Soulframe Preview - Everything We Know So Far- In this Soulframe Preview - Everything We Know So Far special, we are going to take a look at the newly announced free-to-play action MMORPG by Digital Extremes, the creative studio behind Warframe. If you are looking for a breakdown of the things we have learned about the highly anticipated fantasy game, then this article is for you!
Soulframe Preview - Everything We Know So Far
Warframe has been around since 2013. This free-to-play third-person sci-fi shooter game by Digital Extremes continues to be a labor of love so much so that there is always something new to pull and attract veteran and new players alike. For instance, two expansions will be released within the next couple of months, namely Veilbreaker (the smaller, single-player expansion about the return of the beloved Grineer Kahl-175) and the Duviri Paradox featuring a monochromatic, roguelite, and open-world experience.
Fast forward to May 2022 when Reddit pointed out a trademark listing in Europe by the same developers, calling their next IP, Soulframe. Up until TennoCon 2022, which took place this weekend, we were not sure what this new game would be about. Will it follow in Warframe’s footsteps when it comes to delivering fast-paced and well-designed gameplay systems? Will it serve as a sequel? We will answer all of these and more!
Soulframe Preview - Teaser Trailer
The official teaser of Soulframe starts by showing a lantern with strange symbols. Immediately after, a subdued wolf is introduced into the frame, and the chain that holds it down is being nailed to the ground by an unknown soldier. The camera then pans out to depict a sword (or perhaps the First Excalibur), which has been driven into a medium-sized rock. In a different scenario, we meet a captive and his incarcerator, who deems him as “family” yet strikes the man thereafter. And once again, the same iconography we have seen on the lantern is briefly highlighted in the background.
However, the air of mystery does not end there as we meet the unconscious captive by the shore as he is dragged by a moose with eyes painted on its antlers. After having recovered, he goes to the place where the soldiers are camping out. What’s interesting this time around is that first, his right arm is no longer encased in some sort of locked armor. Now we get to take a closer look at the different inscriptions adorned on his seemingly powerful arm. And second, he is able to free the Excalibur, allowing him to wield it in combat.
Perhaps this is an allusion to King Arthur, who was able to pull the sword from the stone, proving that he was the rightful heir to Britain. The Excalibur is also a symbol of divinity and power. In particular, its scabbard is known to possess magic so much so that whoever uses this on the battlefield, will remain protected.
Going back to the teaser, our captive attacks the soldiers with the sword but what’s even more apparent is the way in which he uses his right arm to take advantage of the encounter. In a brief moment, he holds the sword with his left hand and then snaps using his right, letting him release some kind of power that knocks back the opponent. He then hammers the sword into the ground, sending a wave of strong energy, which freezes his enemies and turns them into stone. This then makes you wonder what else we will be capable of doing, assuming that this character is who we will play as. And remember the wolf in chains? Well, he was freed from his shackles soon after the fight.
Soulframe Preview - Website Puzzles
There are several keyholes, which probably means that the player will need to find corresponding keys in the game to unlock their full potential as an Envoy. Once you have figured out the correct combination of symbols, the right arm will be rid of its lock. Subsequent images from the trailer appear, again, with various insignias to decipher what they mean. These images refer to the scene showing the militia huddled in a campfire with the lantern, sword, and chained wolf; the captive himself who is trapped in the sky beyond the clouds; and a closeup of the wolf.
Soulframe Preview - The Sinecure
The first image refers to the “Sinecure”, which is a position giving the receiver some sort of payment even if they are not really required to perform specific duties. The term was popularized during the medieval times when people who held jobs in the ecclesiastical sector were not required to put in the effort, hence, they did not bear any responsibility for the “cure of souls”. In this case, the Sinecures are probably the soldiers whose only task is to pin the wolf down.
Additionally, the symbols on the lantern could represent the 9 realms surrounding the World Tree Yggdrasil in Norse Mythology. All of the realms including Asgard and Niflheim, are known to house creatures of different beings.
Soulframe Preview - The Orengal and the Ode
This is further supported by the wolf, otherwise known as the Orengal. It could allude to Fenrir, who was chained to a rock to prevent him from unleashing his pure strength and evil into the world. In the mythos, he would be freed from oppression at the start of Ragnarok to slay the gods, particularly the chief god Odin. It is also believed that Fenrir will devour the Sun. Furthermore, the moose in the trailer could be a reference to Odin.
