When is the Soulframe launch date? The upcoming fantasy MMORPG from the creators behind Warframe has been on our minds because it was first introduced in 2022. There’s nonetheless little identified in regards to the venture, apart from that it’s a stunning open-world recreation set in a pure setting, and revolving round themes of local weather change and environmental destruction, so after all we needed to discover out extra.
Throughout our time at Tennocon 2023, we caught a glimpse into the world of Soulframe, which actually seems to be and feels very totally different to its sister, Warframe. Right here’s all the pieces we all know in regards to the MMORPG in the intervening time, and boy does it seem like it’ll be a very good one.
Soulframe launch date hypothesis
The Soulframe launch date is slated for late 2024, as soon as this 12 months’s Warframe enlargement is out of the best way.
Venture lead Steve Sinclair tweeted in August 2022 that he hoped the staff “can do some closed alpha stuff subsequent 12 months”. This might imply {that a} handful of gamers will be capable to get their arms on the sport within the subsequent few months, although there isn’t any information on this but.
There will even be common growth streams to maintain gamers excited, as confirmed in an interview. Inventive Director Geoff Crookes advised us, “Whereas we don’t have a launch date or window to share at the moment, we do plan to maintain gamers engaged by periodically internet hosting growth streams that can provide info and perception into our groups’ progress.”
Soulframe trailers
The Soulframe reveal trailer was the primary spotlight of Tennocon 2022, displaying off Digital Extremes’ subsequent main venture. As a purely cinematic trailer, no precise gameplay footage was proven. Nonetheless, it does give some perception into how the sport will differentiate itself from the developer’s earlier video games, together with Warframe.
Whereas the official cinematic trailer remains to be the one trailer accessible, for those who’re excited by figuring out extra in regards to the growth of the sport, the developer kick-off video under would possibly scratch the itch left by such minimal info.
Soulframe Gameplay
Soulframe’s is a stark distinction to the motion we’ve come to know and love in Warframe. As an alternative of going for fast-paced lightning-style motion, the staff needed to actually sluggish issues down and actually let you consider each motion. There’s plenty of dodging and parrying, but additionally an entire slew of various fight mechanics, too.
Within the Tennocon 2023 demo, we see our character throw their sword at an enemy, just for it to return zooming again like a boomerang. There are additionally three totally different ability bushes (Braveness, Grace, Spirit) that help you change into extra tanky, extra agile or, alternatively, used nature-based magic. There are spells that seem to show enemies to stone, in addition to the standard fireballs and ground-shattering earthquakes.
You can even use the setting to your benefit, with the flexibility to kick enemies off of excessive buildings and into chasms. And, if that doesn’t do it for you, you can even summon an enormous wolf that tears your enemies asunder. Oh, and you can even trip the wolf, by the best way, so there’s that.
Inventive director Geoff Crookes has additionally given The Submit some perception into the place you is likely to be travelling outdoors of the hub space. In keeping with Crookes, “the world itself is slightly indignant about what’s been executed to it, and the grounds beneath are likely to shift all through the day”. When it comes to gameplay, which means that dungeons are, certainly, procedural.
As you enterprise by these situations you’ll encounter Wandering Souls, that are spirits whose virtues you’ll be able to equip as successfully a fourth spell slot. These might help you navigate by dungeons by opening new doorways and pathways, or present fight advantages like burning weapons.
Considered one of my favourite options, although, is that you just work together with the world by enjoying music on what seems to be a panpipe. Taking part in sure notes will offer you the chance to view echoes of occasions passed by, supplying you with perception into how the world
Soulframe setting and story
Soulframe follows a rogue Ode, or sky individuals. We’re not sure why our character has determined to desert the Ode, however they group seems to be corrupting the world round it. We meet the mysterious Girl Deora, a determine who seems to have been corrupted by the Ode and turned towards nature. How we all know her is unclear, and what occurs to her as soon as she has been ‘purified’ additionally stays a thriller.
What we do know is that our character seems to have been despatched by a mysterious ‘Empress,’ who the once-corrupted stag, Garren bows to. You’re described as an ‘envoy,’ however your function on the planet stays unclear.
Both means, it’s clear that the sport is, to borrow DE’s phrases, “closely influenced by themes of nature, restoration, and exploration.” Not like Warframe’s futuristic areas and characters, the world of Soulframe tendencies extra in direction of fantasy and magic, however isn’t significantly grimdark in nature. There are nonetheless hints that Soulframe gained’t utterly stray from sci-fi although, with character designs nonetheless retaining some futuristic parts, just like the participant’s bionic arm and an enormous spaceship-style construction that’s seen within the latter half of the Tennocon 2023 demo.
That theme of nature is obvious from the trailer, too, because the participant each helps animals and groups up with them in battle, as we see in the course of the loading screens, and the small fowl familiars that may information you thru the dungeons. In an interview with the Washington Submit, the Soulframe staff names Princess Mononoke and The NeverEnding Story as inspirations for the sport. With a heavy deal with environmentalism within the former, then, maybe the story might sort out the topic of environmental destruction, amongst different themes.
On the official Soulframe Twitter feed, extra of this theme of nature and wildlife may be seen in a sequence of more moderen photos, that includes the likes of cute deer and sumptuous elk, Garren, that we see make an look after the boss battle.
As for its hyperlinks to Warframe, in a “Warframe / Soulframe Transition Stream”, the staff states that, whereas each titles will not be in the identical universe, they’re engaged on easter eggs and different connections to tie each video games collectively. Whereas Soulframe is neither a prequel or sequel to Warframe, the developer hopes that these connections a minimum of give followers of the free PC recreation one thing to look out for, with Crookes telling us, “Warframe gamers will discover some similarities to sure seems to be or selections.”
Soulframe platforms and crossplay
No launch platforms for Soulframe have been revealed at present. Primarily based on the discharge historical past for Warframe although, a PC launch is nearly assured. Console variations are more durable to nail down, although current-gen PS5 and Xbox Collection X|S releases appear to be a given.
With no launch platforms, it’s additionally unknown whether or not Soulframe will assist crossplay. For the longest time, Warframe had no form of crossplay carried out in any respect. This modified with the sport’s launch on PS5, permitting cross-gen play between present and final gen PlayStation consoles. It was additionally revealed throughout TennoCon 2022 that full crossplay between all programs would lastly be arriving, although that is nonetheless in growth.
And that’s all the pieces we all know to this point about Soulframe. With growth nonetheless in its early phases, it is likely to be a while earlier than extra gameplay is proven, however we’ll replace you as soon as we all know extra. When you can’t wait, why not check out our greatest Warframe builds and fill your time with DE’s different epic MMO, or attempt top-of-the-line PC video games accessible proper now.
