Starfield: PS5 Review 

Developed by Bethesda Studios
Published by Bethesda Studios
Platform: PS5

Much like No Man's Sky at its initial launch, Starfield felt like it was a game-changer.

But stymied by comments about gameplay, about how it was a wannabe Skyrim in Space, the game seemed to wither, content to reel in only die-hard fans, rather than a wide user base. However, those who stuck with Starfield a year ago, have seen the game blossom into something that was a bit more than just the current fad and develop into something that's an enjoyable exploration experience.

So with the move to PlayStation 5, the game had a lot to live upto - but perhaps hype is the biggest weapon it faces.

It's worth noting that the latest iteration of the game - along with updates and also DLC - now sees it in its most decisive form as well as offering a game that anyone can dive into. 

Very occasionally still, planets feel empty and devoid of life, but for those looking to recapture the highs of space exploration once offered by the likes of Elite, Starfield still offers much to the casual traveller. With graphical fidelity boosted for the PS5 and solid RPG mechanics, it's perhaps unfair that Starfield has suffered by comparison - and it seems almost trite to dismiss it as solid, but that's what it is.

The game is really about travelling to planets, meeting people and creatures and finding your way in the universe and on that front, Starfield really delivers. The exploration's impressive, the mechanics work and the new Free Lanes DLC also helps you go from one setting to the next. Cruising between planets within a solar system brings friendly and hostile contact, but it all adds to the experience.

Perhaps Starfield itself won't ever be seen as a stellar entrant into the pantheon of space RPGs, but in this PlayStation format, the fact that it offers a high-quality game at its very best level following a few years of updates certainly makes it a worthwhile proposition to saddle up for.