In case you missed the news during #TennoLive2014, @PlayWarframe is coming to @Xbox One on Sept. 2! Chk the teaser http://t.co/wModbJFDUd
— WARFRAME (@PlayWarframe) August 18, 2014

even though Warframe is technically still in beta, it has been a sleeper hit for both PC and PS4. with it's Xbox One debut coming September 2, we decided to take an fresh look at Warframe.

Warframe is a vibrant, fast paced, over-the-shoulder sci-fi action/shooter, but there is even more to it than that. everything gets wrapped up in an instanced, randomly generated dungeon crawler all set in our solar system (with a few additional locations). you are a Tenno, a conduit of power and skills made possible through the Warframe armor. the variety of different armors and their powers are not the only weapons in your arsenal though; Warframe offers a wide variety of weapon choices which provides you with different ways to complete missions. go in silent with classic "ninja" gear; bring different bows, kunai and silent weapons to then stealth the entire stage. if that's not your prerogative, go loud with an array of weapons that will fit any play style. there have been improvements made to the melee system too that makes close quarters combat a powerful option as well.

with so many uniquely different weapon and Warframe options, your gameplay experience can vary quite a bit depending on what you choose. there are many variations on the roles you can take, from the high dps glass cannon, the damage absorbing tank, or a handy supportive role. there are also Warframes that focus on just stealth and crowd management, or some that strike a balance between various play styles for a bit more situational adaptability. nevertheless your choice of a character type is just the beginning, as your weapons, mods, and followers can also determine the course of battle.

Warframe's dynamics also come from an array of mission types and locations as well. travelling the solar system, you visit diverse environments, both familiar and alien; the variety of missions, tilesets and game types keep things fresh. just traveling through the solar system is fun, encountering planetary bosses and environments. missions range from quick strikes that task you with clearing the enemy presence off a ship to the "endless waves" style survival or defense. as you explore, you also encounter different enemy factions, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and strategies. Warframe does a lot to alleviate the sensation of mindless grinding for levels, focusing the game on action and an array of different things to see and do.

courtesy of warframe.wikia.com

Digital Extremes updates Warframe quite frequently with tons of new content; from new Warframes, alerts, missions, weapons, mods, environments, enemies, events and more. recently they have reworked the tutorial to bring the narrative and game mechanics to the surface. with a new emphasis on the story they walk you through some of the game's features in an engaging way. you eventually make it to your ship, where they have turned what was once just a UI into an interactive space. the frequent updates bring new content and hot fixes/patches on a fast and timely manner. DE hosts streams where they talk about new features, and interact with their community. just keep in mind the PS4 and PC run slightly different versions, with PS4 running slightly behind the PC.

Warframe also gets online social right too, from PvE to PvP, clans, friends, trading and more. build a dojo with your clan where you can create strong weapons, practice in an obstacle course or spar with fellow members to hone your skills. solar rails are a new dynamic that enlists clans to create and compete to have their rail in service. there is even a mobile app that lets you track alerts on the go.

the fast paced action is fluid and fun, from intense firefights to running on walls and acrobatics. Warframe is free-to-play done right, with everything obtainable in game, even though they offer up everything in their premium shop. beautiful graphics, gameplay that feels great, fast action plus enough depth and variation that will keep you experimenting with game mechanics for several hours. Warframe is well worth checking out, and is one of the best next games out there.

score: 8.8

+ unique approach to action shooters
+ the adaptability to your play style that doesn't feel inferior to other options
+ a fair free to play pay structure
- on occasion there are glitches in the environments that cause you to fall through the ground, or get stuck mid air in a jump. infrequent, but can be game breaking.

hours played: 300+

platform reviewed on: pc

also on PS4 and Xbox One