Starfield Update Makes Space Travel Better, But A Key Feature Is Still Missing

Space explorers of Constellation should rejoice as they navigate through the cosmos in Starfield. The latest update adds over 500 fixes, including a new feature that enables players to read the names of stars easily across the Starmap. However, key quality-of-life additions like city maps still hinder ground exploration.

From its release, Starfield received criticism for its poor space navigation. Before the new patch, finding any specific star was an undertaking since the Starmap only highlighted random or large systems. Players needed to hover over individual stars to reveal their names, prompting many suggestions to fix space travel. Bethesda has finally taken the feedback to heart as they implemented new changes to improve space UI.

Improved Starmap And Customization Enhances Space Navigation

Lost in Space No More

The latest patch will help players search for unique points of interest in space. Pressing “RB” or “Alt” on the Starmap will now show the names of all the systems on the screen. This quality-of-life improvement fixes the dated UI of Starfield and allows players to spend less time on menus.

Starmaps are not the only change the beta brings to stellar exploration. The latest patch helps players customize their flight experience and understand ship statistics. Bethesda has added an adjustable third-person field of vision (FOV) tool while on the ship, allowing the player to shift their view from 70° to 110°. Additionally, the shipbuilder upgrade mode now highlights positive and negative stat changes when replacing modules.

Constellation members who dogfight often will also be pleased to find the latest update helps with on-the-fly adjustments during fights. PC gamers can now allocate power to different parts of their ship while pressing Left Alt and using the number pad buttons 2, 4, 6, and 8. Together, the changes enabled in Starfield update 1.10.30 simplify and improve the UI challenges that made space travel so cumbersome.

Players Desperately Need Improvements To City Maps

Why In-Game Maps Are Failing Urban Explorers

Bethesda has also sustained criticism due to the lackluster on-the-ground navigation in Starfield. The same blue topographical map greets players whether they visit New Atlantis or the sixteenth moon of Tau Ceti. While useful in exploring a largely barren planet, the surface map does not help while traversing through a dense town like Akila City. The ability to see a local map while entering tight corridors in subterranean compounds like Cydonia would unquestionably be an asset.

The latest beta did not mention any additions to surface maps. While changes to foot exploration are sparse, the patch did include the ability to simultaneously harvest resources and open doors while in scanner mode. Bethesda has stated that they will add city maps per their official Reddit post, but no date has yet been confirmed. Until then, players will rely on their memory and quest compass to venture through the labyrinthine cities in Starfield.

Starfield Should Address Further QoL Issues In Next Updates

Streamlining the Stars

Continuous tweaks to UI are appreciated and add polish to a game that admittedly needs a bit more. Bethesda should continue to refine and update Starfield to reel old players back and attract new ones. The next QoL patch should focus on adding that final layer of sheen to player exploration both on the ground and in space.

Another long-desired feature is better modding tools. Players are still pending word on the release dates of the creation kit. With the Shattered Space DLC potentially being around the corner, Bethesda should continue to add substantial quality-of-life changes to Starfield.