Soulframe keeps growing with new RPG customisation, a dungeon inspired by Blue Prince and a wizard’s staff

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Last November, I noted that Soulframe had the foundation for an outstanding action-RPG. Since then, developers Digital Extremes have been adding muscle and detail to this structure, expanding the game world and enhancing combat mechanics. The Preludes edition of the game, which functions as a continually growing limited access beta, is regularly updated with fresh weapons, factions, player classes (referred to as Pacts), locations, and adversaries. They’ve also made adjustments such as transforming the Idol system into a unique collection of weapons, thereby giving it a clearer role in your weapon inventory.

Although I vowed to stay engaged with Soulframe’s progression, following my withdrawal from the fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) boat with Warframe, I unfortunately missed out on the initial release of the Idol system. Digital Extremes have been quite active, and there’s even more to come: the upcoming 10th Preludes update, slated for this month, will broaden the Motes and Runes upgrades system while introducing new throwable secondary weapons and a staff reminiscent of a wizard’s from Dragon’s Dogma, boasting respectable energy levels.

Here is a sneak peek at the current state of the Preludes construction, along with some of the recently introduced special items.

Here’s a preview of the present Preludes building phase and a couple of the newly added accessories.

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Take a look at the latest version of the Preludes setup, as well as several new gadgets that were mentioned earlier.

Soulframe: Preludes – Gameplay Spotlight

In the game, how do Motes function as enhancements? As explained at PAX East, they are small, adorable creatures similar to those from Studio Ghibli that you’ll discover in the open world. Once captured, they can be commanded to inhabit a weapon, granting it a new power such as freezing enemies solid.

You can set them free if you have another Mote for food collection, enhancing your remaining Motes. Another choice is letting your weapon’s Mote devour an enemy’s essence. In their live stream, Digital Extremes playfully noted that this bears no resemblance to Pokemon; they’ve definitely been staying informed.

3. Option C: You can release them if you have another Mote for provisioning supplies, boosting your other Motes. Alternatively, let your weapon’s Mote consume an adversary’s spirit. During the broadcast, Digital Extremes humorously remarked that this is in no way like Pokemon; they’ve certainly been keeping up with recent developments.

Runes function as enhancements for Motes, which can be inserted into slots within your inventory. They bestow advantages like increased knockback after executing a flawless evasion. In the upcoming Preludes 10, there will be 20 new Motes introduced. The goal is to enable players to construct unique builds, a feature that has been less emphasized in this game so far, which primarily focused on character advancement and acquiring stronger equipment.

In the near future, fresh adversaries are set to appear, among them being the Tired King, who is said to resemble the Ringwraiths from Lord of the Rings. Contrary to his name, he appears not to be tired but rather adept at delegating tasks, summoning minions to assault you. Additionally, developers are preparing for the second Soulframe in-game event, the Festival of the Circade. Unlike its predecessor, which had a Halloween theme, this event draws inspiration from the recent Blue Prince debacle and introduces a new puzzle location – the Crypt of Circade.

Despite all these minor details, Soulframe continues to captivate me for the same reasons it did back in 2024. It places you as a solitary wanderer, a paladin, in a realm filled with mystical creatures, which is being gradually corrupted by unsightly polluters in metallic hats. The game seamlessly merges swordplay and magic into an elegant sequence of combos, parries, enhancements, projectiles, and final moves. While the combat isn’t overly challenging or complex, it offers a sense of fluidity and charm that I find appealing. I relish the opportunity to control a character capable of such feats.

The atmosphere in the dungeon is quite captivating for procedurally generated settings, and the storytelling has a twisted, mystical depth that can sometimes seem superfluous, yet it’s usually entertaining. The design of weapons and equipment is as elegant as you’d find in Warframe, but not overly flashy. You won’t get headaches from it, which is a plus for someone like me who prefers subdued colors. Apologies to the Warframers – I’m an older gamer, and vibrant hues can be harsh on my eyes. I prefer my tapestries faded, armor weathered, and blades worn but not damaged beyond repair.

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2025-05-13 20:35