Starfield is officially coming to PS5, with a launch date set for April 7. Preorders are open right now for both the digital and physical versions. It’s long been rumored that Bethesda’s sci-fi RPG would be going multiplatform and, well, here we are.
The PS5 version will tap into the DualSense controller’s capabilities with adaptive triggers that work differently depending on the weapon you’re using. The light bar will offer an indication of your character and ship health (if you ever look at it while you’re playing, that is). You’ll also be able to use the touchpad to switch between points of view and access your map and hand scanner.
There will be a standard edition and a premium edition, matching the versions that originally showed up on Xbox consoles. The premium edition includes the base game, the Shattered Space and Terran Armada story expansions, a skin pack, some virtual currency and a digital artbook/soundtrack. The standard edition is $50, and the premium version will run you $70. If you buy the base game and decide later that you want to upgrade to the premium version to access the DLC, there’ll be a $25 upgrade available.
Other notable former Xbox exclusives have gone multiplatform, including Avowed, Forza Horizon 5, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and Sea of Thieves. The PS5 will even be home to a Halo game in the near future.
It’s been rumored that the Switch 2 would be getting its own Starfield port at some point. If Nintendo’s new console can handle Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, another Bethesda release, it can likely run Starfield.
As for the Terran Armada DLC, that will be available on April 7 alongside a free update. The latter (which is dubbed Free Lanes) includes an overhaul of the space travel system. You’ll be able to fly freely between planets in a star system and enable cruise mode, which enables you to chat with shipmates or decorate your ship while traveling. Points of interest will pop up while you’re in cruise mode as well — you can switch your destination to one of those instead if there’s something that catches your interest.
There are more space encounters too. If you run into one of these, your ship will exit cruise mode and you’ll have to deal with the situation before continuing. These encounters may or may not feature combat. In some cases, you’ll have to explore ship wreckages.
The free update also introduces deeper customization for weapons, gear and ships through a collectible item called X-Tech. You’ll be able to spend this (and regular credits) on re-rolls for legendary effects for your weapons.
Elsewhere, there’s a new database system; more side quests; two higher-level quality tiers (superior and exceptional) for your gear; an optimization terminal you can add to your ship to help customize and upgrade your ride; containers from which you’ll be access stored gear at any of your outposts; an outpost pet; and much more. In addition, there’ll be a way for you to start a New Game+ run with all of the gear you’ve previously acquired.
If you don’t have the premium edition of Starfield, you can buy the Terran Armada DLC for $10. This includes a new story questline. You’ll face the Terrans, “an advanced militant force with their own vision for the Settled Systems.” One Terran robot will be available as a new companion.
The DLC introduces an Incursion system. This includes battles that form a key part of the DLC storyline. These range from “small skirmishes to large-scale infiltrations of Terran vessels where the objectives can vary,” Bethesda wrote in a blog post. You’ll be able to replay incursions to score extra loot. Via the gameplay options, you can limit how often non-story-required incursions pop up.
Terran Armada also adds new gear and ship parts; elite crew members; an outpost pre-build and decorations; and more.
Starfield is a huge sci-fi RPG with elements of Mass Effect and Fallout. We were blown away by its graphical beauty, but were initially underwhelmed by the generic story and gameplay. The game has, however, received a fair number of improvements since launch. It’s pretty good now, and hopefully the Free Lanes update and DLC will improve things even further.
