.
Rather than grabbing returning players and new recruits by the scruff of their spacesuits with some awe-inspiring opening sequence that showcases the very best of Starfield (or even by refreshing them with regards to the game's rather overwhelming controls), Bethesda has instead decided to run with a zero-gravity shootout that's sure to have everyone tearing their hair out from the word go.
It's a terrible way to welcome anyone to Starfield, we hate zero gravity - especially against cheap, warping enemies - and, once the gravity is turned back on, things never really take off, or add anything of worth to the base experience. We've still awarded Shattered Space an "average" score, and that's all based on the fact that we enjoy the core shooting and exploring - remember, plenty of folk don't even like these parts - but everything else here just feels very badly judged.
The new narrative strand sees you, once again, framed as a very special messiah of sorts who everyone knows and recognises (it's getting a little old now, Bethesda). You receive a distress beacon from The Oracle space station, which has warped into your view in full-on emergency mode, and then set off on a quest that takes you in and around every nook and cranny of the DLC's new chunk of space, Va'ruun'kai. This new planet is definitely an upgrade over those you'll have explored in the base game; it's busier, better organised into districts, and it's also got a fairly impressive city in the form of Dazra, which is initially interesting enough to encourage some excitement.
But then it all just flaps around for 15 hours. Where are all the dazzling set-pieces or meaningful changes? Where are the big surprises or new mechanics? Heck, where are all the new ships and guns and new companions? Where are the interesting new enemies? It's all very auto-pilot in its vibe, this DLC. Jeezo. It feels more like a shrug than a proper attempt to redress the balance, especially given how much flak Bethesda got on initial release.
We don't want to spoil the plot, we won't go into detail on the story, but it's just not up to much. The acting is odd in places - we even had a discussion about how weird it sounded, in fact - the gunplay hasn't seen any changes, and there's been no dice on any of the stuff we actually thought we'd see, like genuinely new biomes or even actually unique enemies (these ones are reskins). Surely now is the time, Bethesda, to do something cool. Another bite at the cherry? No?
The best thing about Shattered Space, in the end, is the new map. That's how bland this DLC is. The new map is a bit better than the old maps. That's your lot. The opportunity to do anything interesting hasn't been taken, we've got no meaningful upgrades or additions to any aspect of the huge experience that is Starfield, and as a result are more than ready to put this one to bed. It does sort of seem as though that's what Bethesda has decided to do too, to be fair.
Finally, and with regards to performance, there are consistent framerate issues in the balanced 40fps mode on Xbox Series X. Jetpacking across open terrain results in fairly egregious stuttering, for example, and we also ran into plenty of bugs, with one workbench sending us back to the console's dash and another getting us stuck in a loop that we had to shut the game down to rectify.
We've also got braindead enemies who stand still during scraps, NPCs wandering into conversations, texture glitches and falling through scenery are, of course, all present at points too. So, not a great report in terms of how they've fixed the performance, either.
There are other problems, stuff like the fact your companion has no idea of the current mission when you interact with them, instead continuing to talk about whatever previous mission you happened to be on before jumping into the DLC. You can exhaust their conversation options, but it never fixes itself...so yeah, that sort of breaks immersion. And it's indicative of how much effort it feels has been put in all over with this one in general. What a shame.
Conclusion
Starfield: Shattered Space is a big disappointment in almost every way. We loved the base game, for all its flaws, and we were willing this to be the big, exciting DLC drop that'd make us love it all over again. However, what we've got here is a very average narrative expansion that fails to add any big choices, upgrades, new enemies, biomes, loot or anything that could potentially excite or draw in new players. It's buggy, janky, badly acted in places, and there are a myriad of bugs and performance issues to be ironed out. What a missed opportunity.
Comments 47
Same score my buddy gave it after playing it for about 10 hours. I'm convinced that Microsoft (and/or the developers they own) have lost the ability to make great exclusive games.
At least, the wallpaper was cool.
Very nice tagline there.
Sounds like a 9.99$/29.99$ DLC. 🤷♂️
@PsBoxSwitchOwner Thank you. I am VERY CLEVER.
dang, what a shame
I'm so sad for Xbox and the way things have gone.
Everything was pointing to a generation where they would start the big come back, Sony were making odd decisions all over the place and Xbox had a feature rich piece of hardware with options and consumer friendly ideas.
But it has just all gone so wrong in so so many ways.
If Black Ops 6 isn't a total banger I don't know where this leads. It is such a mess now.
I do like the way that big building in the artwork sort of has a PS5 shape to it...
At this point, this team at Bethesda has just lost the ability to make good games. I genuinely feel bad for fans of these titles. Like, what faith can anyone have that ES6 won't be a mess? What about the next Fallout? Just a bummer all around.
@Bigmanfan this exactly.
I just hope ID keep up the good work with Doom and Machine games make something of Indiana Jones
I 100% agree with this review. I just wrapped up shattered space about an hour ago and all I could think is I paid $30 for this? Just mediocre all around
I'd love to comment on my opinion of the dlc , but I can't because I can't even get my game to start , also apparently the loadings got worse , what an absolute mess for a flagship title.
I finished the story in the DLC yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Running through the extra sidequests now and still have a few misc achievements left. I understand every criticism mentioned here (except for gamebreaking bugs as I havent encountered any, yet). I'd give it a 7.
This is such a bad take id swear it was by a one brand Sony fans.(Btw I do have a PS5, its just very boring compared to the SX) .
Starfield expansion ---9/10
-from someone actually playing the game
Also, no bugs at all for me on the SX
> there's no need to regurgitate everyone's dissatisfactions
This should be a warning label on every video game comment thread on the internet. I swear people constantly go out of their way to always bring up this game and everything they don't like about it - even completely out of context.
