A New Fantasy Adventure from the Developers of Warframe
Soulframe has been in development for a while, but access to its ‘Preludes’ closed alpha has remained limited. Digital Extremes noted that out of over a million applicants, only a fraction received access to the game. At the TennoCon 2025 expo, I had an opportunity to see more of the game and learned that wider access is finally on the horizon. While I’m excited about what I saw, I also have some concerns.
For those unfamiliar with the title, Soulframe is a free-to-play action-fantasy game developed by Digital Extremes, the same studio behind Warframe. Though the naming might be confusing, it’s clear that the developers are aiming for something new and different. Despite being in the closed alpha stage for a while, I’ve been following the game closely because of the success of Warframe, which has earned the studio a lot of credibility.
During the live demo at TennoCon, I was shown a new narrative quest, along with improved combat mechanics and customization options. Two main thoughts came to mind: this game is wonderfully weird, and I wonder if that will be enough to make it a success.
Embracing the Unusual
Digital Extremes has always been known for creating games with unique and sometimes bizarre content. Warframe blends multiple genres seamlessly, moving between intense emotional storylines and humorous moments. Soulframe takes this to another level with exaggerated voice performances and strange creatures that sing folk songs.
Visually, the game draws from various influences. The mushroom-filled underground area in the demo reminded me of Skyrim’s Blackreach and the fungal forests in Avowed. The darker areas of the overworld resemble the gritty fantasy settings of Souls titles and The Witcher. Enemies, too, feel familiar—like a three-headed bear with a bell attached to its jaw, which could easily pass for a Bloodborne boss.
These similarities aren’t necessarily bad. I enjoy all the games mentioned, and it’s a positive sign that Soulframe can evoke them. There’s also plenty of originality, such as the ‘Floppet,’ a cute winged rat-creature that flies through a monster’s digestive tract. There’s even a funny animation where you kick smaller enemies away, which looks hilarious.
Keeping Up with the Competition
In short, I believe Soulframe has enough original ideas to make up for any surface-level similarities to other fantasy games. The high fantasy genre is well-trodden, so there’s only so much you can do to keep things fresh. The audio work here is also impressive, with great music, voice acting, and sound design.
However, my concern is that Soulframe might lack a unique mechanical identity compared to other games. Warframe’s success comes from its distinct gameplay elements, like unmatched movement mechanics, a deep gear modding system, and a variety of vehicles and gameplay loops.
Soulframe doesn’t have that yet. The gameplay in the demo is fun, but not groundbreaking. It includes dodging, blocking, ranged attacks with a magic staff or bow, and melee with a dagger that can be thrown. The most unique feature is an ability that turns the player into a butterfly for stealthy approaches, which functions similarly to an invisibility spell. In motion, it reminds me of a prettier Greedfall, which isn’t entirely flattering.
A Changing Industry Landscape
Even as a big Warframe fan, I can’t deny that the game had its early rough patches. There was a popular meme about the best way to move around in ‘old Warframe’ using a jump, slide, and spinning melee with a dual blade weapon. Warframe has come a long way since then.
There’s a part of me that believes DE can turn Soulframe into something just as unique and exciting. However, the gaming industry has changed significantly since Warframe’s beginnings, making it harder to launch a new IP successfully.
Audiences and investors are less patient now. Live-service games are frequently launched, canceled, and even relaunched. While Tencent, a major stakeholder in DE, has given the studio freedom with Warframe, that may not extend to newer ventures.
Soulframe has potential, but there’s no guarantee DE will have the time and resources to refine it as they did with Warframe. After all, Warframe is already a successful and profitable game.
Still, I hope I’m wrong. Warframe has always been a labor of love, and with Steve Sinclair, the CEO, acting as director on Soulframe after handing over the reins of Warframe to Rebecca Ford, it’s fair to say the game is in capable hands. If anyone can shape this fantasy world into something fresh and unusual, it’s this team.
I’m eagerly waiting for the next update on Soulframe’s progress. You’d better be working on some rat customization options, DE.