Key Highlights and Announcements:
- Soulframe Gameplay Deep Dive: The conference featured an extended look at Soulframe gameplay. This included exploration of a new forested region called Neathuns, showcasing the game’s distinct high-fantasy setting and its contrast to Warframe’s sci-fi aesthetic. The trailer highlighted the world’s organic and somewhat melancholic atmosphere.
- Combat Showcase: The gameplay revealed more about Soulframe’s melee-focused combat system. It appears to emphasize weighty, impactful strikes and a more grounded movement compared to Warframe’s high-speed parkour. A “rage meter” tied to melee damage was shown, suggesting a system that rewards aggressive close-quarters fighting.
- Bromius Boss Reveal: A significant reveal was the introduction of a new Omen Beast boss named Bromius. This massive, three-headed armored bear-like creature offered a glimpse into the scale and design of Soulframe’s formidable enemies. The full boss fight is expected to be showcased at TennoCon later in July.
- Narrative Hints: The conference touched upon Soulframe’s lore, with cryptic verses hinting at the game’s themes of memory, forgetting, and the connection between souls and the land. The role of the player as an “Envoy” who can “unbind” souls and break a “gaunting spellsong” was further emphasized.
- “Preludes” Mention: In-person attendees of the TennoVIP event on May 9th and the Devstream 188 at PAX East received invite codes to “Soulframe Preludes.” While details about the Preludes weren’t extensively discussed, it suggests an early access or testing phase is on the horizon for a select group of players.
- Community Feedback Integration: The developers emphasized that the ongoing development of Soulframe is heavily influenced by community feedback, particularly in areas like combat, social systems, and world-building.
Overall Impressions:
- Intriguing New Direction: Soulframe continues to build anticipation as a distinct experience from Warframe. Its emphasis on melee combat, a more grounded fantasy setting, and a focus on lore and atmosphere have resonated with many.
- Visual Appeal: The environments and creature designs showcased were visually impressive, hinting at a rich and detailed world to explore. The contrast with Warframe’s aesthetic is stark and deliberate.
- Mystery and Potential: While significant gameplay was shown, many aspects of Soulframe remain shrouded in mystery, which has fueled speculation and excitement within the community. The “Preludes” announcement suggests that more in-depth information and hands-on experiences are coming.
- Strong Community Engagement: Digital Extremes’ commitment to involving the community in Soulframe’s development was evident, fostering a sense of collaboration and shared ownership of the game’s future.
- Positive Hype: The conference generally left a positive impression, with many attendees and viewers expressing excitement about Soulframe’s potential and the fresh direction it offers compared to Warframe. The tease of the Bromius boss fight for TennoCon has further heightened anticipation for future reveals.
In summary, the Warframe Soulframe conference at PAX East 2025 provided an exciting glimpse into the ongoing development of Soulframe, highlighting its unique identity, engaging gameplay, and commitment to community involvement. The reveals of new environments, the Bromius boss, and the mention of “Preludes” have solidified the anticipation for this upcoming title.
