Warframe developer Digital Extremes has revealed more gameplay for its upcoming fantasy MMO, Soulframe.
The studio pulled back the curtain on its next project during an introductory development stream as part of TennoCon 2024. It’s a closer look at some of the opening moments of the game, revealing customization features, new magical abilities and combat. The footage also gives us a longer look at the players’ wolf-like steed and the Nightfold hub, where you can relax, customize your arsenal, and talk to NPCs, all at the touch of a button. It shares some similarities with Warframe’s Orbiter ship, and in case you’re wondering, yes, you can pet your horse here.
It all starts with a look at the Warsong Prologue, which highlights customization options for their mother’s hair, skin color, eyes, and more as Soulframe begins. It reveals a taste not only of new features, but also how the themes of Origin have been woven into the entire experience. This fully narrated intro sequence is then cut short as a time skip shoots us into the future, revealing what each player’s messenger will eventually become.
We got an even better look at the importance of visuals in Soulframe thanks to the introduction of a new NPC: Verminia, the Rat Witch. Digital Extremes says this character can “enhance cosmetic customization” while helping out with potions, elixirs, and more. While the Envoy’s abilities allow them to throw their weapons at enemies and turn invisible for stealth approaches, Soulframe players will need more than brute strength to take down large enemies like Nimrod. This towering giant uses lightning abilities for ranged combat while also using a staff for close combat, and it looks like we’ll be fighting them more than once.
“The community around which we have formed Soulframe it’s been really inspiring for the team and they are the backbone of everything we do,” Soulframe Community Manager Sarah Asselin said in a statement. “We’re welcoming more new players than ever and look forward to sharing our progress through regular Devstreams with the team as we continue to push back Soulframe’s layers of intrigue.
Today’s Soulframe gameplay should whet the appetites of both Warframe veterans and those who have never touched a Digital Extremes game, but there’s still a lot to look forward to before its official release. However, during today’s TennoCon presentation, Digital Extremes promised plans to get their fantasy MMO into the hands of more players sometime this fall. While the plan remains unchanged, the studio says that anyone who wants to play Soulframe Preludes will be able to when they sign up.
“The closed testing we do with our community has been so impactful; we learned a lot and continue to listen and learn every day,” Soulframe creative director Jeff Crooks said in a statement. “We hope to open this up to many more players this fall. Everything is still rough around the edges, but that’s part of our style – feedback is important to us and we really iterate on it regularly.”
We learned even more about Soulframe during our interview with Digital Extremes CEO Steve Sinclair, Crooks, and Asselin. During our conversation, we got insight into how the studio is sticking to its community-driven development approach, a variety of weapons, potential connections to Warframe, and more. Expect the full interview to be out early next week.
Soulframe launches first on PC with plans to hit consoles at an unspecified point in the future. Another developer stream is set to take place in September.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor to IGN. He began writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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