Starfield Shattered Space First Look Preview - Everything We Know
Aug. 23, 2024Starfield Shattered Space First Look Preview – Everything We Know
During this year’s Gamescom, we had the opportunity to attend a presentation forStarfield’s expansion Shattered Space. I want to share everything we learned about the upcoming expansion, which has me actually quite interested to see how things go. We will go into the expansion’s story, the release date of September 30th, and the new vehicle added to the base game, designed to improve exploration. The DLC promises to be an engaging continuation of theStarfielduniverse, with the new vehicle offering players a smoother way to traverse its landscapes.
Shattered Space: What’s new
The expansion that dives into the mysterious world of theVa’ruun, which is probably the most interesting but underused of the factions of the base game. This DLC focuses onVa’ruun‘kai and brings a fully hand-crafted experience, meaning that things aren’t being procedurally generated, and you will be able to experience the more traditional Bethesda feel that players were perhaps expecting from the base game. For example, the capital city ofDazrais said to be packed with interestinglocationsand hidden secrets.Lambemphasized that the entire expansion unfolds in this “bespoke” planet, allowing for a fully immersive experience without the need to travel across the galaxy.
The journey kicks off in an abandoned space station, leading players to theVa’ruunhomeworld,Va’ruun’kai, where they’ll uncover a catastrophic event with far-reaching consequences. Unlike the “positive and optimistic” tone of the base game, this narrative takes a darker, more complex turn. That is music to my ears as even thoughI enjoyed the main storyand the “house”questsof the base game, I’m always up for more obscure space horror mystery type of exploration. I’m also very interested to meet different factions withinHouse Va’ruunand hopefully face choices that will shape the events and the overall journey.
It was reiterated over and over again thatShattered Spaceis all about delivering a complete and focused experience, centered aroundDazra.Lambpointed out that the expansion captures that classic Bethesda vibe, where everything you need to get lost in the story is right there in this carefully crafted world. With newweapons,gear, anditems, the expansion also brings fresh gameplay elements that they hope may even change how you think aboutStarfield. This is very telling to me. I think the developers heard the masses loud and clear about the disappointment with interstellar travel and procedural locations, and are bringing focus back to what Bethesda does well and giving players a condensed story playground. I’m all for it!
One of the standout features ofShattered Spaceis the introduction of a newenemy, theVortex Horror. This creature comes from another dimension, crossing over into our world with powers that make it a formidable challenge, especially for lower-level players. It aims to add a real sense of danger to the expansion. These things looked really creepy and I want to think they may end up giving thatDeathclaw feel.
In general, I feel like Bethesda seems to be channeling the same atmosphere that fans of games likeFalloutlove, withDazrabeing a mysterious, dark, and harsh environment. This isn’t the “hopeful exploration” you find in the rest ofStarfield; instead, it’s a deep space narrative exploring how theVa’ruunhave survived outside the settled systems.
Alongside the expansion, players will also get access to a new vehicle in the original game: theREV-8, a land rover perfect for traversing the rugged landscape. To get your hands on the REV-8, you’ll need to visit a Ship Services Technician. I immediately thought “it’s theMakko!” by the way.
It is clear that the main objective of this vehicle is to make exploration easier and more fun. Again, I feel Bethesda have been listening to feedback and working on adapting to meet player expectations. So, let’s look at the perks of the Rev-8: First of all, your scanner range is doubled, making exploration more efficient. On low-gravity worlds, it’s often better to fly the vehicle rather than drive it, as low gravity impacts traction more than ice does. Plus, fast traveling to the buggy puts you right in the driver’s seat, ready to go.
The REV-8 also has some interesting quirks. It doesn’t seem to transfer collision or fall damage to its occupants, which adds an extra layer of safety. Its climbing ability is impressive too—if there’s a surface, the REV-8 can probably scale it, even a 90-degree sheer cliff face if you point it upward.
To make the most of its turret, you can invest in skills like Lasers, Heavy Weapons, and Demolitions, which will enhance its combat capabilities. And if you’re over-encumbered, no worries—you can still fast travel while inside the REV-8, making it a great solution for hauling heavy loads. The mounted laser isn’t just for defense either; it can harvest resources like Iron when you shoot at them.
One of the nicest touches is that companions can ride with you in the REV-8, and they even have unique voice lines for the experience, adding a bit more personality to your journey.
All in all, I am pleasantly surprised with the news of a tailor-made world and I’m genuinely curious to explore it. I know a lot of people had issues with the base game, so I’d like to hear how you feel about this and whether you’re planning on trying it out. I’m hoping to have a hands-on or review before launch for you, so if you’re on the fence I’ll do my best to get you more info for your decision down the line. Please share your thoughts below and let me know!
Castielle
Senior Editor at Fextralife. I enjoy gaming, playing and watching sports, cooking yummy food, watching a good movie and hanging out with Fex.
