Since its debut in 2023, Starfield has carved out a niche as Bethesda’s most average game. While works like Skyrim have been celebrated with countless re-releases, Starfield has not garnered the same level of affection, even with Bethesda subtly dropping hints in its updates.

In a recent interview with FRVR, Bruce Nesmith, a former designer at Bethesda, reflected on the game’s potential and noted that its reliance on procedurally generated content led to a disconnect with player expectations associated with the studio’s RPGs. He acknowledged, “I think it’s a good game, but I don’t think it’s in the same calibre as the other two, Fallout or Skyrim.”

Starfield

Nesmith believes the limitations of procedural generation detracted from the richness expected in a Bethesda title. He stated that many areas felt monotonous and underwhelming, citing how the planets could become too similar, ultimately leading to a loss of excitement during exploration.

Reflecting more broadly, he expressed frustration at the limited variety of serious opponents faced in-game, suggesting that this affected the overall storytelling and engagement. He concluded, “space is inherently boring,” referring to how players found less motivation to explore what should be exciting new worlds. His insights highlight the challenges faced when beloved studios try to innovate while maintaining their core identity.