Starfield, Bethesda’s ambitious space RPG released in 2023, has garnered a lukewarm reception from critics and gamers alike. Although the game boasts a significant player base, the overall feedback has been mixed. Nonetheless, there are indications that a potential sequel could rectify the shortcomings observed in the original title. Bruce Nesmith, a former designer at Bethesda, has expressed optimism about Starfield 2, suggesting it would be “one hell of a game” that will enhance the foundations laid by its predecessor.
Potential Enhancements in Starfield 2
In an interview with Video Gamer, Nesmith, who departed from the company in 2021, hinted that the sequel would tackle many of the issues voiced by players of the original Starfield.
“I’m looking forward to Starfield 2. I think it’s going to be one hell of a game because it’s going to address a lot of the things people are saying, ‘We’re quite there. We’re missing a little bit.’ It will be able to take what’s in there right now and put in a lot of new stuff and fix a lot of those problems,” he stated in a feature published on Friday.
Nesmith further elaborated on how new intellectual properties often face challenges at launch, even when they hold great potential. He noted that subsequent sequels frequently expand on initial concepts and deliver significant improvements. “If you look at the first Dragon Age, the first Assassin’s Creed, the first game in a lot of IPs, they tend to show off flashes of brilliance amid a lot of other things that don’t quite catch everybody’s eye,” he remarked. “No, they’re not quite as hot and popular. It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything.”
The designer also referenced the evolution of Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series, highlighting how The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion built upon The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and how The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim offered remarkable enhancements over its predecessor.
While Bethesda has yet to announce any plans for a Starfield sequel, a follow-up seems likely at some point. The studio is currently engaged in several projects, including the highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls 6.
In September, Bethesda unveiled Shattered Space, the first major expansion for Starfield. This addition, which takes place on a single planet and introduces new factions, weapons, armor, and various features, has not been well received by players. Current reviews for Starfield on Steam sit at “Mixed,” while Shattered Space has garnered a “Mostly Negative” rating on the platform.