When you dig deeper into the website, you will eventually gain access to a clearer depiction of the moose or The Ode whose central elements focus on eyes and ravens, which the Allfather are predominantly known for. Eyes for his sacrifice of a physical part of the body to gain divine-like wisdom whereas the ravens are his companions who keep him well-informed of everything that is taking place in the world.
Soulframe Preview - Banished
The mystery behind Soulframe does not end here since there is another image to piece together, which is that of the captive. Translated into English, the corresponding symbols refer to “Banished”. Our role in the game makes more sense when the final piece of the website’s puzzle is unlocked, meaning when you decode the poem. The poem talks about a war that started from the sky against the so-called “Knight-Maidens” but rather than fighting using swords, songs were cast instead.
Songs could mean polluted air since none of the characters in the trailer took off their masks or respirators, possibly protecting them from this blight, except for the Envoy at the very end. Whoever heard or breathed the air made them into husks of the people they were, ridding them of their virtues such as love and spirit.
However, some survived and fled to “Ode’n Castles”, only to come back with twisted souls. We soon find out that the reason for the disintegration of mankind is a “New Industry”, which plundered the earth of its precious resources, bleeding it dry. But now, there is hope in the hands of the same creatures we took advantage of. And as a Banished Envoy, our goal is to bargain and reforge our relationship with the Earth to bring an end to this destruction.
Soulframe Preview - Princess Mononoke and The NeverEnding Story
Soulframe’s story is inspired by Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke as well as The NeverEnding Story in terms of the player character’s involvement in the war between industry and Mother Nature. We will possibly see Mother Nature’s strong reaction against the travesty she has experienced due to the draining of her resources. The MMORPGs themes will revolve around nature, exploration, and adventure as the Envoy attempts to restore balance once and for all.
According to Soulframe’s Creative Director Geoff Crookes, “The conceit in Soulframe is that the world itself is a little angry about what’s been done to it, and the grounds underneath tend to shift throughout the day. So there’s going to be proceduralism within the cave networks and crevasses and so on underneath the world.”
Warframe versus Soulframe
In the same interview with Crookes and Lead Steve Sinclair, they confirm that the game is not a sequel to Warframe, but rather a sister of it. This could possibly mean that certain systems from the sci-fi shooter are borrowed and baked into the upcoming fantasy game such as the PvE combat style with randomly generated environments. Where Warframe takes on a movement gameplay system, which is quick and snappy with a greater focus on shooting, Soulframe’s gameplay will be more subdued and heavy to highlight its melee combat.
It is important to draw a line early on in the development process where both Crookes and Sinclair share that the gameplay will be different fromElden Ringor the qualities ofSoulsliketitles by FromSoftware. They did not draw inspiration from these when they initially conceptualized Soulframe. Right now, we are not yet sure what the combat will feel like since the game is currently in the very early stages of development. Although ideas started to come together in 2019, Digital Extremes only had a small team back then, mostly comprised of artists, until February of this year.
The reason why Sinclair and Crookes decided to reveal Soulframe now is to remain transparent to the community and to involve them in the evolution process. Their goal is to have a playable version of the game ready within a year so you should definitely mark your calendars! According to Sinclair, they want to take a similar approach to Warframe where the fans are able to test and play as early as possible to know the systems that work and those that do not.
And lastly, the hub of Soulframe will be synonymous with Warframe’s open-world hubs where you see other players and interact with NPCs to trade items. They will also emphasize exploration above all else to make the world much more liveable, realistic, and immersive simultaneously.
Final Thoughts
Soulframe will definitely be a testament to how far Digital Extremes has grown. Given how well-designed Warframe is, both mechanically and aesthetically, I’m hoping to see the same treatment for this open-world fantasy MMORPG. It would be interesting to know how much of their previous game’s footprint will be integrated here whether it involves horizontal progression in which you do not need to reach endgame to feel as powerful, or the numerous loadouts and builds you can choose from depending on the equipment you craft. With the word “frame” being retained for this game, perhaps we will be able to change classes as easily as we can on Warframe. Who knows?
What did you think of the Soulframe reveal? Since it is a mirror version of Warframe, what gameplay features are you hoping to see in this title? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed thispreview, be sure to check out theBest RPGs Coming Out In 2022 (July to December),5 Best Steam Game Demos You Should Try NOW!, andWarhammer 40000: Rogue Trader Preview – Everything We Know So Far.
