Starfield Comes to PS5 This April with PS5 Pro Enhancements and New DLC

Bethesda Game Studios has announced that Starfield will launch on PlayStation 5 on April 7, expanding the space RPG to Sony’s platform alongside what the studio describes as the game’s largest update since its original release in 2023. The PS5 release will arrive simultaneously with two major content additions: the Free Lanes update and the Terran Armada story DLC, both launching across all platforms.

The PS5 Pro version will also get specific enhancements for its visual fidelity and performance quality. However, it's unclear if it will take advantage of the newly unveiled improved PSSR upscaling on PS5 Pro.

Since its debut, Starfield has continued evolving through new features, quality-of-life improvements, and a growing ecosystem of community content.

According to Bethesda, the universe of the Settled Systems now includes more than 1,000 community Creations, along with additional gameplay systems, new story content, and fan-requested improvements. The April update represents the most comprehensive version of the game yet, designed both to welcome new players and provide returning players with new ways to explore its massive sandbox.

Bethesda is also continuing to expand Trackers Alliance, the bounty hunting gameplay system introduced in 2024 with new adventures, contracts, targets, and rewards.

The PS5 version will support DualSense lightbar integration, adaptive triggers, and touchpad functionality, aiming to bring the exploration-heavy RPG experience to the console ecosystem.

For players using the PlayStation 5 Pro, Bethesda will also offer two performance configurations. A Pro Performance Mode prioritizes a higher target framerate, while Pro Visual Mode focuses on improved image quality. Specifics on resolution or framerate for these modes isn't yet available.

The base edition of Starfield will be priced at $49.99 across platforms, lowering the entry point for players interested in jumping into Bethesda’s expansive sci-fi RPG.

Launching alongside the PS5 version is Terran Armada, a new story-driven DLC that expands the game’s narrative across the Settled Systems.

The expansion introduces new characters, locations, quests, enemies, and gameplay systems, focusing on a conflict against the robotic forces of the Terran Armada. Players will take part in a new questline that allows them to shape the future of humanity’s presence in space.

Players who previously purchased the Premium Edition on Xbox or Steam will receive the Terran Armada DLC at no additional cost.

Alongside the DLC, the Free Lanes update introduces several new systems intended to deepen exploration and ship gameplay.

The most significant change is the addition of interplanetary travel within star systems. Using a new Cruise Mode, players can travel directly between planets while encountering events and activities along the way, encouraging longer journeys aboard their ships alongside their crew.

The update also adds a range of new gameplay features, including:

• New locations such as encounters, points of interest, and dungeons that expand exploration variety

• X-Tech, a new resource used to upgrade weapons, ship modules, and other equipment

• Enemy modifiers introducing new tiers of enemies with traits such as enhanced shielding, elemental damage, or increased attack frequency

• Moon Jumper, a new planetary land vehicle

• Outpost improvements, including cross-outpost storage and a new Milliewhale pet

• New crew members, including Muria and a mini-bot companion

• Starborn improvements, allowing players to carry a limited number of items through the Unity into New Game Plus runs

The Free Lanes update will be available free to all players across platforms.

Overall, this was one of the worst-kept secrets we've seen in quite some time. It seemed inevitable that Starfield was eventually coming to PS5, and the majority of this announcement seemed to have leaked already. Nevertheless, it's great news if you're a fan of Bethesda games like I am, but have been waiting to play Starfield until this moment.