Starfield: Shattered Space – Everything You Need to Know

As a seasoned space explorer with over two decades of intergalactic voyages under my belt, I must say, the upcoming expansion for Starfield, Shattered Space, has piqued my curiosity like never before. Having traversed countless galaxies and encountered numerous factions, I can’t help but feel drawn to this enigmatic House Va’ruun and their internal struggles.


As a passionate fan, I couldn’t contain my excitement when Bethesda Game Studios announced that they would be providing ongoing support for the captivating space-odyssey game, Starfield, with new content even after its release. While it may not have had the immediate impact of some previous Bethesda titles (though personally, I was smitten), the anticipation was high. Already, we’ve seen a few free updates, with more on the horizon, but what really piqued my interest is the upcoming first major paid expansion – Shattered Space.

STORY

Starfield’s original game featured multiple factions within its space-themed environment, and while House Va’ruun didn’t play a significant role in the game or storyline, it is poised to become more prominent with Shattered Space. The expansion will kick off as players discover an abandoned spacecraft called The Oracle, which warns you to keep away and not enter. Naturally, this piques your curiosity, leading you to ignore the warning and step aboard. From there, players will find themselves inexplicably guided towards House Va’ruun’s home planet.

SETTING

In the space opera titled “Starfield,” House Va’ruun’s home world, Va’ruun’kai, was only mentioned a couple of times. However, it will be in the game “Shattered Space” where we can finally explore this planet ourselves. Upon landing on the planet, players will discover that the residents of House Va’ruun have chosen to live isolated from other human races for an extended period. Unfortunately, their experiments with gravitational propulsion technology went awry, causing widespread destruction across the planet, which you must now confront.

According to Bethesda, when you reach the planet in Starfield, the majority of the gameplay will unfold there. This is because, unlike previous games where players often traveled from one planet to another, this time the organic exploration and emergent design that Bethesda RPGs are famous for might not be as prevalent. Instead, Shattered Space aims to provide a massive, single location that will encompass most of the expansion’s content, offering a more focused gameplay experience.

OVER 50 NEW LOCATIONS

It’s uncertain yet whether the planet of Va’ruun’kai will be bigger or smaller than other planets crafted for Starfield, but according to Bethesda, it appears quite extensive. The developers have hinted that the expansion will introduce over 50 new locations for players to discover and traverse across Va’ruun’kai. Throughout this planet, you may also encounter gravitational anomalies called Vortexes, each presenting unique difficulties (to be discussed further).

DAZRA

In the game titled “Shattered Space,” one key area players will delve into is Dazra, a metropolis that stands as Va’ruun’kai’s capital and the central hub of power for the entire faction. Players should prepare to spend significant time in this city, as Bethesda has hinted at ample opportunities for exploration, discovery, and more. Additionally, the land vehicle Rev-8, previously introduced to “Starfield” without charge in August, will be functional throughout Dazra and the rest of the planet.

HORROR ELEMENTS

In the journey through “Shattered Space”, you can anticipate a change in atmosphere compared to the original game. In fact, Bethesda is assuring players of a more suspenseful and horror-infused adventure. Previously, encounters with House Va’ruun in the base game hinted at a touch of horror, and it appears that this element will be significantly amplified throughout “Shattered Space”, creating a chilling experience from start to finish.

FILLING IN THE GAPS

In the enigmatic and vague House Va’ruun of Starfield’s original experience, it served as a captivating yet puzzling element in both setting and backstory. However, with this faction assuming a more significant role in Shattered Space, there’s a strong likelihood that many of these mysteries will be addressed and solved. As confirmed by Bethesda and Microsoft, the expansion will provide clarification on the missing pieces in the base game’s narrative, shedding light on why House Va’ruun chose isolation from humanity and the consequences this choice had for the faction as a whole.

NEW ENEMIES

In “Starfield: Shattered Space,” players will encounter various factions within House Va’ruun, some of which are experiencing internal strife due to their current crisis. However, these factions won’t be your only adversaries. Bethesda has announced that the expansion will introduce entirely new enemies as well, such as the Redeemed and Vortex Horrors – fearsome creatures from other dimensions that have invaded Va’ruun’kai following their failed experiments.

NEW WEAPONS AND GEAR

It’s not surprising that in Starfield: Shattered Space, players might discover and employ fresh equipment and weaponry, considering it’s a role-playing game. However, the specifics about these additions are still under wraps, so we don’t have all the details yet. One new piece of gear that has been mentioned is the Vortex Grenade, which may hint at us wielding new weapons based on House Va’ruun’s research into gravitational drive technology.

CHOICE AND CONSEQUENCE MECHANICS

In any Bethesda RPG, choice and consequence mechanics play a significant role, and Starfield: Shattered Space will follow suit. Bethesda has hinted at numerous choices for players during their journey through the expansion, with decisions made potentially shaping the broader galaxy once Shattered Space is completed. However, it’s worth noting that Bethesda has stated that Shattered Space is primarily a standalone experience, meaning its story likely won’t impact the main game, and vice versa. Keep this in mind as you explore!

LENGTH AND SCOPE

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder about the scale of the upcoming expansion for “Shattered Space”. Given Bethesda’s reputation, it’s no secret that we’re in for a substantial addition to an already expansive game. In an interview with MrMattyPlays this year, director Todd Howard hinted at the expansion being on par with the critically acclaimed “Far Harbor” DLC for “Fallout 4”. This suggests we might be looking at around 10-20 hours of gameplay, depending on how deeply you dive into its optional content. Howard stated, “Content-wise, we’re looking at something similar to what we did with Far Harbor on Fallout 4.” He further added that this scope is ideal for their annual story expansions and allows them to create a unique alien world for exploration, while still giving us a taste of the upcoming “Starfield” experience.

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2024-09-20 14:41