However, after spending significant time with its pre-alpha version, "Preludes," I've come to believe that this new action RPG is striving for something distinct.
The name "Soulframe" immediately brings to mind certain expectations. What truly defines a name? In the gaming world, a name can be crucial to a game's success. Digital Extremes, the creators of Warframe, face a challenge with Soulframe – its name might be misleading. My time with the "Preludes" playtest suggests the name doesn't quite capture the game's essence, and I fear this could be detrimental.
Developed by the team behind Warframe, Soulframe is a multifaceted game. At its core, the gameplay resembles action titles like Black Myth Wukong, but its expansive open world and recently revealed player hubs are more akin to elements found in MMORPGs like World of Warcraft. Multiplayer interactions seem poised to mirror Warframe's approach, with social spaces echoing the ninja game's Relays rather than the bustling cities seen in games like World of Warcraft.
Defining Soulframe succinctly is difficult. Based on my experience with "Preludes," it's visually stunning and boasts impressive worldbuilding, but it currently feels like a collection of disparate elements that haven't fully coalesced. As a pre-alpha build, this is somewhat expected, but despite the solid foundation of individual gameplay components, Soulframe's overall identity remains unclear.
Let's delve into the "soul" part of the name. While Digital Extremes CEO Steve Sinclair has acknowledged drawing inspiration from games like Elden Ring, he clarified that the "soul" in Soulframe refers to a narrative focus on harnessing the power of ancestors' souls. The team has since acknowledged the potential for confusion among players.
Having played Soulframe's opening sequence and initial boss fight, it's noticeably more forgiving than games like Dark Souls or Elden Ring. Dungeons are more open, and while encounters pose a challenge, they are far from brutal. Boss fights, while visually impressive, lack the intense difficulty associated with soulslike games. Labeling it a soulslike, therefore, sets inaccurate expectations, even with "soul" in the title.
Then there's the "frame" part. Digital Extremes has a history of connecting its projects – Dark Sector evolved into Warframe, which incorporates the "Tenno" from Hayden Tenno's name. Warframe's Duviri Paradox expansion has been seen as a testing ground for Soulframe, with similar aesthetics and melee-focused combat.
However, Warframe is known for its fast-paced, frenetic action. Soulframe, in contrast, features slower, more deliberate combat, favoring heavy weapons like polearms and swords over the katanas and guns of Warframe. The name led me to anticipate a blend of methodical soulslike combat with Warframe's speed, but the pacing is more akin to early Dark Souls games.
Furthermore, Soulframe is not simply a Warframe spinoff; it's a new IP with unique features. While Warframe carries the essence of Hayden Tenno, perhaps it's time for Digital Extremes to embrace a completely new creation, subtly referencing its predecessors in mechanics and community focus rather than through overt connections. I'm eager to see what the future holds for this studio and worry that clinging to past successes might hinder their progress.
That said, I genuinely want Soulframe to succeed. Aesthetically, it's superb, blending the grounded fantasy of The Lord of the Rings with otherworldly sci-fi elements. The combat is satisfying, and the Torment Stag boss fight, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack, is a standout experience.
My concern is that Soulframe's name reflects a deeper identity crisis. Soulslike enthusiasts might find the combat lacking, while those seeking a fast-paced experience like Warframe may be disappointed. It would be a shame if these players miss out on the game's strengths due to mismatched expectations.
The question remains: what's in a name? For Soulframe, it seems to be a case of confused identity. Digital Extremes has strong individual ideas, but if I'm struggling to grasp the game's core identity after hours of playtime, I can only imagine the confusion among potential players. I hope people give Soulframe a fair chance when it releases next year.
