Warframe 2022 Year in Review
After The New War at the tail end of last year. There were some big expectations going into this year. Personally, for me, I fell off the game for a little bit after finishing The New War. I was impressed by all that campaign did, but the post content available at the time was less than favorable. So, with that in mind, what was this year like for Warframe?
Let us find out together, as I go over the major updates, as well as their “Echoes” update and how they withstood the test of time.
Echoes Of War
Following The New War, this Echoes quality of life update brought with it some light touches to the game. Such as being able to replay The New War, a boatload of cosmetics, some warframe augments, and duplicate protection with Kuva and Sister weapons. While it was a small update, being able to replay The New War, was great. Albeit, a few caveats to that experience. Since choices made in the original playthrough are permanent, however, seeing different moments or fighting Nira and Boreal instead of Amar and Boreal for instance is great.
Overall, this update felt meaningful but had way too many cosmetics fluffing it up.
Angels of the Zariman
Looking back now, I was way too harsh on Angels of the Zariman. I fixated on the hype of making my way home to the Zariman 10-0. With so many whimsical thoughts in my mind about what kind of story I would experience. Turns out, the story was nearly non-existent and served as a tutorial to playing the unique missions. As well as learning how to fight Void Angels which are still fun to take down to this day. I just wished there were more meaningful activities to do with the remaining crew of 10-0.
But despite all that, I still feel chills adventuring in the decrepit halls of the Zariman. The Incarnon weapons are still some of the best weapons to this day and the crew has grown on me, Yonta especially. The Echoes update even added a few more Incarnons that I love using. As well as a new ship that, while puny is very useful for finding rare loot with its air support.
Angels of the Zariman was a good update overall. If I could change my rating, I would. Because this update got me back into Warframe fully, for better or for worse.
Tennocon 2022
While not an actual update to Warframe, I do want to take a moment to give some appreciation for the whole event. It felt like the crew at Digital Extremes got to blow off steam and have a ton of fun with the community. Not only that, they showed off a whole slew of updates for the game. Such as Veilbreaker, which was an unexpected update for the game.
They also announced a few games, one from a partnered studio, Airship Syndicate. Their game has been announced to be Wayfinder, a new free-to-play action MMO. This game is currently in the testing and beta phase. You can sign up for tests on PC and PlayStation 4|5 here. Digital Extremes wrapped up the show with Soulframe. Their new free-to-play game will be the polar opposite in terms of design philosophy to Warframe. Slow, heavy, and medieval instead of fast, light, and futuristic.
They also showed a very lengthy gameplay demo for The Duviri Paradox which will be launching next year. Back during the original reveal, no one could predict what The Duviri Paradox would be like. The official gameplay for it showed an experience that could not even I was ready for. It is unlike anything I have seen in the game and I am very excited about it. Tennocon this year was fantastic, even ending with Rebecca Ford taking over as creative director for Warframe so Steve Sinclair, the previous creative director could focus on Soulframe.
Veilbreaker
Despite launching months ago, Veilbreaker is an update that did the impossible for the Warframe community. Have them come back on a weekly basis for fantastic activities. The Archon Hunts are shockingly good and no singular build is perfect against the Archons. Making them formidable foes to match the ever-growing strength of the players. But triumphing over the Archons allows you to take a piece of their power with you in the form of the Archon shards. Which are amazing add-ons to warframes.
The 50th warframe, Styanax was added to the game and his kit is a night and day difference from Caliban from The New War and Gyre from Angels of the Zariman. Styanax can help his squad, be a one-man army, strip armor easily and keep himself alive. He is also easily acquired from Kahl’s Garrison after doing the Veilbreaker quest. Which grants you access to Kahl’s weekly missions.
Playing as Kahl is a fantastic change of pace to how people play the game and his banter with Kaelli from Deimos was wonderful to listen to. Doing all of his challenges can even net you enough currency to get another Archon shard every week. This update was stellar, alongside its Echoes update. Bringing with it a new cool ship to summon Kahl in missions and take on mini-bosses in certain weekly missions. It is right up there with Angels of the Zariman.
Lua’s Prey and Grade
Finally, Lua’s Prey closed out the year. This update was decent with Voruna being a fantastic warframe as well. The new activity Conjunction Survival was fun for a week but this update was not at all capable to take the place of The Duviri Paradox. But credit where it is due, it sets up the tone perfectly for that expansion when it is ready next year. Especially when it goes so far as to allow players who have not finished The New War, the ability to fight Thrax enemies, which is incredibly fun.
Overall, I think Warframe had a very strong year, but it could have been so much more if their original plans were not put on hold. The Duviri Paradox is the biggest and only thing to look forward to from Warframe next year though. But I can wager that their monthly Devstreams will remedy that. I eagerly await their return after the holiday break.
2022 for Warframe is a “B” when it comes to its grade.
