Starfield: Shattered Space Plummets to 'Mostly Negative' Reviews on Steam

Launched earlier this week, Starfield: Shattered Space initially garnered "Mixed" reviews on Steam. Even those who offered positive feedback expressed disappointment regarding the game's "Chosen One" narrative, the lack of substantial companions, the underdeveloped arc for Andreja, and its shorter gameplay length. However, as more players have shared their thoughts, the situation has only worsened.

The Controversial $30 Price Tag

Currently, Shattered Space holds a "Mostly Negative" rating with nearly 1,300 reviews. The more recent comments echo the same criticisms made at launch, but a new issue is surfacing—its $30 price tag.

One review asks, “How is this $30 of content? How can this be considered an expansion?” Another reviewer, despite being positive, states, “I don’t recommend the DLC for $30,” while a third advises, “Do not buy this at more than $10, maximum.”

A significant concern among fans, particularly on game forums and Reddit, is the authenticity of many reviews. Steam's system does not show 'hours played' for expansions, making it impossible to differentiate reviews from those who played the DLC versus those who have only played the base game. As a result, anyone who purchased the Premium Edition of Starfield at launch can leave a review for the DLC without having ever played it.

This loophole allows individuals to post negative reviews, skewing the overall rating without needing to even launch Starfield. While many reviews seem valid—citing bugs, storytelling issues, pricing complaints, and unengaging dialogue—there are also numerous comments stating, “I haven't played it, but Starfield sucks,” which undoubtedly affect the overall score.

Lackluster Player Statistics

Beyond the reviews, Starfield’s player statistics are underwhelming as well. The DLC peaked at a player count of 21,000. In comparison, Skyrim: Special Edition enjoys a monthly peak of 30,000 players, while Fallout 4 recently surpassed Starfield with a peak of 23,092. Given that Starfield released a new DLC this week, being outperformed by games that are a decade old reflects poorly on the title's current standing.