Summary
Thanks to the efforts of its budding mod community,Starfieldplayers can elevate their immersion tenfold by just making a few tweaks to their configuration file, resulting in dense vegetation and more realistic shadows. WhenStarfieldwas initially announced, Bethesda fans had high expectations for the game: that it would take all the best parts of a Bethesda sandbox, and marry them with the endless possibilities of space. Strange alien worlds, dangerous pirate lairs, sprawling cities – theSettled Systems ofStarfieldpromised an adventureunlike anything Bethesda had ever done. While the game certainly met some of these expectations, it’s also fair to say that it faltered in a few places as well.
Theprocedural planets ofStarfieldhave been a controversial topic in its community, as many players have found them lacking the Bethesda charm thatSkyrimandFallout 4so strongly evoked. While procedural generation is simply a tool in a game’s arsenal, there is an argument to be made thatStarfieldisn’t yet utilizing it to its full potential. The scarce variety of vegetation, as well as all the indistinguishable points of interest that can spawn, have arguably played a major role in whyStarfieldfans found the experience so dull and empty.
That being said, there is a solution for the PC to at least make planetary exploration inStarfieldmore immersive. A video was posted on the mainStarfieldsubreddit by debagnox, showcasing two separate mods in action. Given that theofficial modding tools forStarfieldhave yet to be released, these mods are in actuality just simple tweaks to the game’s configuration file. The solution is elegant, and the results are breathtaking, as the many different worlds ofStarfieldalmost take on a new dimension with these settings. The dense woodlands capture the wonder of exploring the reclaimed wilderness of the Commonwealth inFallout 4, or roaming through the forests of the Rift inSkyrim.
to enjoy these immersive environments, boasting dense forests and realistic shadows,Starfieldplayers should follow the instructions outlined by each mod:
Given that the mods only tweak configuration files, players should still be able toearn achievements inStarfieldwithout needing to download a separate fix. While a small FPS drop is to be expected, these tweaks should not impede performance too harshly.
While this may not fix the underlying gameplay issues, it should nonetheless be a welcome addition to any playthrough until the new Creation Kit becomes available. Though players are looking forward to seeingwhat Shattered Space will bring toStarfield, a significant part of the community is also hoping that Bethesda will addressStarfield’s most glaring flaws in a similar vein to howFallout 76saw improvement post-launch.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
