LONDON, Ontario — Soulframe is the next large-scale online role-playing game by developer Digital Extremes, the creators of Warframe.
The much-anticipated game is set in a new fantasy world where players take on the role of guardians known as Envoys who are tasked with restoring harmony to the natural world. The player will face off against a variety of foes that have long corrupted the expansive lands.
Watch the Soulframe Preludes gameplay:
Much like Warframe, Soulframe puts a spotlight on its sprawling world rife with opportunities and events to undertake. Players can jump in solo or team up with others to uncover dangerous dungeons and friendly settlements in the world’s remote regions. As players explore this colorful and serene world, they can expand their suite of abilities to take on more challenging threats.
In the days ahead of TennoCon 2024, Level Infinite caught up with Digital Extremes CEO Steve Sinclair and learned more about the making of this new fantasy universe, and what players can expect when the Soulframe Preludes beta becomes available to more players later this year.
Into a bright and hopeful fantasy world
Soulframe brings players to an online world where they form pacts with spirits that grant them magical abilities and advanced combat skills.
The developers behind the game said they were inspired by the works of Studio Ghibli, particularly Princess Mononoke, for its focus on the conflict between nature and humanity, and larger hope to bring unity between both worlds.
According to Sinclair, the team behind Soulframe view it as a game that has strong creative ties to Warframe, even though it is set in a totally new universe. That said, it goes for its own style of storytelling and tone for a more unique role-playing experience.
We envision it to follow a very similar path to Warframe; it’s a game that started as a small golden nugget of concept that will continue to grow and grow with time
Steve Sinclair, Digital Extremes CEO
“We really see this game as a sister project to Warframe; it’s a free-to-play action-RPG MMO with a focus on character growth, and we hope to get the Preludes experience into more public hands this Fall.”
“For this game, we envision it to follow a very similar path to Warframe; it’s a game that started as a small golden nugget of concept that will continue to grow and grow with time after more players offer feedback,” said Sinclair.
It was essential for the developers to establish Soulframe as a contrast between other fantasy games. Soulframe goes for a brighter and more hopeful take on the fantasy genre—in contrast to other fantasy games that have a very dark and grim tone.
With various factions of the world in conflict, the very forces of nature seek to fight back; your task as an Envoy is to bring about unity across the different groups within the world.
Soulframe marks a narrative departure from Warframe
Compared to Warframe, Soulframe puts a deeper focus on role-playing as a single Envoy. Instead of a variety of characters to play as in Warframe, Soulframe presents one custom character that will evolve over the course of the adventure with new pacts, loadouts, and cosmetic choices.
The main protagonist also has stronger ties to the main plot, with the beginning of the game starting with their time as child, before gradually shifting to adulthood for the main game. The larger flow of Soulframe is similar to that of a traditional adventure role-playing game, where players can explore the world and take on missions at their own pace.
The larger flow of Soulframe is similar to that of a traditional adventure role-playing game, where players can explore the world and take on missions at their own pace.
Soulframe also goes for a more tactical pace for its combat, in contrast to the high-flying and rapid flow of Warframe. Similar to a Souls-style action RPG, the game pushes players to master dodging, parrying, and following up attacks with their melee and magic to defeat their foes.
When exploring Soulframe‘s overworld, players can uncover the many connective threads that hold the different factions and characters together. Players can also acquire mounts in the form of a giant wolf, allowing for faster movement across the landscape.
The Envoy also has a base of operations called the Nighthold, a spiritual realm that can be teleported to at any time. This is where players can customize their character and interact with key allies who assist in the journey.
Much like Warframe, Soulframe puts a keen focus on customizing the character. Players can apply new armor pieces to their protagonist and give them different weapon types that grant unique combat styles.
As players acquire new spiritual pacts that open up new abilities and expand their influence in the land, they will be able to face the world’s most fearsome warlords in battle.
Experience the game early
At TennoCon 2024, the developers stated that more players will be able to experience an early piece of the game, which will come in the form of Soulframe Preludes.
“The community we’ve formed around Soulframe has been really inspiring for the team and they are the backbone of everything we do,” said Sarah Asselin, Soulframe community manager. “We’re welcoming more new players than ever and we can’t wait to share our progress through regular Devstreams with the team as we continue to peel back Soulframe’s layers of intrigue.”
Currently, Soulframe Preludes is in closed beta for a select group of players. It will eventually be available to more players later this Fall, and anyone interested in getting a sneak peak at Soulframe on PC can sign up to play the build on the official site for the game.
Soulframe is currently in development and is planned for a free-to-play release on PC and consoles.
