Soulframe and Avowed: Unleashing the Next Generation of Fantasy Gaming

Highlights

The 2023 TennoCon event showcased Soulframe and Avowed, two upcoming RPGs that both feature protagonists combating corruption in fantasy worlds.

Avowed is set in the Living Lands, providing a late Middle Ages backdrop where players can explore vast open zones and engage in diverse combat using melee weapons, ranged attacks, and magic abilities.

Soulframe takes place in the enchanting realm of Midrath Island, inspired by the Arthurian legends. It features lush forests, a strong emphasis on nature, and a combat system that requires careful planning and strategy. The game also offers a three-stat RPG system, allowing players to develop their characters' strength, magical abilities, or stealth skills.

The 2023 TennoCon event brought excitement to RPG enthusiasts when Digital Extremes unveiled a 30-minute demo of Soulframe, the sister game of Warframe. This demo explored a dark medieval realm tainted by contamination, with the protagonist confronting an evil organization. At the same time, fans of action RPGs eagerly await Avowed, and a recent gameplay trailer from the Xbox Game Showcase revealed a notable shift in the game's setting compared to the 2020 teaser. The new tone is more vibrant and action-packed, resembling The Outer Worlds and classic RPGs, which diverges from Obsidian's original Skyrim-inspired vision. By viewing the latest footage from both games, fans can identify intriguing similarities between these two new RPG experiences.

Both games share a common theme, with protagonists taking on the role of envoys trying to combat a world corrupted by corruption. They embark on journeys of restoration and exploration, each with their own unique narrative. In Avowed, players can choose to play as an Elvian or a Human character who is sent by the Aedry Empire to the Living Lands. Their mission is to investigate rumors about a mysterious plague that corrupts souls on the island. In Soulframe, the gameplay narrative centers around The Envoy, a former Ode'n—a conquering force driven by resource exploitation. The Envoy's quest is to rejuvenate the natural world on Midrath Island and restore the severed connections with the past that the Ode'n have caused.

Avowed and Soulframe's Setting and Combat Systems Have Some Points of Intersection

Both games take place in a high-fantasy world inspired by the Middle Ages. Avowed is set in the Living Lands, a secluded region reminiscent of the late Middle Ages, while Soulframe is set in the Arthurian realm of Midrath Island. Avowed features arid mountains, vibrant biomes with colorful mushrooms, and mysterious halls, creating an appealing backdrop for RPG enthusiasts. Soulframe, on the other hand, showcases lush forests, flora-covered landscapes, villages, and procedural dungeons, adding an enchanting and cinematic touch.

In addition to their captivating settings, both games offer unique features. Avowed includes sizable open zones for exploration, while Soulframe introduces the Nightfold Tent, a personal hub that evolves from a lone tent in the fog to a bustling village of ancestor souls as the game progresses.

Although Avowed and Soulframe differ in gameplay, they share a commonality in their diverse combat systems and playstyles. Avowed allows players to experience the game through a first-person perspective and provides various combat options, including melee weapons like swords, ranged choices like bows, arrows, and pistols, and a range of magical abilities such as fireballs, freezing spells, and even the ability to summon a black hole.

The world of Soulframe operates under a systemic framework, facilitating interactions between various magical elements and granting gamers the ability to seamlessly switch combat styles. Whether it be dual-wielding weapons or combining magic and weaponry, players have the freedom to adapt their approach. Progression in the game is centered around unlocking new abilities rather than simply improving specific statistics. Additionally, the game relies on the presence of companions, granting players the opportunity to embark on adventures alongside two companions simultaneously.

Soulframe introduces a distinct and captivating combat style, deviating from the fast-paced gameplay commonly found in Warframe and Avowed. Instead, it incorporates a deliberate and methodical approach to combat similar to that of games like Elden Ring and Ghost of Tsushima. This combat style emphasizes tactical swordplay infused with magic, demanding precision when it comes to dodging and parrying in order to create strategic openings. Adding to the excitement, gamers possess a bionic arm, enabling them to effortlessly throw their swords at enemies and summon them back at will.

In terms of character development, Soulframe employs a three-stat RPG system that focuses on Courage, Grace, or Spirit. Each stat enhances different aspects of a character, be it physical strength, magical prowess, or stealth capabilities. While Avowed and Soulframe share certain thematic elements, they differentiate themselves through their approach to multiplayer, graphics, and overall presentation.

Nevertheless, both games share a commitment to delivering immersive narrative experiences with player-driven stories. This suggests that both titles have the potential to captivate players who are seeking engaging fantasy RPG worlds.

Avowed releases in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.