Warframe’s New Expansion “1999”: A Nostalgic Journey Back in Time
Digital Extremes, the developer behind the beloved free-to-play shooter Warframe, unveiled its latest expansion, “1999,” at TennoCon 2024. The announcement, coupled with gameplay footage, has everyone buzzing. If you thought the game’s previous expansions were eccentric, brace yourselves—Warframe is now venturing into a retro-futuristic world that combines elements from 1999 with its sci-fi essence.
A Blast to the Past
As the name suggests, 1999 is set in a year many remember fondly. Players will find themselves celebrating New Year’s Eve in a world filled with iconic 90s artifacts. Think grungy subway stations, arcade machines, and odd infomercials—elements that feel out of place yet oddly fitting in Warframe’s universe.
Interestingly, this isn’t the Earth we know but a parallel version that feels eerily familiar. The new hub area is an abandoned shopping mall adorned with artificial palm trees and neon lights. This mall, filled with remnants of a bygone era, serves as the base for a new Syndicate named “The Hex.”
Meet The Hex
The Hex consists of six members, each a proto-form of Warframe’s iconic characters. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Arthur Nightingale (Excalibur) – The squad leader.
- Amir Beckett (Volt).
- Aoi Morohoshi (Mag).
- Leticia Garcia (Trinity).
- Eleanor Nightingale (Nyx, sister to Arthur).
- Quincy Isaacs (Cyte-09) – Tying in with the new Warframe arriving alongside the expansion.
The story revolves around significant events from Warframe’s past, but it’s much more than just a historical recount. The expansion introduces a range of unexpected features that are sure to tantalize players.
Ride into Kulvania
One of the most thrilling parts of the demo was seeing the squad careening down a neon-streaked tunnel on motorcycles, with Volt running alongside—only to burst out into the moonlit, rain-drenched streets of a new open-world area called Kulvania. Imagine a mix between a contemporary US city and Half-Life’s City 17.
In Kulvania, players can freely roam on their motorbikes, all to a screeching metal soundtrack that amps up the atmosphere. But let’s not forget the action. During the demo, players encountered enemies, unruly streets, and even a boss-like battle against the H-04 Efervon Tank, blending traditional earth-like weaponry with sci-fi elements.
A Romantic Twist
Yes, you read that right. Warframe is getting a romance system, and it’s as quirky as you’d expect. Players can interact with their comrades through an old-school beige desktop PC, logging into “KOL” (Kim Online) for text chat conversations complete with IRC-style options. Play your cards right, and you might even score a New Year’s kiss.
The feature adds an intimate dimension to character relationships, offering a nostalgic thrill for those who remember the early days of online chat rooms.
Combat and Chaos
As the demo advanced, we were treated to pulsating bioluminescent plants and organic tech in an abandoned subway system. Here, the hacking mini-game reminiscent of Snake presented players with challenges that could lead to enemy influxes or, more ominously, a Coda worm virus.
The demo culminated in a dramatic combat sequence, blending heavy gunfire, drones, laser blasts, and constant airdrops of new troops. Yet, it wasn’t the end. The action transitioned back to the Origins System, centuries later, where players discovered a mysterious Earth-like concert stadium floating in space—a result of the Coda virus. This stadium served as the backdrop for a boss battle against a 90s-style boyband named On-Lyne, completing the expansion’s eccentric promise.
Players can experience these familiar environments, gripping storylines, and throwback features when 1999 launches this winter. If you can’t wait until then, special in-game experiences tied to this expansion are already available for a limited time.
More to Come
Before the release of 1999, players can expect two additional updates. August will see the arrival of “The Lotus Eaters,” a micro-story prologue to set the stage for the new expansion. Another update, to be detailed at Tokyo Game Show, will follow in autumn, bringing new themes, a new Warframe, and improvements like a Caliban rework and Companions 2.0 Part 2.
With all these intriguing additions, it’s safe to say that Warframe is not merely resting on its laurels. The upcoming expansion and subsequent updates show the developers’ commitment to providing fresh, engaging content for their loyal player base.
Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to party like it’s 1999!
also read:How to Navigate the Overwhelming Amount of Information in Warframe for Beginners?