Soulframeis Digital Extremes' fantasy follow-up to its hit free-to-play space ninja simulator,Warframe.Although the games share similar names, underlying technology, and developers, they couldn’t be more different in several areas. Of course, the most glaring distinction is thematic:Warframeis a gritty, far-future sci-fi game that plays out across the solar system and beyond, whileSoulframeis an open-world fantasy action game with an emphasis on nature and magic.
There are plenty of more substantial differences between Digital Extremes' similarly named titles, however. In an interview with Game Rant,SoulframeCommunity Director Megan Everett and Senior Community Manager Sarah Asselin discussed howSoulframestands apart from its predecessor. In a way,Soulframehas become a spiritual opposite toWarframewhile still preserving a few elements thatcontributed toWarframe’s success.
Soulframe’s Contemplative Pacing Is the Opposite of Warframe
In practice,Soulframe’s key distinctionfromWarframeis its pacing. As Asselin says, “There’s a very different pace and tempo inSoulframe. It has a lot more exploration; a grounded, slower feeling.“Warframe’s combat is conducted at a breakneck pace: it’s not unusual to complete missions in a minute or less. As players master the parkour movement and grow increasingly powerful, they can wipe out hordes of Grineer and traverse the game’s levels at blinding speeds.Soulframe, on the other hand, has a much more contemplative pace, as Everett describes:
“Soulframeis essentiallyWarframe, but fantasyWarframe.Warframe, but slow.[laughs]
As you probably know,Warframeis so fast-paced—and that’s fine! That’s what those players want to do. They want to be the fastest, finish a mission in seconds, and that’s totally valid. ButSoulframe, as Sarah mentioned, has different goals. It’s about slowing things down, making you think about your actions, taking a moment to really look at the world—to notice the beautiful environments you’re trying to save, or the animals you’re rescuing, and the choices you’re making.
And I think, in my mind, they’re absolutely achieving that. Every time I see something new—like when they recently did the quest where you get to pick your puppy—I was like, “This is the greatest game of all time.”[laughs]I have nothing to compare it to, because that just warms my heart.”
Soulframe’sopen world invites players to exploreand ponder, rather than rush through as quickly as possible. Its combat is also more deliberate, with melee combat somewhat resembling a Soulslike game where each swing is a tactical decision and rhythmic parrying can be key to success. This is a far cry fromWarframe’s visceral combat, where players unleash carnage effortlessly without having to think twice.
Soulframe’s Fantasy Setting Opens New Doors
Soulframe’sunique fantasy settinghas also allowed the team to explore artistic directions that weren’t possible or believable—at least for the moment—inWarframe. Everett points to one particular weapon that was recently revealed, which is essentially just a leaf:
“I think, as well, even just visually—howSoulframe’sweapons look—is such a big distinction. We showed you concept art of the new swords. There’s one that’s just, like, a leaf. And in my head, I’m like,“Warframe would never.“I mean, I’ll never say never, but you just can’t really imagine a leaf sword inWarframe—that wouldn’t make sense right now.
So, you know, you can only take something like a bow and make it as different as you can. And they’re really honing in on theaestheticofSoulframefor that. Sure, we may share tech in terms of how the bow works, but how it functions—how itfeels—is entirelySoulframe.”
Warframe’s arsenal of weaponsis largely sci-fi, with a smattering of biological horror for good measure. In stark contrast,Soulframehas an almost druidic aesthetic heavily based on nature themes—an aesthetic that makes a ‘leaf sword’ an entirely believable addition. With more grounded combat, an open world to methodically explore, and a distinct theme,Soulframehas established an identity entirely separate fromWarframe, though the team anticipates that there will be plenty of crossover among players who will enjoy both titles for different reasons.
