Game-Changing Showdown: Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty vs Starfield's Shattered Space - Who Will Reign Supreme?

Highlights

The release of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty has brought redemption for the game, fixing past mistakes and delivering a fantastic RPG experience.

The release of Starfield: Shattered Space has been overshadowed by the success of Cyberpunk 2077, revealing flaws in Bethesda's RPG and adding pressure to its upcoming DLC pack.

To revive the focus on the sci-fi RPG, Starfield's Shattered Space DLC has the chance to address the game's issues. However, it should steer clear of Fallout 4's disappointing DLC approach and instead strive to replicate the success of Cyberpunk 2077's DLC.

September proved to be an exhilarating month for RPG enthusiasts, as the gaming industry showered them with delightful treats. PS5 players ecstatically delved into Baldur's Gate 3, while Xbox players savored the highly anticipated Starfield. Both consoles also received the eagerly awaited Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, which aimed to rectify the game's previous missteps and is showing impressive progress thus far.

However, the success of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty has cast a shadow of expectation upon Starfield: Shattered Space. Releasing a mere few weeks following Bethesda's RPG, it has taken the limelight away from the latter. Countless players have begun comparing and contrasting these two experiences, leveraging Cyberpunk 2077's recent triumph to uncover the flaws within Starfield. As a result, the game's initial major DLC offering must face the daunting task of impressing RPG aficionados upon its eventual release next year.

Starfield Shattered Space Has a Lot to Prove

Following the rocky launch of Cyberpunk 2077, the game's future appeared uncertain. However, CD Projekt Red remained committed to its improvement and successfully revamped the game through various bug fixes and the substantial 2.0 update. Furthermore, the Phantom Liberty DLC significantly expanded the game, incorporating exciting new content for players to explore. While it is important to acknowledge the studio's past mistakes, all of these improvements have helped Cyberpunk 2077 fulfill its original promise of being an exceptional RPG.

While Cyberpunk 2077's redemption is certainly impressive, it appears to overshadow Starfield to some extent. Although Starfield may be a notable success for Bethesda, its flaws seem more pronounced following the release of the Phantom Liberty DLC. The game had immense potential but unfortunately fell short in several areas. Nonetheless, it remains enjoyable and is undoubtedly one of the best games of the year, even though it does not offer a flawless experience.

Bethesda has not yet provided any information about the upcoming Shattered Space DLC for Starfield, as the base game has just been released. However, this DLC has the potential to address numerous issues within the game and refocus on the sci-fi RPG genre. If it can deliver an engaging storyline with minimal bugs, Shattered Space has the opportunity to greatly enhance the game. However, accomplishing this may prove challenging, particularly if the DLC follows the same model as Fallout 4's DLC rather than Cyberpunk 2077's.

While Fallout 4 had some commendable DLC, a significant portion of it was underwhelming. Most of the packs primarily focused on the settlement system, with only two packs offering substantial new story content. Out of these, the Far Harbor DLC was the only one truly worth it, as Nuka World forced players to assume the role of raiders against their wishes. This undermined the freeform nature of the RPG, a mistake that Shattered Space should avoid. To captivate players, it is crucial for the DLC to have a similar feel to Far Harbor and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty; otherwise, players may lose interest.

Starfield: Shattered Space carries a heavy weight of expectations as its release approaches next year. Its success or failure could significantly impact the future of the Starfield franchise. However, if it emulates the success of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, it has the potential to revolutionize the RPG genre. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is currently accessible on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.