Right, So Soulframe's Got a Bear Quest, But You'll Have To Keep Your Paws Off It For A Bit Longer
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Digital Extremes is keeping Soulframe in closed alpha, but they're opening 'Preludes' access to more players and teasing a fantastic 'Waste Bear' quest featuring a 'Wazzard of Wastes,' promising a unique, if delayed, magical adventure.
You know that feeling when you've been brewing a particularly potent potion, and you *know* it's going to be amazing, but it just needs… one more… ingredient? That, my mates, seems to be the current vibe over at Digital Extremes with Soulframe, their much-anticipated 'cottagecore sibling' to the sci-fi chaos of Warframe.
I’ve been tinkering with the latest whispers from TennoCon 2025, specifically what Mark Warren over at Rock Paper Shotgun dug up, and bloody hell, it’s a classic tale of 'good news, bad news, but mostly good news if you've got the patience of a druid waiting for an ancient oak to sprout.'
**The Long, Winding Forest Path of Development**
So, Soulframe is still very much nestled away in its closed alpha. Despite a lot of chatter and hopes that TennoCon would be the moment the doors swung wide open for a grand early access debut, Digital Extremes is playing it cool. Like, ice-magic cool. They’re letting a few more folks into the 'Preludes' alpha – if you signed up by the July 19th-20th weekend, you’re in with a shout – but don't go expecting to wander off into the open world just yet.
Steve Sinclair, the CEO of Digital Extremes, was pretty upfront about it when quizzed by RPS. "We have ambitions, we have a few things… about our progression systems that are not quite in yet. We’re not comfortable doing anything open until those systems are in." Fair dinkum, you've gotta respect that honesty. It’s a bit like trying to summon a powerful beast without knowing if your mana bar will actually hold up. You *could* try, but you’d probably end up with a very grumpy, half-formed critter. Sinclair stressed that it's a "great opportunity to join us and help shape that future," which, let's be honest, is peak dev-speak for "we're building this beast, come help us test if it bites the way we want it to."
Now, for those of us who’ve seen enough games launch with wobbly progression systems or half-baked economies – which, let's face it, is most of us – this kind of caution is actually a good sign. It signals that DE isn't just rushing to hit a date. They're making sure the magical gears grind properly before unleashing us on it. Think of it as a master craftsman refusing to sell you a sword until the enchantments are properly bound, not just glued on with pixie dust.
**Enter the Waste Bear: A Fable Worth Waiting For?**
But fear not, my curious compatriots, it's not all just 'wait and see.' The devs did pull back the curtain on some rather intriguing additions coming down the pipeline, and one, in particular, has got my digital antennae twitching: the **Waste Bear fable quest**.
During the TennoCon showcase, they demoed this bad boy, and honestly, it sounds like something straight out of a wonderfully twisted fairytale. You're enlisted by a witch (apparently 'Clair Obscur levels of French,' which I immediately need to investigate further, because *what does that even mean in a fantasy setting?* – colour me intrigued!) to get to the bottom of things for a three-headed bear omen spirit called Bromius. This poor chap is struggling to care for the trees because of some rather nasty outside pollution. Sounds grim, mate, but also *fascinating*.
Your quest will involve battling these little woodland fellas called Sproutfolk (who sound adorable but probably pack a punch) who’ve been corrupted, and then trekking through a new dungeon, the Neath’uns, to face a boss battle. Oh, and did I mention the mini-boss is brilliantly named the **Wazzard of Wastes**? Seriously, if a game gives me a 'Wazzard,' I'm already halfway to throwing my wallet at the screen. It just screams the kind of charmingly chaotic enemy design that Warframe often pulls off so well. I'm already picturing casting spells and dodging attacks from some magical, rubbish-wielding sorcerer. It’s the kind of whimsical, slightly deranged creativity that makes a game truly memorable, isn't it?
**Beyond the Big Bear**
Aside from the Wazzard (still can't get over that name), DE also teased a few other bits and bobs that sound like they're deepening Soulframe's enchanting world:
* **Mote System:** Unleash weird little woodland creatures on your opponents. Because who needs a massive sword when you can send a swarm of angry pixies to do your bidding, eh? * **Expanded Customisation:** Finally, the ability to change your hairstyle! Because even when you're battling corruption and saving ancient spirits, you gotta look fabulous, right? * **Martial Arts Manuals:** These medieval-style tomes will be added to the progression system, teaching you skills like parrying. Sounds like a neat way to ground the magical with some tactile combat skills. * **More Fables & Ancestor Ghosts:** The promise of more Sparrow's Tales, fables, and ancestor ghost people to recruit to your home camp, the Nightfold. More stories, more lore, more weird ethereal friends – yes please!
**The Human Story Behind the Digital Trees**
So, what does all this mean for us, the curious gamers on the outside looking in? Well, it means the dream of a sprawling, nature-infused MMORPG from the folks who brought us Warframe is still very much alive. And while the wait can be a bit like watching paint dry on a particularly elaborate magical mural, the glimpses we're getting – especially that gloriously named 'Wazzard' – suggest it's going to be a unique, charmingly chaotic experience.
Digital Extremes isn't just holding back because they can. They're clearly trying to bake in essential systems that will make the long-term journey satisfying. It's a calculated risk, keeping things closed for so long, but if it results in a game as polished and delightfully quirky as the Waste Bear fable suggests, then I reckon it'll be worth bearing with them. After all, sometimes the best magic takes a bit longer to charge up.
Tags: Soulframe, MMORPG, Game Development, Digital Extremes, Fantasy
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun