Bethesda Simplifies Starfield's Planet Effects and Gear Requirements to Streamline Gameplay

Starfield's planets originally had harsher environmental damage effects that were punitive.
Bethesda "nerfed the hell out" of the status effect system to make it less complex and punishing.
Effects now matter more for flavor than gameplay impact.
Originally players would need different suits for different planets, but this was changed.
Gunplay was kept as a key gameplay focus and tightly tuned compared to the toned down status effects.

rockpapershotgun.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/27/2023

Bethesda 'Nerfed the Hell Out' of Starfield's Punishing Planet Atmospheres

Bethesda has revealed that it made Starfield's environmental hazards less punishing by reducing the impact of extreme temperatures and radiation, making the effects more for flavor than genuine risk to players.

9/27/2023

Bethesda Dials Back Starfield's Punishing Planet Atmospheres After Playtesting Finds Original System Too Challenging

Bethesda had to tone down the atmosphere effects in Starfield and make them less punishing due to the complexity and annoyance it caused for players.