Our author Leya took a look at the online shooter Warframe and was instantly captivated. As a Space Ninja, she fought through the first missions and now can hardly put Warframe down. Read her impressions here.
I was thrown directly into my adventure as a Space Ninja, not knowing what was happening. A dark alien captain named Vorr told me that I am a powerful warrior. He called me one of the “Tenno” – apparently, I belong to a long-forgotten warrior faction that protects the universe and its planets from harm.
I awoke from an eternal cryo-sleep and had to flee from Captain Vorr and his army. Accompanying me was a mysterious female voice named Lotus, who awakened me.
This is where every player begins their first mission, which also serves as the tutorial. I got to choose one out of three “Warframes”. Warframes are suits that grant the Tenno their unique abilities and skills. At the same time, Warframes are the different characters you can play – there are currently 34 of them.
From these 3 Warframes, players can choose one at the beginning:
- Excalibur: This Warframe excels in melee combat and summons a sword that is infused with energy. Excalibur is considered particularly beginner-friendly.
- Mag: This lady generates magnetic fields that allow her to manipulate her surroundings and enemies. Her skills provide Mag with strong crowd control and can even turn bones to dust.
- Volt: The master of electricity is suited for both close and ranged combat. Volt’s electrical skills are particularly effective against “Corpus”, the robot-like enemies in Warframe.
I chose Mag. Her ability to turn bones into magnets and crush them with energy particularly appealed to me.
In the tutorial, I feel like the most powerful Space Ninja in the universe
Once the question of my first Warframe was settled, action kicked off immediately. I had to fight through Captain Vorr’s henchmen and reach my spaceship. The voice from nowhere, Lotus, taught me everything I needed to know to survive.
That’s how I learned that I move as a Warframe more gracefully than a cat. Right from the start, I have the ability to glide far above the ground, propel myself into the air, and leap along walls. Normal running is out of the question for the Space Ninjas of Warframe!
Just by moving, I already feel like a powerful warrior circling my enemies and deftly dodging them. Then I receive three strong weapons with which I cut down Vorr’s army.
I got to choose between two types of weapons at three stations. With my choice, I received this set:
- Melee weapon: Sword (instead of a staff)
- Side weapon: Thrown knives (instead of a pistol)
- Main weapon: Bow and arrow (instead of a rifle)
My first skill “Pull” was also available to me. With Mag’s magnetic field, I pulled enemies towards me, dealt damage, and incapacitated them for a short time.
I felt great and strong!
The feeling of power was misleading – I was still a little baby ninja
With all the means available to me, I reached my ship with ease. But after the long cryo-sleep came the second awakening: I was not as powerful as I thought.
Slowly, I unlocked the arsenal system of my spaceship through the first missions. The ship was actually stripped down, and all stations like the forge, the breeding chamber, or the modifications were removed. Everything is offline. So I set out to gather the segments that I need to bring the individual stations back online.
This is where I realize how complex Warframe really is. I slowly began to notice:
- All weapons in the game must be leveled up
- All weapons can be modified with upgrades
- The modifications must also be leveled up and can receive upgrades
- I can have a robot as a companion, a Sentinel
- The various robot Sentinels also have skills and carry weapons
- The Sentinel is leveled up, as is its weapon – these can also be upgraded with mods
- My Warframe can also level up, and it can also receive mods
- The skills of the Warframe can be leveled up and receive mods
- My entire account has its own level
- There is a breeding station for pets that resemble dogs and cats. They also receive upgrades that are useful in combat.
- Weapons and equipment can be created using blueprints
- I could go on with the list, but it is clear: everything can be leveled up and customized.
Slowly I start to experiment with the modifications and feel my weapons getting stronger. The baby ninja is growing!
No one guides me in Warframe – Easy to start, difficult to master
The complexity can nearly overwhelm one at the beginning. Warframe does not explain to me how the online shooter works in detail.
Those who embark on the adventure must be ready to seek knowledge elsewhere than in the game itself. This could be challenging for German players who speak little English. Because the best sources for Warframe are available in English. Or you have to find an experienced German comrade who can explain the first steps to you.
Because at a certain point, one must delve into the leveling and upgrade system.
However, I spent my first hours in Warframe without much knowledge and breezed through the first missions! You just have to not be discouraged by the many possibilities that Warframe offers.
Warframe has an easy entry, but becomes difficult to master as you go further.
The depth and gameplay of Warframe have me hooked
After my first hours as a Space Ninja, I’m simply hooked. The gameplay feels fantastic. It’s incredibly fun to glide over the map and explore the world.
The wide and athletic jumps of the Warframe give me a sense of freedom and power. The gunplay is determined by my build and modifications. I decide whether I shoot quickly, land strong hits, or trigger elemental damage.
In Warframe, there is much to do besides quests. So I’m currently working on unlocking a pet and breeding them afterward. The heart of the Pokémon breeder in me beats particularly high! Because even the faithful companions can be modified and special statistics can be bred.
I’m curious where the journey with Warframe will take me and will likely continue to fly through the galaxy as a Space Ninja out of passion.
You can also follow my first hours in Warframe in this recording of our live stream:
