Shoutout to Xbox owners for beta testing Starfield ahead of its PS5 launch next month

Robotic enemies in the new Terran Armada Starfield DLC.
(Image credit: Bethesda)

  • Starfield is coming to PlayStation 5 on April 7, 2026
  • It launches the same day as the new Terran Armada expansion and the Free Lanes DLC, which arrives free of charge
  • The game's price is also being slashed by $20 on all platforms

Open-world space adventure Starfield is finally coming to PlayStation 5, and it's going to be the most content-rich version of the game yet.

It will release on April 7, 2026, which is the same day as the new Terran Armada and Free Lanes expansions. Terran Armada is paid downloadable content (DLC) which introduces a new questline with its own characters and locations, while Free Lanes is a free update for all players.

The biggest feature of Free Lanes is the addition of cruise mode, which lets players travel planet to planet within systems while spending time inside their ship. It also introduces new encounters (including some fresh dungeons), two new crew members, a new land vehicle, and a plethora of quality-of-life improvements.

Article continues below

The definitive package

Starfield PS5 retail packaging.

(Image credit: Bethesda)

The PS5 version of Starfield will include some console-specific features, including full use of the DualSense Wireless Controller's lighting, adaptive triggers, and touchpad. PS5 Pro owners will also be able to choose two exclusive graphics modes: Pro Performance Mode and Pro Visual Mode.

With these new additions and the many free updates that the game has received since it launched back in September 2023 (not to mention the arrival of the paid Shattered Space expansion) those who buy the game on PS5 will be getting the best possible experience to date.

If all this wasn't enough, the price of the standard edition of the game is being slashed by $20, taking it down to just $49.99 on all platforms, including PS5.

As someone who picked up Starfield at launch for full price, I can't help but feel a little short-changed by this decision. Now I understand that games are inevitably going to become cheaper over time, but Xbox and PC players do seem to be getting the short end of the stick compared to their PS5 brethren, who are paying much less for a significantly improved version of the game.

Why would anyone consider sticking with an Xbox Series X or Series S when you can almost guarantee that cheaper, improved versions of almost every Xbox exclusive game will be available on PS5 if you're just willing to sit around and wait?

Bethesda has at least confirmed that owners of the pricey premium edition won't need to splash out any more for the Terran Armada, which is appreciated.

PS5 Slim
The best gaming consoles

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Dashiell Wood
Gaming Editor

Dash is an experienced tech journalist who currently serves as the Gaming Editor at TechRadar, where he helps oversee coverage of video games and related products.

Before joining the team, he was Contributing Writer at PLAY (formerly Official PlayStation Magazine) and has also written articles for many of the UK's biggest gaming magazines including Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX.

Now, when he's not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.