Summary

• As Starfield gears up for the Shattered Space DLC, players can expect a thrilling shift towards cosmic horror and the enigmatic House Va'ruun.
• House Va'ruun's dangerous cult and mysterious deity add a much-needed layer of intrigue to Starfield, potentially shaping future franchise directions.
• Despite initial reception issues, House Va'ruun's absence in the base game hints at a bold plan to elevate Starfield through the upcoming Shattered Space expansion.

The first expansion for Starfield is on the horizon. As the arrival of the Shattered Space DLC inches closer, the game is set to get a surprising dose of cosmic horror that was nowhere to be seen in the base story. Starfield may not have been perfect at launch, but the impending Shattered Space expansion has been highly anticipated since its announcement. Now that the theories of Shattered Space focusing on House Va'ruun have been proven to be true, Starfield might get an exciting post-launch redemption arc.

The turn to cosmic horror is a promising change of pace for Starfield. The trailer for Shattered Space teased a darker chapter in Bethesda's space epic that showcases House Va'ruun as more than just a mystery. Based on what was revealed from the trailer, House Va'ruun appears to be a dangerous cult. Until now, all that has been known about the secretive faction is that they worship a mysterious deity known only as the Great Serpent. If Starfield gets the chance to branch out into a franchise, Bethesda may be better off looking to House Va'ruun for inspiration compared to other in-game factions.

House Va'ruun Should Inspire Bethesda's Future Starfield Decisions

Starfield's Most Interesting Faction Should Serve as a Faction Blueprint

When it comes to the lore of Starfield, House Va'ruun is by far one of the most compelling factions to be featured in the game. Sneak peeks at Shattered Space only further prove this by emphasizing the religious group's potential danger and fanaticism. Although the various factions players come across throughout Starfield's story all have their own unique qualities, House Va'ruun stands out the most.

Since the launch of Starfield didn't exactly produce the results Bethesda was expecting, the question of a sequel probably won't be answered for a long time. However, the future of Starfield would benefit from looking more like Shattered Space and less like a continuation of the base game.

The Factions of Starfield

• Constellation
• UC Vanguard
• Freestar Rangers
• Ryujin Industries
• Crimson Fleet
• House Va'ruun

Each faction in Starfield is a fascinating look at what a far-off future could look like when humans are able to colonize the vast reaches of space. Constellation's passion for exploration brings the game's main story to life, while the independence-loving Freestar Rangers showcase the Freestar Collective's attempt at galactic libertarianism.

The UC Vanguard makes its name as the military of the United Colonies, Ryujin Industries embraces the cutthroat corporate world, and the Crimson Fleet are ruthless space pirates. All groups bring something to the table, but these five factions couldn't keep Starfield's base version from feeling a little underwhelming.

The Absence of House Va'ruun is Largely Felt Throughout Starfield

Despite being absent from the base game, Starfield made House Va'ruun's importance clear. It's wild that for a faction that is mentioned many times throughout the story, it is largely left as a mystery. Of course, this was now clearly used as a method to drum up excitement for Shattered Space.

With Starfield's divisive reception, only time will tell if Bethesda will make a follow-up. If it does, House Va'ruun should stand as the blueprint for further factions. House Va'ruun adds a missing spice that was desperately needed in the base game, and Bethesda purposefully leaving the group out in order to draw attention to Shattered Space is bold. Once Shattered Space launches, all may be revealed about House Va'ruun, and it will hopefully be worth the wait.