Starfield is considered a “solid game” by Bruce Nesmith, a former systems designer on the project, although he believes it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the Fallout and Elder Scrolls franchises due to its reliance on procedural generation and the monotony associated with space exploration.

Starfield represents Bethesda’s first new franchise in over 25 years after their successful endeavors with Fallout and Elder Scrolls, yet its reception, both critically and commercially, fell short of the studio’s high standards.

“It’s a good game,” said Nesmith. “But I wouldn’t place it alongside the likes of Fallout or Skyrim. I take pride in my contributions, as well as the efforts of my colleagues. They’ve crafted a notable game.”

Nesmith suggested that if Starfield had been launched by a different studio, it might have been perceived in a more favorable light, given the expectations that come with the Bethesda name.

According to him, the game’s major hurdle lies in its procedural generation, which led to the creation of numerous similar planets for players to explore.

“As a huge space enthusiast and amateur astronomer, I was heavily involved in the astronomical data for Starfield,” stated Nesmith. “However, space itself can be fundamentally dull. It’s often described as emptiness. The thrill of exploration isn’t found in that vast nothingness, in my view.”

“When the planets start to blend together and fail to evoke excitement, that’s where the game stumbles,” he elaborated. “I also felt let down that the primary adversaries were mostly human characters. There are plenty of intriguing alien creatures, yet they serve a role akin to the wolves in Skyrim—they don’t add much variety in terms of meaningful challenges or narrative opportunities.”

Nesmith expressed his amazement at Skyrim’s enduring popularity, acknowledging its innovative approach to open-world design.

“Skyrim revolutionized open-world gaming in ways few have attempted since,” he noted. “One of the key aspects we accepted, which many developers find difficult, is that this results in some peculiarities. Embracing these quirks can lead to something truly remarkable.”

Recently, the two-year anniversary of Starfield was acknowledged by Bethesda with a cryptic social media message, leading fans to speculate about potential downloadable content.

Additionally, Bethesda has hinted at an upcoming update that will introduce a revamped “cruise mode” for space travel, following information gleaned from data mining.

There is also anticipation surrounding the possible release of Starfield on PS5, which could rejuvenate interest in the game.