Digital Extremes has released Soulframe Preludes 16: Of Hook & Hound, giving the game’s closed Alpha another sizeable batch of new systems and community-requested features. The free update to Soulframe adds fishing, wolf pup bonding, dynamic weather, new equipment, and a revamped weapon customization system.
The biggest additions are arguably the ones that have little to do with combat. After completing The Shewolf Snared Fable and selecting a wolf pup companion, players can begin building a relationship with their new four-legged friend. That means taking walks, playing fetch, feeding it fish, fighting alongside it, and even stopping for a few cuddles between adventures.
The wolf pup system is also laying the groundwork for something players have been waiting for since the feature was first shown. Digital Extremes says the companion will eventually become a player mount, although that functionality is still being developed.
Fishing provides another reason to explore Alca rather than simply sprinting from one combat encounter to the next. The new mechanic introduces six lures and six different fish, including the Emerald Prickleback and Boilhead Wumper. Once caught, fish can be cleansed of Ode corruption and either released or kept for a wolf companion, with rewards available for either choice.
The world itself is becoming a little less predictable as well. Preludes 16 introduces a dynamic weather system capable of creating combinations such as rainy nights, foggy mornings, and sunsets. Weather isn’t purely cosmetic, either. Certain conditions can affect gameplay, including increasing lightning damage or reducing enemy perception ranges.
For players who would rather spend their time hitting things with weapons, there is something new here too. The Tempers system has been revamped to give players more control over weapon modifiers. Old weapons can be dismantled to reclaim their Tempers, which can then be retuned with blacksmith Tuvalkane.
Several new pieces of gear arrive alongside the system, including the two-handed Wreath mace, the Gystalt caster staff, the Grimana rapier sidearm, and the Suit of The Sleeve armor set.
Soulframe Preludes remains a closed Alpha and an intentionally experimental version of the game. Digital Extremes continues to use the Preludes updates as a way to put new systems in players’ hands early, with community feedback helping shape how those features develop.
Preludes 16 is available now as a free update for Soulframe players participating in the closed Alpha. Digital Extremes says fishing and wolf pup bonding are only the beginning, with both systems expected to evolve in future updates.
