Shattered Spaceis already taking theStarfieldcommunity by storm butpart of the expansion’s success may be due to it lifting some design principles from one of Bethesda’s most beloved role-playing games. Embracing a theme of cosmic horror,Shattered Space’s environments are a far cry from the base game which champions a more optimistic take on interstellar discovery. In particular, the city of Dazra has drawn many comparisons toan iconicElder Scrollsgameand it seems that sense of familiarity was intentional.
PerGamesRadar+, Bethesda Design Director Emil Pagliarulo noted thatDazra, the capital of House Va’ruun which was introduced inShattered Space,took plenty of inspiration fromThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind:
“I think it’s really unique fictionally and aesthetically, especially when you compare it to the other cities in the game. It tells the story of a human faction that is at the edge of ‘normal’ civilization. Pushing the boundaries of the game’s NASAPunk aesthetic, certainly, but also, on a lot of levels, pushing the boundaries of what is and is not culturally acceptable. In fact,Morrowind and its themes and overall vibe were a big inspiration.”
Morrowindstands out amongst theElder Scrollssettings as a grimy swampland that’s seen as a “weird” version of the more traditional fantasy setting of the franchise.Dazra, and by extension the whole planet of Va’ruun’kai, is undoubtedly the strangest locale inStarfield, giving fans exactly what they wanted from the original game.
What Else Inspired Shattered Space?
Less NASA-punk, More Klingon
Morrowind’s influence onShattered Spaceis plain to see for anyone who knows their way around the third mainlineElder Scrollsgame but the DLC does evoke several other franchises.The hostility and brutality of Va’ruun’kai drew fromStar Trek, specifically the Klingon homeworld, according to Pagliarulo. While the Design Director doesn’t mention this, it’s also not hard to seeBattlestar Galactica’s impact on the aesthetic of House Va’ruun’s homeworld.
Bethesda made it clear from the outset thatShattered Spacewas looking to lean into horror, embracing the inherent fear of exploring new worlds in an unknown area of the galaxy. Its goal was definitely achieved asthe expansion is, overall, an incredibly eerie experience populated by strange monsters and enemies that wouldn’t have fit into the base game’s visionof the future. The pivot in aesthetics may have been drastic but it all works together to paint anappropriately sinister picture of House Va’ruun.
What Level Should You Be Before Playing Starfield: Shattered Space?
Starfield’s Shattered Space DLC has a recommended starting level for those who are just about to jump in and brave the harsh world of Va’ruun’kai.
Is Shattered Space Worth Your Time?
It’s An Easy Win For Fans
Shattered Spacedoes many things right andit’s already being hailed as one of the best DLCs Bethesda has ever releasedbut it likely won’t be enough to bring back lapsed players. Fans who’ve already spent hours exploring the universe inStarfieldshould check it out sincethe amount of additional contentis worth the price of admission. Having said that, those who couldn’t tolerate the clunky gameplay and abundant loading screenslikely won’t be swayed by the expansion.
