At TennoCon 2022, Digital Extremes debuted the first trailer for its upcoming free-to-play action hybrid MMORPG Soulframe, and while a lot of TennoCon 2023 obviously focused on Warframe, developers also gave fans a pretty in-depth look at Soulframe gameplay.
For Warframe, fans got a plethora of exciting reveals. The studio released a new heirloom collection for Frost and Mag, detailed expectations for the Abyss of Dagath update in October (alongside new Warframe #54 Dagath), provided a look at gameplay for the Whispers in the Walls cinematic quest, confirmed Cross-Save would arrive before the end of the year, and announced a few 2024 plans like Warframe Mobile and Warframe: 1999.
Soulframe's gameplay demonstration focuses on three key areas: combat, lore, and a few mechanics. It's immediately clear that the combat is a little more weighted than Warframe, giving it a more visceral and earthy feel, matching the general tones of the isle of Midrath, Soulframe's setting. The devs explained more about the Ode'n, the role of ancestors, and so forth, as well as how it serves as a "sister" to Warframe.
Soulframe Gameplay Features
Soulframe's section begins after the excellent orchestral performance.
- Solo and Co-op, Free-to-Play
- PvE Focus
- Dialogue Options
- Armor Selection
- An Ancestral Guide in Orlick
- Combat features: Dodge Roll, Block, Pary, ability to throw and recall a sword, Magic
- A hub world, described as a buildable village, located in the Lake of Ancestors
- 3 Virtues: Courage, Spirit, and Grace for customization
- Pacts are earned by defeating Omen Beasts. This is akin to swapping frames.
- Pacts are represented by interchangeable arms.
- Acquiring Ancestor Souls impacts skills.
- Procedural Dungeons
- Every location has Wandering Souls to improve and encourage repeating dungeons.
- Wolf Mount
- Some form of Ocarina-like instrument, used in this presentation to see something set in the past.
There are a lot of interesting moments throughout this TennoCon presentation, and it's very clear how different Soulframe is from Warframe. Both have their own identity and their own beauty, that much is clear. The dungeon, the use of language, the combat, and more all highlight the core themes of Soulframe. Interestingly, there is a mention of something known as a "Collector," but what that is or how it impacts the game was not made clear. The same goes for another important character or entity, simply referred to as the Empress.
While the general combat was rather straightforward, it ended with a glance at a boss fight. The Omen Beast, in the form of a deer, was seemingly corrupted and purified by the player character, with it bestowing upon them power as the gameplay came to an end.
Soulframe Screenshots
With Soulframe, players will step into an in-depth RPG filled with romanticism and fantasy, taking on the role of an Envoy (similar to Warframe's Tennos). While plenty of details are still scarce, it appears to be shaping up as an exciting MMORPG.
Soulframe is in development.