Starfield Dev Reveals Why Shattered Space DLC Feels So Familiar To Bethesda Fans

Shattered Space Take those already Starfield community by storm however Part of the expansion’s success may be due to lifting some design principles from one of Bethesda’s most beloved role-playing games.. embracing a theme of cosmic horror, Shattered Spaces environments are a far cry from the base game that champions a more optimistic take on interstellar exploration. In particular, the city of Dazra has drawn many comparisons to an iconic Elder scrolls game and it seems that sense of familiarity is intentional.

Per Gamesradar +Bethesda design director Emil Pagliarulo noted that Dazra, the capital of House Wroon which was introduced in Shattered Space, Took plenty of inspiration from The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind:

“I think it’s really unique fictionally and aesthetically, especially when you compare it to the other cities in the game. It tells the story of a human faction that’s at the edge of ‘normal’ civilization. Pushing the boundaries of the Game’s NASAPunk aesthetic, certainly, but also, on a lot of levels, pushing the boundaries of what is and isn’t culturally acceptable. Morrowind and its themes and overall vibe were a big inspiration.”

Morrowind stands out among these Elder scrolls Settings such as a bleak swampland that is seen as a “weird” version of​​​​​​the more traditional fantasy setting of the franchise. Dazra, and by extension the entire planet of Va’ruun’kai, is undoubtedly the strangest place in StarfieldGive fans exactly what they wanted from the original game.

What else inspired Shattered Space?

Less NASA-punk, more Klingon

Morrowind‘s influence on Shattered Space is plain to see for anyone who knows their way around the third main line Elder scrolls But the DLC evokes several other franchises. The hostility and brutality of Warun’kai continued. Star TrekSpecifically the Klingon home worldAccording to Pagliarulo. Although the design director does not mention this, it is not difficult to see either Battlestar Galacticas impact on the aesthetic of House Va’ruun’s home world.

Bethesda made it clear from the beginning that Shattered Space He sought to escape in horror, embracing the inherent fear of exploring new worlds in an unknown region of the galaxy. Its purpose is definitely achieved as The expansion is, overall, an incredibly eerie experience populated by strange monsters and enemies that wouldn’t have fit into the vision of the base game of the future. The pivot in aesthetics may be drastic, but it all works together to paint an appropriately sinister picture of House Va’ruun.

Is Shattered Space worth your time?

It’s an easy win for fans

Shattered Space Does many things right and It is already considered one of the best DLCs Bethesda has ever released But it likely won’t be enough to bring back lapsed players. Fans who have already spent hours exploring the universe in Starfield Should check it out since the amount of additional content is worth the price of admission. After all, those who can’t stand the clunky gameplay and abundant loading screens probably won’t be swayed by the expansion.

Source: Gamesradar +