Introduction

This week saw the release of the much-anticipated expansion for Starfield, titled Shattered Space, but instead of a triumphant return to the cosmos, it seems the gaming community is left feeling disappointed. In an era where redemption arcs are the norm—think No Man's Sky and Cyberpunk—or even remarkable expansions that enhance the core experiences like Shadow of the Erdtree and The Final Shape, Shattered Space fails to deliver on its promise.

Initial Reception

As early reviews from critics, YouTubers, and gamers pile up, one thing is clear: Shattered Space is not resonating with audiences. Notably, Bethesda opted not to provide advance review codes, creating an environment where everyone dove in simultaneously, resulting in an immediate evaluation of the content.

Comparative Metrics

To put the expansion's performance into perspective: - Starfield originally scored a respectable Metascore of 83. - In contrast, Shattered Space is floundering with a Metascore of just 54. - Player reviews tell a similar tale, with Starfield collecting 57% positive feedback on Steam, while Shattered Space languishes at 39% positive.

Player Engagement

YouTuber MrMattyPlays aptly summarized the situation, noting the alarming lack of engagement with the DLC. The peak of Shattered Space saw only 21,000 concurrent players on Steam—a significant drop compared to the 330,000 players that Starfield debuted with. For context, Cyberpunk 2077’s expansion Phantom Liberty saw an impressive player spike from 31,000 to 275,000 at launch.

Impact of Game Pass

It’s worth mentioning that Starfield is also part of Xbox Game Pass, which may have affected its visibility in player counts. Despite this, as of now, Starfield is absent from Xbox's Top 25 most-played games list, raising concerns over the interest level among gamers.

Future Implications

The lukewarm reception of Shattered Space could impact Bethesda's future plans for Starfield, particularly as the studio is keen to refocus resources on the upcoming Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5. Questions arise: will there be enough team effort dedicated to Starfield, and if so, can players expect more expansions that match the disappointing trend set by this one?

Conclusion

As we digest the reactions and implications from the launch of Shattered Space, the future of Starfield hangs in the balance. Will Bethesda pivot away from this charming but flawed universe, or will they make the necessary adjustments to rekindle player interest? Only time will tell.

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