Starfield Wins 'Most Innovative Gameplay' in Steam Awards Amid Controversy

Despite its commercial success, the space-faring RPG faces criticism for its perceived lack of innovation and mixed reviews.

Starfield, a space-faring RPG by Bethesda Game Studios, has won the 'Most Innovative Gameplay' award in the 2023 Steam Awards, causing controversy among gamers.
Despite selling over 13 million copies and generating over $100 million in revenue, Starfield has received mixed reviews, with a recent surge in negative feedback.
Critics argue that the game's gameplay is derivative of past Bethesda games and lacks innovation, particularly criticizing the game's excessive use of loading screens and lackluster RPG elements.
Starfield's 'New Game Plus' feature, where players go through a loop as 'Starborn,' has also been criticized for not fully utilizing its potential.
Despite the criticism, some aspects of Starfield, such as its ship-building system and the ability to transition seamlessly between in-atmosphere and out-of-atmosphere environments, have been praised for their innovation.