At Tennocon 2023, reveals had been plentiful for followers of Digital Excessive’s sci-fi motion MMO Warframe. However maybe probably the most fascinating (no shade to Warframe 1999, after all) was Soulframe, which had its first gameplay demo presentation in entrance of a giant crowd.
I had issues that maybe the sport could be too spinoff of the corporate’s most notable success story. Ever because the recreation’s reveal final 12 months, “fantasy Warframe” was a label connected to the mission. Partly as a result of ease, after all – you say that and folks immediately get the gist – but in addition as a result of shared DNA between this new journey and the decade-old galaxy spanning romp.
If the Tennocon 2023 demonstration did something, it helped Soulframe set itself other than its older brother. It does seem as “fantasy Warframe” right here and there – a standard thread between the Warframe, Soulframe, and even Wayfinder is evident to any accustomed to the corporate’s work – however Soulframe takes off in a newfound route from its friends in a manner that is immediately refreshing to take a look at.
For one, it is slower. Approach slower. A truth that will initially fear long-time followers of Warframe. Among the best bits of Warframe is its velocity, its looseness. Soulframe seems purposeful, heavier however not with out cause. In an age the place Souls-likes reign supreme, the place third-person action-RPGs have a stranglehold on the trade, it is a recreation with apparent enchantment to an viewers exterior the Warframe trustworthy.
Which means Soulframe has the potential to have extra impactful, kinetic fights than Warframe has. With that being mentioned, this kind of factor depends fairly closely on the weapon-to-weapon expertise. Warframe has some weapons that pack a critical punch, and others that do not fairly have that degree of kick behind them. Whereas Warframe’s gameplay loop is addicting because of the velocity and flexibility of the expertise, Soulframe must nail that punchiness that you simply discover all through the most effective third-person motion video games round in the present day.
It is also good to see Digital Extremes use Soulframe’s slower tempo as a possibility to re-think fight. In Warframe, particularly with some experience underneath your belt, you completely rocket by means of ranges. That is meant and mirrored within the recreation; enemies are available huge waves so gamers can rapidly sprint into an space, wipe out dozens of enemies with bombastic assaults, then go away simply as rapidly. Soulframe is slower, so the handfuls shrink down to 2 or three, and bombastic assaults rework into environmental interactions.
Spike traps, hearth results, kicking fellas off cliffs. Nothing altogether new for gaming however seemingly integral to the method of exploration in Soulframe. Sluggish and harmful foes hit exhausting, so slowing down and dropping some spikes on a man? Go wild. Darkish Messiah of May and Magic fashion. I feel it might be an actual disgrace if the distinctive modifiers for every class (or pact) do not help you fiddle with these newfound environments.
Talking of setting, Soulframe is clearly a recreation with an environmental message at its core. There’s been this development of recreation’s making use the present doomer state of the world as background dressing (I am taking a look at you, Battlefield 2042). To see Soulframe place the battle between fashionable consolation and ecological harm is genuinely fascinating and vastly completely different than the assorted different MMOs round proper now.
I used to be additionally blissful to see a tease at customisation. The Braveness / Spirit / Grace stat having each an motion and dialogue affect is sweet. The solar and moon affinity system in Warframe was at all times in a little bit of a bizarre spot, so with that taking part in a extra apparent position together with your private character expression is refreshing to see. Additionally, ancestors offering stats in your characters soul seems to be a simplified alternative for mods. All of it seems to be simpler to digest, and extra conventional RPG in fashion, which in the end I feel is sweet for the sport’s future. Some issues are good in Warframe, however should not be compelled into each mission Digital Extremes does.
Watching the demonstration reside, and a number of other occasions since, there’s plenty of neat points to Soulframe. Nevertheless, whereas a primary impression is essential, truly transitioning right into a full recreation is a unique matter altogether. I am anxious to see whether or not the slower strategy to motion retains that satisfying oomph that Warframe has. I am additionally eager to seek out out Whether or not the ancestor-focused development and customisation will likely be as engaging as Warframe’s personal intricate strategy.
There’s clearly some slack you have to give to a brand new recreation versus a 10-year-old monster, however to a level that is an unavoidable bar Soulframe has to battle in opposition to. With no agency launch date, I will personally be preserving tabs on the mission because it nears an eventual launch date. If realized fastidiously by the staff behind it, it may form as much as be an thrilling addition to the MMO market. As of proper now, it is definitely one of the crucial intriguing.
All content material above relies on a hands-off preview, and was written following a visit to Tennocon 2023, which was paid for by Digital Extremes.
