Soulframe debuts new gameplay at Tennocon – and we’ll be playing it this year

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Soulframe debuts new gameplay at Tennocon - and we'll be playing it this year

As a long-time gamer with a deep appreciation for immersive and intricately designed worlds, I am genuinely thrilled about Digital Extremes’ upcoming title, Soulframe. Having spent countless hours exploring the gritty landscapes of Warframe, I’m excited to see the studio take us to an almost medieval wilderness with this new game.

As a huge fan of Digital Extremes and their games, I’m excited about the new direction they’re taking with Soulframe. Unlike Warframe’s gritty 1999 expansion that immerses us in a dark and industrial world, Soulframe transports us to an almost medieval wilderness – a refreshing change from the studio’s previous work.

I was thoroughly impressed by the team’s reveal of their more methodical combat style and captivating RPG elements with randomized dungeons last year. At TennoCon 2024, we were treated to an engaging live devstream that gave us a sneak peek into these features.

Tennocon gives deeper look at Soulframe

Soulframe debuts new gameplay at Tennocon - and we'll be playing it this year

Players assume the roles of Envoy descendants, soldiers with a strong sense of heritage. In accordance with the game’s emphasis on family bonds, Soulframe’s character generator depicts your protagonist being cradled by their mother during the creation process. The mother’s description is narrated before you are sent away for protection.

In the demo, our protagonist enters the Nightfold realm at a later stage. Players have the flexibility to transition between worlds at any moment, accompanied by an impressive visual effect as their character reverses direction and emerges from the mist. This spectral plane offers opportunities for players to connect with ancestors, modify weapons, create equipment, and much more.

Soulframe debuts new gameplay at Tennocon - and we'll be playing it this year

To access and interact with your ancestral lineage, you must invite each one to join Nightfold. This action will bring them into the game, allowing you to explore their backgrounds further and take advantage of their new advancement options. Additionally, players have the flexibility to change between Pacts and character classes within the game, enabling them to assume various roles such as assassin or tank.

During the brief presentation, the Envoy stealthily approached and assaulted a band of adversaries, then rescued a captive rodent. Following the rat’s lead, the Envoy encountered Verminia, an ancient Witch.

Soulframe debuts new gameplay at Tennocon - and we'll be playing it this year

As I journeyed on, an unexpected foe named Nimrod emerged, announcing his presence with a sudden clap of thunder and a mighty war cry. He attacked fiercely before disappearing only to reappear once more. According to recent reports, this menacing adversary intends to make another appearance, so I must remain vigilant and always be on the lookout for ominous clouds in the sky.

As a fan, I’m thrilled about the option to bring Verminia into my Nightfold team. Her expertise in gear crafting and customization will be invaluable to me. Plus, she gives us a sneak peek into an intriguing new enemy: Bromius, an armored bear with a swampy vibe that’s reminiscent of bayou horror.

You can play it soon

According to Geoff Crookes, Soulframe’s Creative Director, the closed testing we’ve been conducting with our community has been incredibly valuable. We’ve gained a lot of insights, and we’re still open to feedback and learning every day.

“This fall, we aim to expand the access to more players. The current version may have some rough spots, which aligns with our experimental approach. Constructive criticism is valuable to us, and we frequently make improvements based on it.”

At Soulframe’s website, players have the opportunity to secure their Envoy status and sign up for the Preludes beta tests’ exclusive access. With last year’s reveal of procedurally generated dungeons, it’s clear that Soulframe is aiming high, and I’m excited to learn more about it.

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2024-07-20 20:42