With the April 2025 release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, it feels like the era of Starfield is coming to an end. The latest original IP from Bethesda Game Studios, Starfield, got a considerably more lukewarm response than anyone could have predicted, and, at this point, it feels like Microsoft and Bethesda are trying to brush it under the rug. A rumored Starfield PS5 release was recently reinforced by a trusted insider, but after that, it seems like Bethesda’s premiere space-exploration RPG will end up being grounded.
Great analysis.
The sentiment around bethesda games among the uninterested rpg fans is “wide as an ocean, deep as a puddle”, which is exactly what you summed up here.
All the systems they’ve introduced over the passed few games have been interesting, but shallow. Whats worse off is that the meat and potatoes of the games (story and rpg elements seem to be in atrophy as well. I dont believe fallout 4 had a bad story, but the games after it(fallout 76 and starfield) have definitely felt lacking in these departments as well.
The oblivion remaster is very beautiful with some much needed combat tweaks, now i just wish they would do the same for morrowind.
I dont have alot of faith that the next fallout or elder scrolls will deliver on the shortcomings of starfield, so i would gladly enjoy more bethesda remasters while another company takes up the 1st person rpg mantle. Who will that be? So far not Obsidian, unless they stop delivering shallow games as well.