Two Popular Online Action Games Are About to Get Even Better
Players of online action RPGs rejoice, because two fan-favorites will be getting some love from their developers. At this year’s TennoCon — named, of course, after the player-character in Warframe — Digital Extremes made some exciting announcements. Both Warframe and Soulframe are about to get some new content and updates.
Jump Into Soulframe
Soulframe has generated a lot of positive buzz since the pre-alpha opened to lucky players in 2023. If Warframe is an adrenaline rush, Soulframe is a warm cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. Well, that’s not really accurate, because Soulframe’s combat can get pretty intense. But with its emphasis on nature vs alien technology and its clear Celtic influences, Soulframe’s vibe is unique. I’ve played dozens of hours.
Soulframe’s basic premise is the conflict between the nature-loving population of the planet Alca, and brutal alien invaders called the Ode, hellbent on conquering Alca and exploiting its resources. You play as an Envoy, captured and brainwashed by the Ode but returned to Alca in an amnesiac state. You have access to Alcan fey magic and your task is to fee the planet from the Ode.
Soulframe has been in pre-alpha — what the developers calle the Preludes program — since 2023. Through July 12 at 11:59 EST, new players can sign up to join the game and bypass the usual invite-by-lottery system.
So What’s New
Soulframe’s new content is equally useful to new and existing players. The most exciting addition is the corrupted progression path, where players have access to a new narrative Fable called Warsongs and a new Pact (Soulframe’s name for classes) with corrupted power and weapons.
The much-requested addition of rideable wolf mounts is coming this year, and a new boss, Mendicant Reinbreaker, enters the fray. Soulframe is already a game with outstanding production values, music and audio design. Soon, well-known actors Ben Starr and Jennifer English join the cast, voicing antagonist Tempest Baylor and the Empress Eldvell, respecively. Oh, and there’s a new fishing minigame.
Like Warframe, Soulframe is a free-to-play online experience with a cash shop. While its co-op multiplayer will be a draw for many, I can attest that Soulframe is entirely playable solo, including the bosses. Of course, the size of the map and amount of content are only a fraction of what’s to come. But what’s in place is engaging and definitely worth checking out.
A Different Frame
Unlike Soulframe, Digital Extremes’ Warframe has become the go-to online action game for millions of players. Over the past 14 years, Warframe has broadened and deepened its lore, mechanics and game play systems. It has seen countless improvements, graphical overhauls and content additions.
Warframe is a brutally fast sci-fi action game set across the galaxy. Players are called Tenno and don various Warframes, which serve as combinations of loadouts and character classes. Unlike Soulframe — which is entirely PvE, solo or in co-op — Warframe has a popular PvP component. Some of the new content will be of interest to the PvP crowd.
The two biggest announcements include a new quest and new location called Tau. Tau features moody, noir-esque locations and a new boss called The Hunra, voiced by Jonathan Bullock. In parallel with the new quest is the new melee-focused Warframe, Brysko.
Set in the fading industrial and crime-invested city of Fornax, Tau also introduces a new Sentient enemy faction, the Fornax Drowners. Other new Warframe goodies include the game’s first playable card game, Portau. New cosmetics collections and new music sung by Canadian vocalist Jill Harris are a few other notable additions.
Sci-Fi or Nature-Loving Choices
Both newcomer Soulframe and veteran game Warframe offer polished action combat framed in completely different ways. Digital Extremes is obviously dedicated to continuous improvement of its games and to providing players with a steady stream of outstanding new content.