Warframe's upcoming update is finally adding content focused on Railjack, a mode that has largely been absent ever since its inception. Introduced in the 2019 Empyrean update, the Railjack is a customizable spacecraft used to engage in Warframe's space combat missions. Although developer Digital Extremes has integrated the special mode into several quests and gameplay systems over the years, it has largely remained sidelined without proper updates.
Despite its ambitious scope, it's one of the looter shooter's most polarizing features. Warframe has faced criticism for its "content island" issue, where new systems are often disconnected from the core experience, with Railjack's confined experience as a prime example. It doesn't help that Warframe's Railjack quests offer poor onboarding, and its reliance on coordinated teams can make early missions frustrating. While solo play is possible with an AI crew, players will still need to grind through the mode before it becomes a viable option.
Warframe Is Overhauling Its New Player Experience
Digital Extremes outlines some major Warframe changes that it's set to make with the goal of overhauling the game's new player experience.
Warframe's Next Update Adds Brand New Railjack Content
During Devstream 195, Digital Extremes confirmed that Warframe's upcoming Jade Shadows: Constellation update will introduce new Railjack missions directly tied to its story arc. The game's newest content update is set to arrive in June 2026, following the events of the Jade Shadows storyline that came out two years prior. After the quest, players will unlock a new area called Uranus Proxima and Pontis Tower, an exclusive social hub for undertaking Railjack missions.
Creative director Rebecca Ford has given a hint about the storyline of Jade Shadows: Constellation. Recalling the events of the first questline, players will name Stalker's newborn either Sirius or Orion. However, it seems that the son who wasn't chosen lives in a doomed future, and they'll have to go find their father in the past with the help of their mentors to save their timeline. GameRant has previously interviewed Rebb Ford about Stalker's role in the overarching narrative, and there are hints of what to expect in the aftermath.
With every update, Warframe has been adding new Protoframes to the mix, showing the personalities and motivations of figures that eventually turn into frames. Jade Shadows: Constellation is introducing two Protoframes, each accompanying Stalker's sons. Ryoku (Ash) is loyal to Sirius, while Venda (Garuda) mentors Orion. On the Devstream, Rebb emphasized that these Protoframes aren't romanceable, nor will they have the usual Kim system, but they will be recruitable as a Railjack crew member after earning their trust through completing missions.
Fans of the Railjack system will rejoice at the introduction of new missions types and crew members. However, there weren't any mentions of the core gameplay itself. Without overhauling its outdated systems or adding shiny upgrades to chase, this update will do little to encourage more Tennos to invest in Railjack. What's worse is that, much like how players avoid the Duviri Paradox won't build Oraxia in Warframe, players who avoid Railjack may deliberately miss out on the content of the new update.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 73/100 Critics Rec: 54%
- Released
- March 25, 2013
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Language, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Digital Extremes
- Publisher(s)
- Digital Extremes
