“a little scary”: Warframe’s studio opens Soulframe’s free PC alpha to everyone
Soulframe, the fantasy action RPG from Warframe developer Digital Extremes, has opened its free early alpha to Windows PC players. The Open Preludes test began November 6, removing the need to wait for an invitation to try the in-development game.
Players can create an account and download the standalone client from the official Soulframe website. The Steam page currently offers a wishlist, not the alpha download. This is an early test rather than Soulframe’s finished release.
Creative director Geoff Crookes described the decision as “a little scary” in a Digital Extremes announcement, saying the larger group of players can give the team feedback as development continues.
Image: Digital Extremes
What players can explore in Open Preludes
Soulframe puts players in the role of an Envoy fighting a corruption spreading through the world of Alca. Digital Extremes describes combat using weapons and abilities granted through Pacts with Omen Beasts, alongside story quests called Fables.
Image: Digital Extremes
Exploration, releasing captive creatures and completing Fables open up additional systems, including crafting and social features. The studio says players can form parties of up to four to explore or take on challenges together.
The test is free, although optional Founder packs are offered separately. Players should expect unfinished systems, updates and possible bugs; access to the alpha should not be confused with a final launch date or a Steam release.
Image: Digital Extremes
Wolf mounts are planned for a later November update
Digital Extremes says a separate update called Verse of the Veilands is due in November. It plans to add a world progression system and Omen Wolf mounts, alongside new features including fishing additions. The announcement does not give an exact day for that update.
To raise a wolf into a mount, players will need to train a pup, purify two Veilands regions and prepare a Bairnday Biscuit, according to the studio. The developer says the feature will continue to develop in later updates.
The update is also expected to bring a new Ode Shrike Pact with traps and other tools. Those additions are planned content; check the current patch notes for what has actually arrived before setting out to unlock them.
