Digital Extremes Draws From KOTOR and BioShock for Soulframe’s Dark Vadagar Path, But Rejects a Rigid Good-or-Evil Binary

Digital Extremes used its TennoCon 2026 Devstream to reveal a wave of new content for Soulframe, its upcoming free-to-play fantasy action RPG, currently available in early development through Soulframe Preludes.

The Canadian studio is once again opening access to Preludes during TennoCon: anyone who creates an account on the official website, Soulframe.com, and signs up by July 12 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time will receive permanent access to the current build. Once that window closes, latecomers can still sign up, but will need to wait for weekly raffle invites to get in. Players who gain access can claim an Envoy name and explore the dozens of weapons, Fables, characters, and Pacts currently available in Preludes.

Warsongs: A New Fable Quest This Fall

The headline reveal of the Devstream was Warsongs, a new Fable quest arriving this fall that introduces a darker, corruption-based progression path.

The Vadagar Pact is the new system tied to this path, letting players channel a corrupting substance called Ichor to unlock a distinct new moveset: exploding boomerang throws, ensnaring tendril attacks, and the ability to summon a stampede of corrosive steeds that leave murky pools behind them. Equipping the Vadagar Pact reportedly changes the player's entire UI to reflect the corrupted theme.

According to the developers, this progression path is conceptually similar to a light/dark morality system (they cited both Knights of the Old Republic and BioShock's Little Sisters as points of reference), but the team was explicit that choices along this path won't lock players into a rigid "good or evil" binary. For comparison, they said it's designed to be more flexible than Warframe's white/black alignment system. For now, the Vadagar Pact and its corrupted mechanics are tied specifically to this Fable, though the developers left the door open to expanding the concept to future Pacts.

Tempest Bayor, one of Soulframe's central antagonists, was also unveiled, with Ben Starr (known for his roles in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as Verso and Final Fantasy XVI as Clive Rosfield) playing the role. Bayor is a rare red-armed Envoy aligned with the invading Ode forces, accompanied by a raven companion; his motivations remain unclear, though the Empress of Eldveil (who is portrayed by Jennifer English, also of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, fame) appears to know more than she's letting on. During the Q&A segment of the presentation we attended, the developers confirmed there are already plans to keep Starr's character involved in Soulframe beyond just the Warsongs quest, without elaborating further.

Creative Director Geoff Crookes framed the new quest thematically: "Our approach to storytelling in Soulframe has focused a lot on redemption, with uplifting character arcs built around salvation and not necessarily the destruction of the human body and soul. Life has many paths toward redemption, though, and with the Warsongs Fable we're attempting to explore a smidge of that contrast to demonstrate the necessary balance and coexistence. Growth does not truly occur without a certain level of despair and fear."

Mounts, Fishing, and a New Boss

A new boss fight, the Mendicant Reinbreaker, is now available to fight in Soulframe Preludes. It's described as a "bucking rampage" of an encounter tied to the invading Ode forces. Defeating it frees its mounted, indentured steed, with the possibility of befriending that creature down the line.

A new fishing activity has also been added, framed narratively around a character called Grandfather Doyen. Rather than existing as an isolated minigame, it's described as woven directly into the game's story and used as a vehicle for expanding the worldbuilding of Alca, the game's setting.

Perhaps most exciting for existing players is the news that one of the most requested features, mounts, is finally arriving. Digital Extremes confirmed players will be able to test the first version of the mount system in Soulframe Preludes later this year. During the Q&A, the developers added some texture to what the mount interaction will look like:

• Players will be able to pet their mount outside of a specific hub area called the Nightfold.
• A bonding system is in development that will involve activities like playing fetch and feeding treats, tied into growing and strengthening the relationship with a mount over time. Players who have completed the Orangal quest currently have a puppy companion, which developers referenced as an early piece of this system.
• The developers teased that there's more depth to the system than has been shown so far.

Finally, here are a few miscellaneous info tidbits from the Soulframe Q&A with the press:

• The Vadagar corrupted monster shown in a previously released screenshot is described as a product of machinery ruining nature, essentially the corrupted result of stolen technology.
• A new sword-whip weapon shown in demo footage was inspired in part by Ivy's weapon from the Soulcalibur series. According to the developers, the weapon started life as a more conventional great sword, but the team felt it lacked personality and eventually evolved into its current whip-like form for a more distinct, aggressive feel. It reportedly features input-timing mechanics that reward precise button presses with multi-hit combos, something the team plans to add clearer visual feedback for before release.
• Asked about boomerang-type weapons, the developers confirmed enthusiasm for the concept, tying it to the same new weapon-handling type introduced with the sword-whip.

For the Warframe announcements, head to this article.

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