Warframe 1999 is just around the corner, and fans of this ever-evolving shooter are in for a treat. This time, we’re diving into a captivating world that weaves dark tech fantasy with a nostalgic turn-of-the-millennium aesthetic. It promises to be visually stunning. That’s not all, though—Digital Extremes, the creative minds behind it, are being incredibly generous by offering Dark Sector, their first game, for free on Steam. This game was essentially the blueprint for what Warframe is today.
Now, Warframe enthusiasts are probably already familiar with Dark Sector, but for many gamers, it might be uncharted territory. Originally making its debut on consoles, it graced PC screens in 2009. Dark Sector is a gritty, single-player experience that thrusts players into the life of Hayden Tenno, a CIA operative on a mission in a fictional Soviet territory as the Cold War winds down. The game combines third-person shooting with the use of a unique weapon, the Glaive—a razor-sharp boomerang-like tool that’s perfect for incapacitating foes from afar and solving tricky puzzles. Adding to the immersion, Dark Sector ditches the traditional heads-up display, inviting players to lose themselves entirely in its world.
While it may not be a timeless masterpiece, Dark Sector holds significant value as the precursor to Warframe, one of today’s most popular multiplayer titles. Notably, the Tennos in Warframe owe their origin to Dark Sector’s main character, and the game was initially intended to be an expansive online experience. However, due to a rocky development journey, they had to scale back their ambitions. Thankfully, these original concepts, along with Dark Sector’s rich lore, found new life in Warframe during the early 2010s. The upcoming 1999 expansion takes a nod from Dark Sector and may even include an appearance by Hayden Tenno himself, much to fans’ delight.
To gear up for this, Digital Extremes is offering Dark Sector entirely free on Steam. As they cleverly put it, “Dive into this piece of Digital Extremes history and battle against the Technocyte Virus as Hayden Tenno!” But act fast—this offer won’t last forever.
Mark your calendars: Dark Sector is available for free until Saturday, November 30 at 9am PT/12pm ET/5pm GMT/6pm CET. You can snag it here.
Looking ahead to the new Warframe expansion? Check out our comprehensive guide on Warframe 1999. Or, if you’re just in the mood for some incredible free PC games, we’ve got plenty of other recommendations to keep you entertained.
Stay connected for the latest updates on PC gaming news, reviews, and guides by following us on Google News. Plus, don’t miss out on our PCGN deals tracker for some fantastic savings.
