Starfield, the open-world space RPG developed by Bethesda, has been a topic of discussion among gamers since its release in September 2023. While the game received mixed reviews initially due to its procedurally generated universe and lack of features, Bethesda has since updated Starfield with quality-of-life improvements, including 60/120 FPS support on Xbox Series X.
However, Xbox Series S users were left out of the high framerate experience, as the game was locked at 30 FPS on the less powerful console. But thanks to the efforts of fans and modders, a new mod has been developed to unlock 60 FPS gameplay on the Xbox Series S. In a recent YouTube video by Fuzion Xbox Testing, the process of achieving this higher framerate is demonstrated using seven different Creation Club console mods, including one that removes the FPS cap and another that eliminates grass from the game.
The result of these mods is a somewhat less visually appealing version of Starfield running at 60 FPS on the Series S. While the game may appear blurry at times, it is still playable and provides a smoother experience when exploring planets or bases on foot. Attempting to push the framerate to 120 FPS, however, seems to overload both the console and the game, causing fluctuations in performance, especially during space exploration.
Despite the imperfect nature of modding Starfield for higher framerates, it is encouraging to see fans taking the initiative to enhance their gaming experience. It raises the question of whether Bethesda will consider adding similar options in a future patch, though the developer may be hesitant to compromise on visual quality by allowing gameplay at 720p resolution.
Ultimately, the beauty of mods lies in the freedom they offer players to customize their gaming experience in ways that may not be officially supported by the game developers. As the Starfield community continues to experiment with different mods and settings, it is clear that player creativity and dedication can truly enhance the enjoyment of the game. Perhaps this grassroots initiative will inspire Bethesda to further optimize Starfield for all players, regardless of their chosen platform.