Dark Sector, the Overlooked Precursor to Warframe, Available for Free on Steam

Warframe’s eagerly anticipated 1999 expansion is just around the bend, inviting fans back into its unique universe where dark tech fantasy meets a late 90s aesthetic. The visuals are stunning, and as a special treat, developer Digital Extremes is offering Dark Sector, their pioneering title and Warframe’s spiritual predecessor, to Steam users entirely for free.

Now, if you’ve been with Warframe for a while, you’re likely familiar with Dark Sector. However, many gamers might have missed this title when it first appeared. Released on PC in 2009, following its console debut, Dark Sector presents a gritty, single-player, third-person shooting experience. You take on the role of Hayden Tenno, a CIA operative navigating a fictional Soviet setting during the twilight of the Cold War. The game combines third-person shooting mechanics with Hayden’s signature weapon, the Glaive, which can be thrown like a boomerang. This lethal gear is not only practical for dispatching enemies from a safer distance but also essential for puzzle-solving. True to its immersive intentions, Dark Sector goes without a traditional heads-up display.

Though it might not be a household name, Dark Sector plays a crucial role as the forerunner to the wildly popular Warframe, laying the groundwork for its expansive multiplayer universe.

For Warframe enthusiasts, it’s worth noting that the eponymous Tenno are named after Dark Sector’s hero. Initially envisioned as an expansive online adventure, Dark Sector faced a tumultuous journey during its development which led to its downsizing. However, many of its themes and narrative concepts found new life in Warframe during the early 2010s. The forthcoming 1999 expansion draws heavily from Dark Sector and is anticipated to weave in elements from Digital Extremes’ first game—some fans are even speculating about an in-game appearance by Hayden Tenno himself.

To commemorate the connection, the studio is offering Dark Sector on Steam completely free for a limited time. Their announcement encourages players to “dive into this pivotal slice of Digital Extremes history and combat the Technocyte Virus as Hayden Tenno!” But don’t dawdle, as you’ll want to add this title to your library before time runs out.

Dark Sector is yours to keep at no cost on Steam right now, but don’t wait too long—the offer concludes on Saturday, November 30, at 9am PT/ 12pm ET/ 5pm GMT/ 6pm CET. You can snag it here.

If you’re eager to learn more about what’s on the horizon with the new Warframe expansion, check out our dedicated Warframe 1999 guide. Additionally, explore other fantastic free PC games you can start playing immediately.

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