Starfield Misses PS5 Top 10 in US Store Debut

Starfield launched on PlayStation 5 but didn’t make it to the US PlayStation Store’s top 10 best-sellers list. This marks a disappointing opening for Bethesda’s space RPG almost two years after its September 2023 debut on PC and Xbox. This outcome suggests that Sony’s player base might not have been eagerly awaiting the late port.

The situation is especially notable since Starfield arrived with exclusive features for the platform. It includes DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support, designed to attract PS5 owners. Yet, even with these features, strong competition kept Starfield off the chart entirely in the US during its launch window.

On Steam, where Starfield has had the longest time to build its reputation, the situation is also complex. The game holds a 55% positive rating across 116,111 reviews, which Valve classifies as “Mixed.” At the moment, there are 10,756 concurrent players. That number is modest for a game from a publisher like Bethesda Softworks, highlighting a retention issue the game has faced since its launch.

The historical context makes the PS5 performance harder to spin in a positive light. As TweakTown reported, Starfield faced stiff competition on the storefront. Previous analyses have raised doubts about whether the game can achieve a late-cycle revival like Cyberpunk 2077 did. Bethesda isn’t giving up on the title, especially with the Terran Armada DLC hinted at through Steam achievements. However, new content needs to improve player sentiment before it can drive sales.

Starfield’s Metacritic score of 88 reflects a solid critical reception at launch. Still, that goodwill hasn’t translated into ongoing commercial success or broad audience approval. The gap between press scores and player scores is significant — 55% positive on Steam suggests that many players feel Bethesda’s ambition for a “Skyrim in space” didn’t quite hit the mark for a large part of the audience.

By The Numbers

PS5 US Store Chart Position	Outside Top 10
Metacritic Score	88
Steam Positive Reviews	55% (116,111 reviews)
Current Steam Players	10,756
Current Steam Price	$49.99
Original PC/Xbox Release	September 6, 2023

Community sentiment on Steam tends to reflect the views of players who have put in hundreds of hours into the game. One reviewer pointed out the vast array of activities available: “just so much to do — missions, quests, ground and space battle, build outposts and ships, steal ships and loot killed NPCs, get crew for ships… goes on and on and EVERY planet.” This kind of depth appeals to a dedicated group of players, but it hasn’t been enough to attract the wider audience Bethesda needs to call the PS5 launch a success.

What To Watch

• Terran Armada DLC traction: The upcoming DLC, hinted at through Steam achievements, will be a key test for Bethesda to see if they can re-engage lapsed players and draw in new ones on PS5.
• PS5 chart movement over weeks 2–4: Launch-week chart positions on the PlayStation Store aren’t always conclusive. Keep an eye on whether Starfield climbs as word-of-mouth spreads or continues to linger against strong competition.
• Pricing strategy: Priced at $49.99 on Steam, Starfield hasn’t seen major discounts yet. A price cut or a promotion similar to Game Pass on PlayStation could make a difference for those on the fence.