Gab Hernandez 
Starfield is shaping up to be one of the best games in recent years for those who love adding mods to their games.
Less than a week after the early access release of Starfield, hundreds of mods have already been created, and more are being released daily. Before long, thousands of mods are going to be available for download. These mods range from mundane but essential technical fixes to major overhauls of Starfield’s aesthetic. Of course, the growth Starfield’s modding scene is experiencing shouldn’t surprise veterans of Bethesda RPGs.
The modding scene’s rapid growth can partly be attributed to Bethesda’s use of Creation Engine 2, which allowed modders for The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Fallout 4 to hit the ground running in this new title. Modders already have a good idea of what they’re working with, on top of Starfield being naturally modder-friendly. But players will already need a bit of help sifting through the many, many mods that are available to choose from.
The best Starfield mods out right now
Starfield allows players to change everything about their game, ranging from what players can do to how the game runs. The modding scene is still young, so the best mods of Starfield are bound to change very quickly. Keep in mind that mods can cause stability issues and that not all mods are compatible with one another.
Starfield Upscaler – Replacing FSR2 with DLSS or XeSS
For the unfamiliar, FSR2, DLSS, and XeSS are real-time image enhancement technologies that aim to boost framerates through deep learning and AI-enhanced upscaling. PureDark ‘s Starfield Upscaler is currently the most popular mod on the Nexus, showing that the lack of support for DLSS and XeSS on launch has left many fans dissatisfied.
Starfield Performance Optimizations
As many fans note, it’s not the true Bethesda RPG if there aren’t dozens of performance issues on launch. Thankfully, modders have been quick on the uptake once again, as Erok’s Starfield Performance Optimizations aims to provide a fast fix to any performance woes. It even comes with a “Potato Mode” for those playing on the absolute minimum required specs.
Starfield Script Extender (SFSE)
For veterans of the modding scene, Ian Patterson’s Starfield Script Extender is a sight for sore eyes. Script extenders are the backbone of millions of Bethesda RPG mods, and that continues with Starfield. Script extenders allow for games to have more scripting capability and functionality, allowing both modders and players to enjoy the full breadth of a game’s potential.
StarUI Inventory
Created by the same mind behind FallUI, m8r98a4f2’s StarUI improves all the inventory screens in Starfield. Sortable columns now have added details, item categories have unique icons, and a more compact aesthetic are among the quality of life improvements offered by this mod.
Quantum Reshade
Shader mods are synonymous with Bethesda RPGs, as every player wants their games to look a certain way. HelloImCrimson’s Quantum Reshade brings Starfield’s lighting to a more realistic level, making the experience that much more immersive. Shader mods are a bit complex to install and impact performance, so players shouldn’t use this one unless they’re sure their PC is up to the task.
