Techrot Encore is the Best Follow-Up to Warframe: 1999

Nearly 3 weeks ago, Digital Extremes launched their follow-up update to Warframe: 1999. Aptly named, Techrot Encore, this update added in a wealth of a new content to enjoy. Warframe has always released “Echoes” updates to past expansion sized updates that always ranged in quality and content offerings, but Techrot Encore has definitely taken the cake.

With four new protoframes, and conversations with them to engage in. As well as the long awaited Technocyte Coda, and the newest warframe, Temple, and their signature weapon alongside 17 new great weapons to collect. This update is the encore of a lifetime, if you will, and even pushes the narrative forward.

A Bar Filled with New Friends

Techrot Encore features 4 new protoframes that have joined the Hex in Hollvania. You have Minerva and Velimir, the Saryn and Frost proforames. Kaya, the Nova Protoframe and Flare, the protoframe for the newest warframe, Temple. Minerva and Velimir are looking for Neci Rusalka, from the Warframe: 1999 story. Kaya is trying to figure out time travel, and Flare is trying their hardest to keep their living guitar, Lizzie, out of their psyche.

But what makes these new characters stand out is the instant messaging system telling their stories. Without spoiling the results, there are very real implications of whats to come from each of these new characters. While Minerva and Velimir are trying to rekindle their relationship, you learn so much about Rusalka when the time comes to resolve her story. Whereas with Flare, and Lizzie, Lizzie implies that she knows about the timeline outside of 1999.

Whether or not these stories result in future narrative beats remains left to be seen, but it is genuinely interesting to see even small and meaningful progress in what is, at the heart of Techrot Encore, a gameplay focused update.

Storming the Stages

In Techrot Encore, there are a few new game modes added to it. First is the new take on Deep Archimedea, named Temporal Archimedea. While it is basically the same formula, with new rewards and a sticker system I have not engaged in yet, it is a great new weekly activity to sink your teeth into. The second one, however is a refreshing and rocking take on the classic defense mission type, called Stage Defense.

Stage Defense has you storm a concert to defend Temple while they play a new metal track in defiance against the Scaldra, who killed their bandmates. In Techrot Encore, Defense missions got cut to 3 waves to earn a reward, and this works heavily in favor of Stage Defense. Where every 3rd wave, a mini boss gets summoned that you have to prioritize to keep Temple alive. It makes the assault feel natural, all wrapped up in that killer new metal track that plays on a loop while mowing down Scaldra.

I could replay Stage Defense for hours and still find myself head bopping to “Lamenting the Days” and breathing in the stunning atmosphere. The level design is fantastic, both above and below ground. Digital Extremes nailed this mission perfectly.

The Boys are Back in Town

The headliner feature of Techrot Encore, however, is the Technocyte Coda. The infested On-lyne boyband members that you can trigger a process to take down, similar to the Nemesis System from Shadow of War. This process, unlike past iterations of this system in Warframe, like the Kuva Liches and Sisters of Parvos, is much easier and more fun.

When you are fighting Techrot in Hollvania, you can some across a mixtape that when you feed it into a computer and finish the mini game, spawns a Technocyte Coda for you to take down. The process to do so is simple, and actually fun. Instead of requiem mods, you use anti-virus mods and can install multiple at a time to find the only one needed to start disinfecting the Technocyte Coda. There is also a slew of potency mods for the effectiveness of that disinfection that can give you extra XP, or other rewards. The process repeats to a definitive percentage until you trigger the final showdown, which is the most impressive part of Techrot Encore.

Similar to the Liches or Sisters, there is a showdown in space with the Technocyte Coda. This showdown is, simply put, awesome. The arrival of the Coda in a cutscene, mixed in with the stage itself trying to attack you with Techrot flooding in? It is a show I have already returned for, encores, if you will. This system is so cool, and feels lovingly crafted, from presentation to functionality in the game itself. With a ton of cosmetic rewards, and a boatload of weapons to get from it too.

A Rockin New Warframe, and a Whole Slew of Weapons

To go down the list proper, Stage Defense is where you can earn the newest warframe, Temple. Temple is a glam rock guitar-themed warframe that is rightfully in the promotion art for Techrot Encore for multiple reasons. They are incredibly strong with cool abilities to take advantage of. Most notably the guitar, Lizzie, that breathes fire on foes and can be recharged by using abilities with perfect timing with their metronome passive. Suffice it to say, Temple looks cool and feels cool to play.

There are also 18 new weapons in Warframe now. 10 Coda enhanced Infested weapons, 3 brand new Technocyte Coda weapons that are incredibly designed and strong. Whether it is the Bassocyst, the Dual Torxica or the Motovore? These weapons are slowly becoming a mainstay in my loadouts. I wish I could say the same about Temple’s signature Riot-848 pistol, or the 4 new Scaldra weapons. While they do look cool, I felt no real use case for them outside of the Purgator 1 or Dual Viciss.

But when it comes to new arsenal additions in the game, Techrot Encore definitely delivered. Especially when it comes to the music!

Incredible New Music

Warframe: 1999 had an incredible soundtrack. Featuring rap rock, screamo, grunge rock and techno tracks. All of these featured actual singing, making it feel like a greatest hits album in the game’s universe. This idea is expanded upon in Techrot Encore, as expected. With Lamenting the Days being the headliner track of the update. But other ones, such as “Alive Again” or “From the Stars” are really great tracks as well. From the Stars has a very indie soft rock feel to it that really tugs on the heartstrings. The new tracks are just the icing on a very big, and sweet treat of an update.

An Encore to be Proud of

While Digital Extremes has a very hard act to follow with Warframe: 1999 for its next major update (probably this year), Techrot Encore serves as a great follow-up for that expansion sized update. Techrot Encore offers a ton of new activities, and weapons. Even a cool new racing mini game in Ollie’s Crash Course. As well as new characters to engage with and see bits of story continuity. Techrot Encore has a little bit of everything for everyone, and I still engage with the Technocyte Coda daily. I can only imagine what update comes next.