Warframe

Game overview

Playing Warframe is as close to being a ninja as many of us will get. Set in a sci-fi universe full of insane alien enemies, you'll have to count on your powerful exo-skeleton to survive.

The gameplay is an interesting mix of classic third person shooter and action, with some undoubtedly enjoyable RPG-like features. You can play co-op with friends or take on one of the many available missions solo.

Graphics are beautiful and due to the game’s proprietary engine, you won’t need a beefy rig to run it. Updates are released regularly so even more fun is to come.

Warframe is a great free-to-play title with a hectic pace and rewarding weapons. It has a plethora of progression options to keep you engaged. Most of all, though, it's a blast to play. Moment to moment gameplay is intense, face paced, and visceral.

➔ Main points:

• 2013 Cooperative third person shooter (MMOTPS).
• Incredible, adrenalinic combat both in solo and co-op PvE.
• Inspired art direction and triple-A quality graphics, with affordable minimum requirements.
• RPG elements and original (at least for a shooter) progression options.

Trailer

Full review

What is Warframe?

Some cool exoskeletons, AKA Warframes

Nowadays, free-to-play games are a dime a dozen. The market has shown just how much successful the free to play model can be. For this reason, no stone has been left unturned, and new, similar, titles are released all the time. Warframe, though, intends to buck the trend. It is a third-person shooter that takes many cues from role playing games, however it is also heavily influenced by classic action titles. The game is being developed by the team at Digital Extremes and continues to be updated regularly.

Shall I shoot you or punch you? Why not both?

After an easily dismissible introduction movie about the story, we'll immediately find ourselves in a tutorial which will teach us about basic gameplay.

It's impressive how different styles of fighting have been integrated in a coherent (and fun) manner. Even more impressive is the fact that it is very easy to switch styles depending on the situation.

At first glance, Warframe looks like a classic third person shooter, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

Standard equipment includes your average guns and a rifles for long-range attacks.Your first Warframe also comes equipped with a deadly Sci-fi samurai sword, available by pressing the E key. The presence of the sword, combined with faster-than-average gameplay, will get your adrenaline flowing in a way that many other titles cannot replicate, especially when you switch from the classic TPS mindset to the razor-sharp reflexes of a modern action title.

Slick action happening in Warframe

The faster-than-average gameplay will get your adrenaline flowing in a way that many other titles cannot replicate

Sometimes I find myself wanting to cling to the nearest wall, however the lack of a cover mechanic makes this impossible. The lightning fast maneuvers you are able to pull off make up for this though. It’s apparent that the game is more about dodging and weaving through enemies rather than holing up in a single area.

Company is overrated

You can choose to play Warframe alone or online with other players. Either way, you'll be presented with a never-ending series of missions, most of which revolve around killing hordes of enemies that never seem to stop coming.

To be blunt, single and multiplayer modes are more alike than different. Since the enemies' AI is not the sharpest, there's no need for a multiplayer strategy and, as result, players are not required to help each other out.

Even though the game offers a huge number of missions, none of them are particularly exciting since they all feel more or less the same.

Why using just a sword when you can have 2?

These issues notwithstanding, some other elements of the game will still make it very much worth your while.

First of all, I especially enjoyed the Warframes, the exoskeletons the game was named after. The choice you make at the beginning of the game (three different models are available) will significantly impact your gameplay experience (and also how you look on the screen!). After your initial choice you will be able to purchase new Warframes in game. Each has its own abilities and play style, and can be customized with a variety of colors and accessories. I suggest trying at least two different skeletons to get a better feel for the game.

Progression is well thought out; as you play and unlock new abilities, you'll have an alternate method of dispatching foes. In some cases guns are completely obsolete.

Graphics

Technically speaking, this game is a free-to-play gem. Gamers used to retail titles won't find anything amiss here. The proprietary gaming engine is a treat for the eyes and renders beautiful scenery. The level of detail is astonishing throughout and is most impressive on the Warframes themselves, whose models are realistic and enticing.

Scenery, of the sci-fi variety, is also convincing, even though it doesn’t scream originality.

The in-game art is just beautiful

Technically speaking, this game is a free-to-play gem

Unfortunately, the number of environments you can visit is limited. The quality of their make, however, compensates for this fact.

Conclusions

Warframe is a good free-to-play game that doesn’t disappoint.
However, it's still somewhat rough around the edges: the number of missions doesn't make up for the lack of variety. Furthermore, the co-op mode is weak and can only be appreciated if you want to relax with a friend.

The game though is being updated constantly with, new content to explore, new Warframes to unlock and new abilities to master. That being said Warframe has the potential to improve. I would expect to hear great things about the game in the coming future.

All things considered, I advise you try Warframe whenever possible. The game is available almost everywhere: PC, PS4, and Xbox One. If you have one of these systems, it’s a solid choice of a game that will have you sink hours into its diverse gameplay.