Two years on, and I'm still convinced that the opening mission of Starfield's Shattered Space DLC is one of the most atmospheric gut-punches Bethesda has ever delivered. I hopped back into the Oracle Starstation last week — because what's a 2026 gaming calendar without revisiting a ghost-filled, gravity-flipping wreck? — and figured I'd spill the beans on how I navigated the whole chilling affair. If you're level 35 or above and ready to rumble, here's how to steam through "What Remains" without pulling your hair out.

First things first, you'll need the "One Small Step" quest under your belt, then you're free to jump to the appropriate star system and let the Oracle suck you in. The moment I boarded, I could practically feel the tension in the air — this place had been torn apart by something far nastier than a power surge. The mission log told me to track down incident reports, but all I wanted to do was find a nice, well-lit corner and hide. Too bad the Vortex Phantoms had other plans.

My first real encounter came right after a smoky, glowing wall that looked like it was ripped from a sci-fi horror film. Hovering near it were two spirits, Basira and Sirak, deep in a heart-wrenching argument about Basira's crumbling psyche. Within seconds, the poor soul was overtaken by whatever malevolent force had seized the ship, and I had to put her down. It was a sobering reminder that the DLC wasn't pulling any punches. Looting Basira's body handed me the Oracle Access Card and a few other tidbits. Sirak, momentarily stricken, vanished, leaving me to press on through the door at the opposite end. That card was my ticket forward, and I wasn't about to waste it.

In the next chamber, I stumbled upon Sirak's first incident log, and everything clicked. An unexpected energy surge had not only scrambled the station's systems but turned the crew into lightning-wielding, level 35+ Vortex Phantoms. These guys hit like freight trains, so if you're under-leveled, I'd suggest grinding a bit beforehand — trust me, there's no shame in running away from a crackling ghost. The log also clued me in that a card reader nearby was dead until I found the Engineering Bay Access Card. So, with enemies downed, I scanned for a yellow door beyond the computer hall and headed downstairs.

That descent led me to a storage bay where a box was rudely blocking cell Number 3. A quick dash to the control room and a button press cleared the obstruction, letting me access a floor hatch. Down there, tucked away in a cramped sleeping quarters, I found the Engineering Bay Access Card lying on a bed, guarded by one more Phantom. Snatch it, loot the room for another log, and clamber back up to the card reader. Insert the card, and you'll trigger the next objective — a puzzle that'll test your zero-g navigation skills.

Upstairs, the Main Power Controls beckon, but hitting "Reconnect Secondary Power Cell" won't cut it yet — because, of course, the station's gravity is off. Who needs floors, right? Following the quest marker, I floated upward to another control room, all while Sirak's ghost whispered clues and more Phantoms popped in to say hello. Clearing them out gave me a moment to grab a missing log (the fourth and last, ticking off that objective) and discover the path forward.

The corridor past the control room is a mess of debris, but at the end, a switch near a backdoor caught my eye. The door wouldn't budge until I brought a Power Cell to the nearby receptacle. The Emergency Power Cell sat at the other end of the room — a literal arms-reach away, but the developers love to make you sweat. I sprinted over, plugged it in, hit the Power Switch, and the second door hissed open. Behind it, the computer room with the Oracle's Main Gravity Controls was waiting.

Enabling gravity was a cinch — one button press and the whole station shuddered back to normal. I hoofed it back to the Main Power Controls and finally reconnected the secondary power cell. With the ship humming, the mission directed me to Operations, where a very distressed Sirak awaited. Unfortunately, he was seconds away from turning into a boss-level Phantom, and after a frantic firefight alongside a wave of reinforcing enemies, I had to put him down for good. Looting his body gave me the Operations Access Card, which I used on the Operations Controls computer. Initiating the mainframe reboot and enabling the Grav Drive was the final piece of the puzzle, launching the Oracle straight to the Dazra moon of Va'ruun'kai.

Stepping out of the station's backdoor into the hauntingly beautiful landscape of Kavnyk I's moon felt like a genuine accomplishment. Even in 2026, "What Remains" hasn't lost its luster — the blend of investigative exploration, ghostly combat, and logical puzzles is a masterclass in DLC design. Fair warning: the Vortex Phantoms still hit like a truck, so keep your ammo topped up and your wits about you. With the Oracle's adventure wrapped, the only thing left was to dive headfirst into the rest of Shattered Space's quests. Happy hunting, and may your Grav Drive never hiccup again.