Starfield: Shattered Space Review - A Cosmic Redemption?

Two years after its initial launch, Starfield's first major expansion, "Shattered Space," arrives with the weight of the galaxy on its shoulders. Does it deliver the deep, narrative-driven RPG experience fans have been clamoring for? The short answer is yes.

Return to the Void

Unlike the base game's sprawling, procedurally generated galaxy, Shattered Space focuses its entire runtime on a single, hand-crafted planet: Va'ruun'kai. This shift in design philosophy is immediately apparent and deeply welcome. Every crater, ruin, and city street feels intentional, telling environmental stories that were largely absent from the base game's 1,000 planets.

The narrative centers on House Va'ruun, the mysterious snake-worshipping faction that remained largely an enigma in the main campaign. We finally get to pull back the curtain on their culture, politics, and the terrifying "Great Serpent" they worship. The writing here is sharper, darker, and more morally ambiguous than anything in the main questline.

New Toys, New Dangers

Combat has received a significant tune-up. The new "Void" powers add a layer of tactical depth that synergizes beautifully with existing mechanics. Teleporting behind enemies, creating gravity wells, and manipulating time feel powerful and satisfying. The expansion also introduces new weapon archetypes, including the devastating particle beam cannons that melt through shields like butter.

However, it's not all smooth sailing. The engine still shows its age, with occasional frame rate dips in the bustling capital city of Dazra. While the facial animations have been improved, they still lag behind industry leaders like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon Forbidden West.

The Verdict

Shattered Space is exactly what Starfield needed. It trades the mile-wide, inch-deep approach for a focused, dense, and narrative-rich experience that reminds us why we fell in love with Bethesda RPGs in the first place.