The widely visible and somewhat contentiousStarfieldwill be making its way to PlayStation 5 at some point, if rumors and leaks are to be believed. Bethesda’s space-faring extravaganza wouldn’t be the first high-profile Xbox exclusive to jump ship to PS5 in recent years, with hot properties likeForza Horizon 5andSea of Thievestraipsing onto Sony hardware despite their already-significant success on Xbox. That is to say, there’s a strong precedent forStarfieldto leave the Xbox ecosystem.
This could be a complex and even controversial move on Microsoft’s part, asStarfieldis no doubt the company’s biggest console exclusiveof this generation: audiences already expect the likes ofHaloandGears of Warto be locked to Xbox, but a console-monogamous Bethesda game is another story. Bringing such a popular, relevant title to other platforms could be interpreted as Xbox walking back its implicit promise to players at the start of the Xbox Series X|S lifecycle, the promise that it would be home to exclusives that could compete with what’s on PS5 and Switch. Indeed,Starfieldon PS5 could present some dangerous waters for Xbox to navigate, but such a port would come with some objective upsides as well.
Starfield On PS5 Would Mean the Addition of DualSense Features
DualSense Haptics Have the Potential To Elevate Starfield
Starfieldis far from universally beloved, but perhaps it could enjoy a second life of sorts if launched on the PS5. After all, such a port would spread the IP to a considerably wider audience, considering the mass adoption of Sony’s current-gen platform, which in turn could facilitate a more robust, well-rounded consensus about the game’s legacy. Having said that, this theoretical port would also just be “moreStarfield,” as it’s unlikely that it would be joined by any kind of major new content.
But the much-lauded features of the DualSense controller could very well have a transformative effect on theStarfieldexperience. The sophisticated and multifaceted haptics of Sony’s proprietary controller could bringStarfield’s myriad planetary landscapesto life, elevating immersion through environmental factors, gravitational force, and the like. There’s also the matter of the PS5’s adaptive triggers, which have the potential to augment gameplay in addition to being an accessory for immersion and exploration.
How the PS5’s DualSense Controller Could Specifically Benefit Starfield
When thinking of thebest uses of the DualSense on the PS5, a few choice titles come to mind:
These games make use of the DualSense in different ways, but they all leverage the tech to service the central elements of their respective gameplay experiences. For instance,Returnalis all about dense atmosphereand unique weaponry, so the DualSense is used to further these ends, deepening the game’s various biomes while providing alternate firing modes for each weapon. Meanwhile, games likeSpider-Man 2,Kena: Bridge of Spirits, andDeath Strandingtake advantage of the controller’s adaptive triggers for game-specific activities, like web-swinging, balancing packages, and drawing a bow.
Starfieldon PS5ought to follow the philosophies of these games with respect to its DualSense integration. That is, it should elevate already-strong game mechanics with the controller, rather than using it for gimmicks or superfluous features. Spaceship control is an obvious target area, as it’s a unique activity that could be better realized with strong, weighty haptics.Starfieldis also notable for its vastly improved gunplay relative to previous Bethesda RPGs, and the integration of the DualSense could make this facet of the game even better, especially when it comes to less conventional weapon options.
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.
