Starfield’s “Crater 87” Creation Opens a World of Possibilities for Players

Starfield’s Creation Club is steadily growing, offering players new experiences through both free modded content, and paid options. One of the latest additions, “Crater 87,” is a paid creation that promises an intriguing story, a new location, and a unique gameplay experience. But is it worth the investment?

The Premise and Story

The mission kicks off when an NPC, “The Man from Argos” offers a job to investigate a missing vessel, which appears to be orbiting Pluto instead of reaching its intended destination. From there, players unravel an eerie story involving a doomed station, a sinister janitor, and an unexpected twist that ties into Starfield’s broader lore.

The storytelling in Crater 87 is a highlight, featuring solid voice acting and an engaging plot that keeps players invested. The atmosphere is filled with suspense, making the discovery of the station’s secrets a rewarding experience. The pacing is well-handled, though some sections feel slightly drawn out, particularly in puzzle-solving moments – particularly for players who aren’t paying attention to the dialogue and checking terminals along the way.

Gameplay and Environment

The environment design of Crater 87 successfully captures the feeling of an abandoned, decaying station filled with strange creatures and unsettling mysteries. Players will navigate various sections of the station, battling alien-like entities, collecting keycards, and uncovering logs that reveal the fate of its former inhabitants.

What made this creation stand out from many others is the ability to focus on story, and make it the priority for players. A lot of creations throw a hoard of enemies at you, expecting to deliver an easy form of entertainment and additional playtime. Crater 87 doesn’t do it. It cares about the lore, the characters involved, and a potential expansion for many of the story elements it introduces.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Positives:

Engaging Storyline: The mystery-driven plot and solid voice acting keep players immersed.
Unique Atmosphere: The station’s eerie design and environmental storytelling add to the suspense.
Integration with Starfield’s Universe: The mod fits seamlessly into the game’s lore, making it feel like a natural addition.
Rewarding Exploration: There’s plenty to discover, from hidden logs to unexpected encounters.

Negatives:

Limited Playtime: The experience is relatively short, which may not justify the price for some players.
Lack of Customization in the Player Home: After completing the main quest, players unlock the station as a base – but customization options are disappointingly minimal.
Repetitive Puzzles and Backtracking: Certain objectives require retracing steps multiple times, which can feel tedious.

EDIT: We’ve had an opportunity to speak with the developer behind Crater 87 regarding the POH (Player-Owned Home), and we’re delighted to share that more customisation options are coming.

The “Alien Slime” that has been an issue for many players will be removed upon the players request, interacting with a terminal – or something similar. Players will also have the option to “clean up” the base, changing furniture and more. This update should be live at some point in the future – we’ll keep you posted!

Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Crater 87 is a compelling addition to Starfield, offering a well-crafted narrative and an immersive setting. For players that simply want a little more content and lore, this is absolutely worth buying.

However, its short length may make it less appealing to those looking for extensive content. For those expecting deep gameplay mechanics, unique items or perhaps even expansive customization, it may fall short of expectations. Nonetheless, we love the story and the soul behind it – so for now, it’s a win in our books.

Check out Crater 87 for yourself via the official Bethesda Creation Store.