Inven Global

Soulframe, which gained acclaim as a world so beautiful players wanted to stay in it, is changing its first impression. With the new update, the landscape of Midrath becomes harsher and more desolate than before. Even the developers expressed nervousness about altering the scenery players had grown to love. Yet, the reason for this choice is clear: to allow players to become true "healers" who directly restore the land.

Developed by Warframe creator Digital Extremes, Soulframe is a free-to-play open-world fantasy game themed around nature and restoration. Players become Envoys who inherit the power of ancient Ancestors, exploring a world ruined under the reign of the Ode. The gameplay loop centers on progressing through story quests called Fables, freeing captive animals, and crafting equipment to expand the scope of their adventure.

During an online media preview on the 28th, Digital Extremes unveiled the direction for its upcoming update, "Prelude 17: Verse of the Veilands," as well as its Open Alpha test. The new region progression system, Votive mission rework, and wolf mounts serve both as standalone content additions and interconnected systems. They provide clear objectives for players struggling to figure out what to do next, while adding companions and traversal methods to aid their journey.

Restoring a Corrupted Landscape as a "Healer"

Prelude 17 ties corruption and purification directly into the world progression structure. The invading Ode forces drain energy from Alca using Siphons deployed across various regions. Players must reclaim these corrupted areas one by one. The once-serene scenery is no longer just a backdrop provided from the start, but a goal to be restored through adventure.

Purification proceeds in distinct stages. Players gather energy by completing a region's Votive missions, learn its sacred song, and then cleanse the Siphon. The developers designed this process so players can more clearly understand what they are doing and why they need to explore a region, establishing a core progression pillar that carries on even after completing early Fables.

The world's changes extend beyond visuals. In corrupted regions, wildlife vanishes, affecting available resources and activities. Restoring a region brings back fishing and events, while altering the loot and resources players can obtain. Once healed, a region's transformation remains permanent, ensuring that lands left behind after completing missions remain worth revisiting.

Digital Extremes Creative Director Geoff Crookes explained that existing players previously gave positive feedback regarding the world's beauty and cozy atmosphere. While the new system makes the initial impression harsher, it heightens the contrast once a desolate region is healed. This change aims to showcase the game's core theme of restoring the world through player actions and their tangible results.

Finding Votives on the Map, Continuing the Journey with Wolves

Votives, which form the foundation of region purification, are also receiving a revamped approach. Previously, continuing Votives required knowing the specific flow of receiving missions at World Trees and then seeking out regional representatives. In Prelude 17, players can meet enclave representatives, accept Votives directly from the world map, and track their progress. The entire process of finding available activities is being overhauled.

The role of enclave representatives is expanding as well. Characters such as Avacot will act as guides for each Votive, explaining their roles and what they require. Dialogue and voice acting have been expanded for this purpose. Beyond adding mission markers to the map, this connects the characters players meet and their regional circumstances directly into the progression experience.

Digital Extremes Lead Designer Scott McGregor shared that existing players sometimes felt they had finished the game after completing the initial Fables, or failed to realize a broader world of missions existed. This overhaul serves as an answer to feedback stating, "I don't know what to do next." It aims to chart a clearer path from early story content into long-term progression and exploration.

Joining this journey across regions is the wolf mount. The wolf pup players trained and bonded with in Prelude 16 can now be grown into a full adult mount. Players must have a trained pup and cleanse two regions under the new progression system before crafting and feeding it a growth biscuit. Once the recipe is obtained, it is prepared through brewing with the Ancestor Verminia.

Whether to grow the pup is up to the player. The developers explained that even after reaching adulthood, players can still pet their wolf, which retains its playful demeanor despite its massive size. Mounts can also be used in co-op play with friends. Director Crookes noted that as the Votive rework increases travel across the world, it was the ideal moment to introduce mounts alongside these changes.

Turning the Ode's Hunting Tactics Against Them with a New Pact

A new Pact, "Ode Shrike," is being added to combat. Pacts serve as the means by which Envoys wield ancient abilities, and this one takes inspiration from Ode hunters and poachers. The design allows players to claim the enemy's resource-siphoning tools and use them in battle. Centered on traps and deception, it is crafted to suit stealthy combat approaches.

Deployable thorn traps deal area-of-effect damage to enemies, while balloon darts lift foes into the air to isolate them from combat. Bola chains tether enemies together to link incoming damage, alongside a throwable evasion bomb. The Pact was introduced as a kit to control combat encounters by tethering multiple foes or isolating specific enemies from the battlefield. The preview also teased a new dagger that will debut alongside this Pact.

The seasonal event "Bita's Eve" is also returning. In this event, players hunt down unusual squash patches and a headless horseman mini-boss to earn limited-time rewards and special fish. The preview highlighted rewards such as masks, scythes, and charms. The developers' recommendation for players to purify regions ahead of the event further demonstrates how the new world progression and returning activities work in tandem.

Open Alpha Begins November 7 Without Invitations

Open Preludes, which will bring these changes to a broader player base, is scheduled to begin on November 7 (KST). Without waiting for an invite, players can create an account on the official website and download the launcher to join the free Alpha test. The test is available for Windows PC via the official website. Announcements regarding Steam or console launches were not included in this update. Prelude 17 is scheduled to launch later in November.

The developers linked expanding test access to their ongoing process of building the game. Designer McGregor explained that adding magic and bows to the initially melee-centric combat stemmed from player requests. They incorporated feedback from players wanting easier world exploration alongside requests to play as spellcasters, while continuously refining core combat flow with each update. The mount and Votive overhauls follow this same philosophy.

For co-op play, work is underway to make it easier for players to gather. In addition to utilizing the existing World Trees as meeting hubs, the team is working on matchmaking improvements for dungeons and Votives. However, whether these features will arrive in Prelude 17 was not finalized during the preview. The developers view co-op as a vital pillar of the game and remain committed to continuously refining the grouping process.

For the Open Alpha, the team is preparing in-game surveys, questions, and player progression data tracking. Feedback collection through Discord and official forums will also continue. This approach aims to identify where new players hit roadblocks in their early experience while gauging how existing players adapt to the transformed world. Director Crookes noted that broader player participation will help determine the path forward for Soulframe.