I can’t be bothered anymore.
@Krazee5255 Yeah I heavily disagree with this review, which is nothing new for me considering the critic.
@Krazee5255 So explain why its a bad take. What does the dlc do different or better to make it stand out from the base game. Did the reviewer miss some new mechanic or system?
Give some context to your comment please.
“very average narrative content”
Sounds like the main game.
Oof. What has happened to Bethesda? They used to make amazing worlds. Now they make this.
@Medic_alert It will be a total banger.
Because it is multiplat.
Just stay on nintendolife or pushquare at this point, giving 9/10 to Concord. I just can't at this point
That's the kind of content that makes me sure PureXbox editorial is formed mostly by Xbox haters.
The game is great, so is the expansion, way far from 5/10. Its an honest 9/10.
I haven't finished the DLC yet, but I think the start is good, because if this game is a game with space elements and Nasa punk, I think missions in zero gravity are extremely welcome.
I'm sorry, but you have to be absolutely irrational if you think an Xbox fan site is intentionally disparaging an Xbox branded game because Sony.
Most of the fan reviews I've seen that think it's brilliant have 350+ hours and adore Starfields base game. Or feel the same way as PJ and are devastated with how lazy it is
@Medic_alert I think it allows for critical negotiation decisions for the Xbox, but in terms of games, I think they are at a good pace, as they had a prominent Xbox Showcase and by 2025 they intend to launch Avowed, South of Midnight, Fable and Doom.
@Romans12 I think there are a lot of talented people within Xbox and I think they are at a good pace, as they made a prominent Xbox Showcase and by 2025 they intend to release Avowed, South of Midnight, Fable and Doom.
This review is waaay off the mark imo. To the point that i wonder if they actually played the expansion or just rushed through it for the review.
Also: "No effort to dazzle or convert naysayers" should never be a goal for developers let alone a point of criticism in a review.
As time passes PureXbox becomes more and more like it's sister site PushSquare. As in completely unreliable outside of just reporting news.
People saying it’s off the mark need to go read a few of the other reviews out there - they are saying similar things.
@Syndrome
"No effort to dazzle or convert naysayers"
What? That's been the hope for a lot of DLC's, the whole redemption arc.
Starfield is extremely devisive, and with new, F76, Cyberpunk, NMS, the're were distinct points made to whether it made games worth revisiting.
I really don't get why people insist on living in Echo chambers..... people have differing opinions 🤐
Currently has a worse Metascore than Concord. Sick of this.
@eduscxbox
Yes, everyone working on PureXbox is secretly a Sony fanboy. Sure.
Or, Starfield isnt that good. Hate to say it but its true.
So far I think it’s been OK, but nothing more, which is a real shame. But the biggest issue is it’s £29.99. At that cost I was hoping for a proper meaty expansion, something like Far Harbour, Dawnguard or Shivvering Isles, but it’s not remotely close to that so far. £14.99 would be far more fair for what you get.
@Shalooda I was thinking the same about load times, they seem longer than I remember. Some are shorter than others but loading into the game takes an age for this gen. Had a few crashes and bugs too, but had those in the base game.
I think 5 is really harsh. The main game is, for me, one of the best space games ever made and is a massive world. I think the DLC just adds even more to explore and to so.
I don’t actually see much difference between this and many brilliant Bethesda games that have gone before yet this gets so much harsh treatment and I’ve still yet to work out why.
@Sifi Are you referring the scre that matters on metacritic, user score, which shows or 7.2 vs 1.7?
Or are you talking about the critics score, that only has 4 reviews for Shattered space while Concord has over 10x the reviews at 46?
Seems like a fairly disingenuous comment.
And this is from someone that is well known for pointing out Xbox's faults. Much to the chagrin of some here.
9/10 on Xbox Era and reads like a review to a totally different game!
Gaming Bible 8/10...
I won't get to play this til back from holiday but purexbox do seem to be far harsher than most in the review...
@InterceptorAlpha the score from reviewers who've played them.
Wow, they really went all out on this one! "Very average" is not going to be a big selling point for future DLC's!
Maybe we all expected too much from Starrfield as a new IP ...
Nah-field. Shame this game was such a disappointment day 1.
@Sifi Shattered Space only has 4 reviews from "critics" which seems to be the one you're interested. Concord has 46. Over a 10x difference.
You'll need to wait until more reviews are there because 4 is hardly a sample.
This is getting too many mixed reviews, both from critics and players, to just drop £30 on it. I’ll wait until it’s 50% off in a sale then I’ll buy it.
@InterceptorAlpha Will gladly be proved wrong. I wanted this to be good but 5/10 from PX and 58% not recommended from owners on Steam doesn't bode well
@Marvineternus you say that but we already have the first disappointment with Avowed - that it targets 30fps, this is a seriously disappointing feature of Xbox this gen so far. Sony have sussed this out, you at least need to give the option.
Doom is multi-platform and I would not be surprised to see the new one on the new Switch.
I pray Fable is great and lives up to its predecessors, but I really wouldn't put money on it. I just don't trust the Xbox studios any more.
@PsBoxSwitchOwner All Reviewers are off the mark because they disagree with the minority opinion that it's amazing.
@InterceptorAlpha Sifi here is a spoof account.
A hard defender of Xbox and despiser of anything Sony, changed their name from Sifi recently to Rog or something like that (as you can tell by every post)
Someone has taken it upon themselves to then have some fun and use the name Sifi to post the opposite of what they were like.
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