The video reflects on Starfield’s disappointing two-year legacy, highlighting its failure to meet expectations, dwindling player base, lack of modding support, and poorly received DLC. AZ criticizes Bethesda for delivering a dull, uninspired game that falls short of the adventurous spirit of their past hits, marking Starfield as a cautionary example of missed potential in AAA gaming.
The video marks the two-year anniversary of a famous rant about the game Starfield, reflecting on its disappointing reception and ongoing struggles. The creator, AZ from Heel versus Babyface, revisits his original frustration with the game, which began about eight hours into his gameplay during early access in September 2023. Despite Bethesda’s reputation for beloved titles like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls series, Starfield failed to live up to expectations. It was meant to be Todd Howard’s ambitious new IP, a space adventure with the same spirit as those franchises, but instead, it came across as dull, sterile, and uninspiring.
Starfield’s player base quickly dwindled after its launch peak of 330,000 concurrent players, dropping to around 19,500 just three months later, and now averaging about 7,000 players. This decline is stark compared to older Bethesda titles like Skyrim, which still maintain strong player engagement thanks to a vibrant modding community. Starfield, however, has failed to attract modders, who generally enhance games rather than fix fundamental flaws, signaling a lack of community support and enthusiasm.
The release of Starfield’s first DLC, Shattered Space, in late September 2024, did little to revive interest. The expansion was poorly received, scoring only a five on Metacritic with very few user reviews, and it barely boosted player numbers. Bethesda has announced plans for annual paid expansions, but none are expected this year, with the next possibly arriving in 2026. The game’s delayed release on PlayStation 5, due to Microsoft’s exclusivity decisions, further limits its audience and chances for resurgence.
Throughout the video, AZ expresses deep disappointment not just in the game itself but in Bethesda’s failure to deliver a worthy successor to their classic franchises. He criticizes the game for being lazy, uninspired, and lacking the adventurous spirit that made previous titles so engaging. The video underscores a broader frustration with AAA studios releasing half-hearted products that fail to meet the high standards set by their own past successes.
In conclusion, Starfield is portrayed as a significant failure for Bethesda and Todd Howard, a game that promised much but ultimately delivered little. Its legacy, according to AZ, is not one of innovation or excitement but of boredom and missed potential. Despite Bethesda’s plans to continue supporting the game, the video suggests it is unlikely to recover its initial hype or player base, cementing its place as a cautionary tale in the gaming industry.