Worth investing time into WITHOUT spending money?

[tools guy-kun]

Just skip straight down to the bottom of the thread if you want to skip to the question:

I've played this game before like a few years ago when I was barely in high school, and I had fun with it, but with the lack of the ability to purchase ingame currency/weapon bundles made it a little difficult for me to enjoy the game, since I saw so many cool items/skins that I wanted, but could only dream of getting.

I am aware that games can change as time progresses, but I want to know if this game is now, in its current state, worth investing time into that doesn't involve occasionally wiping a good few chunks of money out of your bank account.

Even if I were to have a job and not entirely focusing on furthering my educational path (almost getting my associates by now), I don't feel like, PERSONALLY, that money is worth investing into games when they only get you weapon skins, player skins, random loot drops, xp boosters and the such. However, when a pretty sick and well developed game is free to play and populated by a decently well sized player base, stuff like this can be an understandable and perhaps tolerable method to rake cash in to further improve the game and keep servers running.

My question is: Without spending a single penny into this game, is Warframe worthy enough for someone to spend hours of their life playing?

[rolypoly]

Considering that absolutely all content except for real-world money priced fashion content can be obtained without spending a penny, then this is quite the wrong question to ask, isn't it?

[tools guy-kun]

Originally posted by Meatball Panini:

Considering that absolutely all content except for real-world money priced fashion content can be obtained without spending a penny, then this is quite the wrong question to ask, isn't it?

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with you there, but some games, like Anthem for instance, make obtaining said content a real hassle because of the horrible loot system the game may have. It requires a lot of time and effort, sometimes much more than needed. I'm wondering if this game is also like that as well.

[rolypoly]

Well what amount of time and effort do you consider a hassle?

[Slap Happy Pappy]

Originally posted by Meatball Panini:

Considering that absolutely all content except for real-world money priced fashion content can be obtained without spending a penny, then this is quite the wrong question to ask, isn't it?

No. It is not the wrong question to ask, if one seeks an answer. Please explain how it is the wrong question to ask.

As for the original poster: The game can be enjoyed without real world money if you are willing to trade. The only thing that is moneylocked is inventory slots for extra frames. (You can unlock 5 slots without trading for premium currency) Each slot is 20 platinum, but that 20 platinum can be earned in a day without really doing anything "end game".

[tools guy-kun]

Originally posted by Meatball Panini:

Well what amount of time and effort do you consider a hassle?

Personally, that is dependent on the item(s) itself.

Hmm... to give an example that is fictional but also specific, let's say you can get this super cool legendary weapon that is obtained at level 75, but it requires like 300+ hours to reach said level.

It's a crazy example, I know, but that's the kind of idea I'm trying to hint.

[tools guy-kun]

Originally posted by Slap Happy Pappy:

Originally posted by Meatball Panini:

Considering that absolutely all content except for real-world money priced fashion content can be obtained without spending a penny, then this is quite the wrong question to ask, isn't it?

No. It is not the wrong question to ask, if one seeks an answer. Please explain how it is the wrong question to ask.

As for the original poster: The game can be enjoyed without real world money if you are willing to trade. The only thing that is moneylocked is inventory slots for extra frames. (You can unlock 5 slots without trading for premium currency) Each slot is 20 platinum, but that 20 platinum can be earned in a day without really doing anything "end game".

Thank you for the supported defense :) although I would've been okay without it since I didn't take their comment to heart and let it embarrass me. If I'm curious about something, I will ask even if I look stupid or not. :D

As for your answer, I suppose that doesn't really sound bad at all. I've had some experience trading in TF2 quite often, despite it being a long time ago as well. All I must do is learn the economy system and how it works, then I'm sure I'll be okay and enjoying the game like you said. Thanks a bunch ^^

[Slap Happy Pappy]

Originally posted by Punk Buster:

Originally posted by Meatball Panini:

Well what amount of time and effort do you consider a hassle?

Personally, that is dependent on the item(s) itself.

Hmm... to give an example that is fictional but also specific, let's say you can get this super cool legendary weapon that is obtained at level 75, but it requires like 300+ hours to reach said level.

It's a crazy example, I know, but that's the kind of idea I'm trying to hint.

Nothing like that. Any goal can be reached in a day. Play the game to unlock the starchart and that will get you progressing through the story. Once that is done you can worry about farming, andby that time you will have a LOT of things you can sell for platinum. Plenty to afford inventory space.

Once you start farming for prime stuff, you will pick up even MORE things to sell for platinum.

Think of the game like diablo 3, where the starchart is storymode. Warframes are character classes. The end game is like bounties and rifts, and the premium currency is there for you to straight up buy sets, purchase extra character slots, and extra stash space.

[Slap Happy Pappy]

Originally posted by Punk Buster:

Thank you for the supported defense :) although I would've been okay without it since I didn't take their comment to heart and let it embarrass me.

It was an embarrassment to us, not you.

[✢ Smak †]

If you like the game yes it is. The only things I've bought in this game are slots for weapons and warframes and cosmetics. You can trade to get ingame currency for that.

[rolypoly]

Originally posted by Punk Buster:

Originally posted by Meatball Panini:

Well what amount of time and effort do you consider a hassle?

Personally, that is dependent on the item(s) itself.

Hmm... to give an example that is fictional but also specific, let's say you can get this super cool legendary weapon that is obtained at level 75, but it requires like 300+ hours to reach said level.

It's a crazy example, I know, but that's the kind of idea I'm trying to hint.

