Luke Stevens critiques Bethesda’s recent Starfield update as minor and insufficient, highlighting ongoing gameplay issues, poor communication, and controversial paid mod policies that have disappointed the community. He predicts an upcoming expansion and PS5 port but urges fans to hold Bethesda accountable to avoid repeating these problems in future releases like Elder Scrolls 6.
In this video, Luke Stevens discusses the recent update to Bethesda’s Starfield, which he describes as underwhelming and minor, focusing mainly on small improvements like the in-game store interface and bug fixes. Despite months of silence, the update fails to address major gameplay issues or add substantial new content, leading to disappointment within the community. Luke compares revisiting Starfield to visiting a distant, grumpy relative—something you do out of obligation rather than enjoyment.
Luke highlights the ongoing issues with Starfield, such as repetitive points of interest, poor level scaling, and a lackluster expansion called Shattered Space, which was widely criticized for its short length and lack of depth. He contrasts this with a fan-made mod, Watchtower, which offers a richer experience and has been well-received, even surpassing Bethesda’s official expansion in quality. The video also touches on Bethesda’s controversial approach of selling paid mods through their in-game store, where modders receive only a fraction of the revenue, raising concerns about the ethics of monetizing fixes for problems Bethesda never fully addressed.
The video delves into Bethesda’s communication—or lack thereof—with the Starfield community. Despite claims from Bethesda that they are listening and have exciting plans, there has been little transparency or meaningful engagement. Key figures like Todd Howard and Emil Pagliarulo have avoided addressing the game’s criticisms directly, opting instead for vague or dismissive responses. This has fueled frustration among fans, with some developers even leaving social media platforms due to the backlash.
Looking forward, Luke predicts that Bethesda will soon announce a second expansion for Starfield alongside a PlayStation 5 port, likely bundled as a complete edition priced around $80. He believes this will mark the end of Starfield’s active development, as Bethesda shifts focus toward Elder Scrolls 6. However, he remains skeptical about the future, suggesting that the core issues with Bethesda’s development and community handling may persist into their next major release.
Ultimately, Luke calls for the community to hold Bethesda accountable, warning that allowing the current model of releasing buggy games and monetizing fixes through paid mods could set a troubling precedent for future titles. He hopes Bethesda will learn from their mistakes and deliver a truly polished and engaging Elder Scrolls 6, but remains cautious given the company’s track record. The video ends with a mix of resignation and hope, encouraging viewers to stay engaged and vocal about their expectations.