Starfield Steam Reviews Drop To “Mostly Negative”

Starfield, the recent release from Bethesda Game Studios, is facing a divisive reception, with its recent Steam reviews being labeled “mostly negative.” The game, which already had a mixed reception post-launch, is encountering criticism related to performance issues, “bland” game design, and perceived disappointment compared to Bethesda’s previous successes.

Key Points

1. Steam Reviews:
   • Starfield’s recent Steam reviews are largely negative, with almost 7,500 recent reviews criticizing the game’s performance and game design.
   • Many players express disappointment, citing a boring and repetitive experience, and some feel that their time and money were wasted.
2. Specific Criticisms:
   • Criticisms include concerns about the game’s performance, “bland” game design, and a perceived lack of excitement compared to Bethesda’s previous titles.
   • Players mention a sense of wasted potential, with some expressing the view that the game falls short of expectations.
3. User Review Comparison:
   • While Starfield has more positive reviews than negative in total (84,321 vs 48,169 at the time of writing), the recent negative reviews represent a significant decline from Bethesda’s usual reception for single-player RPG releases like Skyrim and Fallout 4.
4. Bethesda’s Response:
   • Bethesda was observed responding to negative reviews on Steam, offering arguments against some of the points raised by players.
   • One example is when a player complained about planets being empty and boring, to which Bethesda responded that some planets are “empty by design,” drawing a comparison to the moon being empty.
5. The Game Awards Nominations:
   • Starfield received two nominations at The Game Awards: Players’ Voice (eliminated in the first round) and Best RPG, losing the latter to Baldur’s Gate 3.
   • The nomination and subsequent loss contributed to the ongoing conversation around Starfield’s reception and comparisons with other RPG titles.

Conclusion

Starfield’s “mostly negative” recent Steam reviews highlight a divided reception among players, with criticisms focusing on performance issues, game design, and perceived disappointment. Bethesda’s responses to negative reviews have added to the conversation, and the game’s performance at The Game Awards nominations has also fueled discussions comparing Starfield to other RPG titles. The ongoing discourse reflects the challenges faced by Starfield in meeting the expectations set by Bethesda’s previous successes.