Some could be like that. For example Mesa Warframe components are acquired from a boss, but to get to the boss to begin with you must first acquire a special item from missions that come once in a while, then craft an item to be able to fight the boss, and only then face the RNG. So you could end up spending only days if you are very lucky with the drops, or you could be spending weeks and tearing your hair out as you get your 99th Neuroptics drop when what you really need are the Systems. (an exaggeration)

But this is not really necessary. You could just as easily spend plat to buy Mesa outright. And you don't need to spend real-life money for that plat, you can acquire it from other players through player trade.

Or you could view it not as a grind at all, but rather like a daily activity. "Oh, here comes that mission with the item I need to fight that boss, let's see if I'll get it this time", that kind of way.

So there are lots of VERY grindy stuff in the game, but none of it is necessary to grind unless you want to. Neither is there really anything in the game that is analogous to a "super cool legendary weapon of level so and so", because everything fills a few different roles, and although you can prove through stats on paper that one thing is better than all other things for a particular role, in reality there are usually quite a few other things that do the job slightly worse but still quite well. And in many cases it's not even about doing the job worse, but just differently.

To use the Mesa example again, she can fill a role where she is very good at doing something, that something being killing things very quickly, but so are tons of other frames and combinations of weapons that can do the same thing.

Warframe is not so much a competitive game over getting the most rarest and highest level loot drop and flaunting that around (although with Riven mods there is now a limited amount of that aspect available, too), as it is more of a collection game. You collect as many weapons, frames, and mods, and fashion stuff, and doodads and now pokemons even (yes), and what have you as you can to satisfy your completionist's desires. And at the same time you have lots of fun doing so because the game is absolutely gorgeous and is a whopping fun time to just simply play.

[Nijuu]

I came back to Warframe about two months ago.I had played literally maybe a few hours before them.Since then i have sunk 400 hours into the game - and im only hovering (ok i struggled until people from community gave advice along the way :) ), in Saturn at the moment.
If you enjoy looting AND grinding to get stuffs -- and consider its fun way to spend time, then very much a YES it is worth it if you plan not to or don't want to spend real money (for in game platinum).
Lots of warframes,weapons, mods to collect (all grindable).
The only stuff you CAN spend platinum on are mostly cosmetics or if you want to buy stuff right away (or speed up time to complete an item ie boosters etc, or for that one missing piece of a warframe/weapon you cant get because its been vaulted/too hard to get easily.
I personally have only spent platinum on two Prime warframe parts - both of which had already vaulted (and only way to get them otherwise would have been to receive a relic reward of someone who still had one of the relics which been vaulted) .

[Mhblis]

I havent needed to spend a single penny. With a little effort you can easily obtain everything.

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I have made one big plat purchase as my time has become more limited but of the 1k i bought I still have 800 left a year later.

I dont play the market and just play which missions I want to when I want.

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It just takes a little knowledge.

[Soapfactory]

I didn't need to spend money on this game. But it's so good that I want(ed) to and have.

[JediKnightSky]

Theonly thing taht requires actual cash are some cosmetics. And not just the best ones, many of my fave skins are plat prices and plat is easy to earn once you are established which shouldnt take you too much time.

Play the game and enjoy it, open up relics as you get them, I like defenses and interceptions to do at least a few in a run.

As long as you price modestly things sale fast. I sale things like braton prime, lex prime, etc at 10 p or wait till people are asking to buy then ask 15 p based on their wanting.

Many prime frame parts can net 20 or 30 with no hassle. Basically first build sets for yourself then liquidate excess sets

Another option is Baro Kiteer. he comes 2 times a month and you can vendor prime bits for Ducats and buy his stuff, he usually has at least 1 prime mod, and prime mods are always reliable plat earners. especially the dmg ones and the like.

While you cant get EVERYTHING with just plat you should be able to find at least 1 skin per frame for plat if their look vanilla isnt doing it for you

Also personally I say dont waste time farming common frames. a zephyr prime for example typically sales for 50 p,a mirage prime for 35, a hydroid prime for 70. These are all great early prime frames and you can make that plat faster then farming for any vanilla frame from a boss. I put those off for later MR Fodder.

In 5 months I have built a stable of 11 prime frames and a gara. all gained through opening relics and selling that which I did not need to fill out sets. I own dozens of prime weapons, all of them and my frames potatoed. I couldnt say how much plat Ive earned total in game during that time but Id hazard a guess of at least a couple thousand.

So dont let a lack of spending funds hold you back, come and play and enjoy a hell of a FTP game. If and when you can and feel the game has earned some support from you buy a supporter pack, Or wait till you get a nice 50% plat discount and buy a 20 spot of plat at that time.

[Von Faustien]

Originally posted by Punk Buster:

Originally posted by Meatball Panini:

Considering that absolutely all content except for real-world money priced fashion content can be obtained without spending a penny, then this is quite the wrong question to ask, isn't it?

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with you there, but some games, like Anthem for instance, make obtaining said content a real hassle because of the horrible loot system the game may have. It requires a lot of time and effort, sometimes much more than needed. I'm wondering if this game is also like that as well.

try the game its free if you like the gameplay give a shot if not dont play. im not going to lie there is a lot of farming and if you want iems it takes a while to get them. that said your going to have a soild stream of stuff you can build and play with and well getting what you want takes time you will lots of stuff quickly. the main issue youd have is weapon and frame slots costs plat which is the premium curency. you can trade for it with stuff you can farm and a good prime part will net you what you need for a few slots but you will need it to advance and outside player to player trades you cant earn it.