Soulframe’s New Gameplay Unveiled at TennoCon 2024: A Glimpse into Digital Extremes’ Next Epic

Ibrahim Murtaza
Maxerom Gaming
Published in
3 min readJul 21, 2024

Digital Extremes has once again captivated the gaming community, this time with their latest game, Soulframe, showcased at TennoCon 2024.

Soulframe logo

Known for their groundbreaking work on Warframe, the studio is branching out with this new medieval fantasy title, marking their first major project since 2017’s The Amazing Eternals.

Soulframe promises a unique blend of action-RPG elements with a focus on immersive melee combat and rich character customization.

Unveiling the World of Soulframe

At TennoCon 2024, Digital Extremes gave attendees a deep dive into Soulframe’s evolving world through their dev stream. The game, still without a set release date, has been engaging players with the Soulframe Preludes — an early access experience designed to introduce and test the game’s mechanics and world-building.

Soulframe ingame screenshot

According to Geoff Crookes, Soulframe’s creative director, the feedback from these pre-releases has been invaluable. “We continue to listen and learn each day,” Crookes noted, highlighting the studio’s commitment to refining the game based on community input.

Players can expect broader access this autumn as the development team gears up to incorporate more feedback.

Innovative Customization and Combat

One of Soulframe’s most intriguing features revealed at TennoCon 2024, is its character customization system. Players will start by crafting their in-game parent, a process dubbed “momcrafting.”

Soulframe Screenshot

During this phase, choices about the mother’s appearance influence the protagonist’s final look, with poetic narration reflecting these decisions. This unique approach adds a personal touch to character creation, setting Soulframe apart from other titles.

Combat in Soulframe takes a deliberate, heavy approach, a stark contrast to the fast-paced, acrobatic style of Warframe. “Where ‘Warframe’ is focused on shooting, this one’s focused on melee,” explained Steve Sinclair, Digital Extremes CEO.

The game introduces the Pact system — a cursed arm that acts as a character class, providing various magical abilities and enhancing the melee combat experience. In the demo, players experienced the ability to wield a halberd with Thor-like finesse, adding a strategic layer to the melee battles.

Exploring the Nightfold and Ancestral Spirits

Soulframe features an overworld with procedurally generated dungeons, just like Warframe’s mission design. Players can also access the Nightfold, a personal hub area that functions similarly to Warframe’s Orbiter.

Within the Nightfold, players will encounter ancestral spirits such as Verminia the Rat Witch, who will aid in crafting potions and offer cosmetic customization options. Additionally, players will befriend a giant, friendly wolf mount, enhancing the game’s fantasy feel.

Community and Future Developments

Digital Extremes has emphasized the role of community feedback in shaping Soulframe. “The community we’ve formed around Soulframe has been really inspiring for the team,” said Sarah Asselin, Soulframe’s community manager.

This dedication to player input will continue to drive the game’s development as more players are invited to participate in the coming months.

As Digital Extremes prepares to expand access and further develop Soulframe, the anticipation continues to build.

With its rich world-building, innovative customization, and deep combat mechanics, Soulframe is set to be a significant addition to the studio’s portfolio. Fans and new players alike should keep an eye on future updates and dev streams for more insights into this promising new title.

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