How Soulframe Is Warframe’s Spiritual Opposite

Soulframe is 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: Warframe is a gritty, far-future sci-fi game that plays out across the solar system and beyond, while Soulframe is 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 The Best War Games, Soulframe Community Director Megan Everett and Senior Community Manager Sarah Asselin discussed how Soulframe stands apart from its predecessor. In a way, Soulframe has become a spiritual opposite to Warframe while still preserving a few elements that contributed to Warframe's success.

Soulframe: Everything Revealed at TennoCon 2025

The Best War Games takes a look at everything revealed in Digital Extremes' TennoCon, including some major news for Soulframe fans hoping to play.

Posts

By Joey Brown

Soulframe’s Contemplative Pacing Is the Opposite of Warframe

In practice, Soulframe's key distinction from Warframe is its pacing. As Asselin says, "There’s a very different pace and tempo in Soulframe. 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:

"Soulframe is essentially Warframe, but fantasy Warframe. Warframe, but slow. [Laughs]

As you probably know, Warframe is 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. But Soulframe, 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's open world invites players to explore and 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 from Warframe's visceral combat, where players unleash carnage effortlessly without having to think twice.

Soulframe's Fantasy Setting Opens New Doors

BromiusFight_4_1080p — soulframe tennocon reveal 2025

Soulframe's unique fantasy setting has also allowed the team to explore artistic directions that weren't possible or believable—at least for the moment—in Warframe. Everett points to one particular weapon that was recently revealed, which is essentially just a leaf:

"I think, as well, even just visually—how Soulframe’s weapons 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 in Warframe—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 the aesthetic of Soulframe for that. Sure, we may share tech in terms of how the bow works, but how it functions—how it feels—is entirely Soulframe."

Warframe's arsenal of weapons is largely sci-fi, with a smattering of biological horror for good measure. In stark contrast, Soulframe has 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, Soulframe has established an identity entirely separate from Warframe, though the team anticipates that there will be plenty of crossover among players who will enjoy both titles for different reasons.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image