The day many thought would never come is officially on the galactic calendar. On April 7th, Bethesda Game Studios is bringing its sprawling space epic, Starfield, to the PlayStation 5, opening up the Frontier to a whole new legion of explorers. But this isn’t just a simple port. Timed with the PS5 launch, the game is receiving its largest free update ever, “Free Lanes,” and a brand-new story expansion, “Terran Armada,” across all platforms.
The epic footage released today has set the community ablaze with excitement and so many questions. The clips showcasing the new “Free Lanes” update, which allows for free-form flight between planets within a star system, were breathtaking. It immediately begs the question: how far is this new expanse? With travel no longer just a series of jumps, how big will the star maps feel now? Will the galaxy be broken into separate, explorable quadrants?
This free update promises to make the Settled Systems feel more alive than ever, increasing the frequency of space encounters and adding new ones to discover. It also introduces a new resource for deeper gear and ship customization, prompting us to wonder, will there be entirely new materials to mine and craft with on these worlds? Speaking of worlds, how thoroughly can we explore them now? The footage hints at a deeper level of detail, but can you truly start your own colony from scratch and build a personal empire among the stars?
For PlayStation 5 players, the experience is being tailored to be as immersive as possible. The DualSense controller will bring the action to life, with adaptive triggers providing unique feedback for every weapon and ship system. The controller’s speaker will broadcast in-game audio logs and intercom chatter, pulling you deeper into your role as a star-faring captain. For those with a PS5 Pro, the game will be visually enhanced with a 4K/30fps “Visual” mode and a 60fps “Performance” mode with improved visuals.
Alongside the free update, the “Terran Armada” story DLC introduces a formidable new threat. A robotic army is on a mission to enforce its own brand of “unity” across the galaxy, and players must fight back to uncover powerful new technology and explore the new Incursion system alongside a new companion.
Finally, for those looking to make a name for themselves, the “Trackers Alliance” creation bundle will be available for purchase at launch. This bounty-hunting arc will send you on a series of seven unique pursuits to track down high-value targets across the Settled Systems, each with its own story and tough choices to make.
Mark your calendars for April 7th. A new era for Starfield is about to begin, and with it, a universe of new questions to answer as we finally get to explore the true expanse of the stars.
