February 9, 2024
Warframe
Among free-to-play games, Warframe is the only one to have its own official convention in North America. Warframe is an immensely popular online co-op game, blending fast movement, hack ‘n’ slash, and third-person shooting into a satisfying experience. Players play as warframes, which essentially function as classes, each one with different speed, shields, health, and abilities, cooperating in groups of four to complete the chosen mission.
The true pleasure of Warframe at this point might be the collectathon. Being almost a decade old, it carries a daunting amount of content. With a decade of factions to impress and armaments to earn, it will take even the most-dedicated player a year to compile an up-to-date arsenal, and thus should provide at least a year of continuous entertainment. Warframe currently has over 50 warframes and hundreds of weapons for the player to earn, master, and freely switch between to keep the gameplay fresh.
Warframe is free to play, which basically means there is no subscription and the initial game is practically a demo. Without a purchase, you will have access to the full game and all its content, but your playability will be significantly hindered. You can only hold so many warframes and weapons—and good weapons and warframes are nearly irreplaceable—so you’ll need more inventory space. That’s how they get you. These inventory upgrades cost “platinum,” an in-game currency that is either bought with real money or traded with players. The best way to obtain platinum is to wait until you get a coupon from your daily log-in bonus. Definitely buy platinum in bulk to get the best deal, wait until you get a 50% off coupon, and spend it wisely, prioritizing necessities. With these guidelines, a $50 purchase should last years, although it will allow few in-game luxuries like cosmetics.
—Gage Wilson, Video Games Editor