Soulframe’s Preludes 12 brings a Greatsword and a Founder invite — but should you buy in now?

Why this update actually matters for players

This caught my attention because Digital Extremes is doing two risky things at once: shipping meaningful gameplay systems in a free Pre-Alpha update, and opening a paid Founder program that buys instant access and “permanent” influence. Preludes 12 isn’t just another patch note – it’s a statement about how Soulframe will grow, and whether players get a real game or a polished early-access cash sink.

• New heavy weapon play: the Greatsword grip changes combat pacing and builds.
• Onboarding overhaul makes early play less punishing and better for retention.
• Founders paths bundle instant access, cosmetic and consumable value – and raise monetization questions.
• New endgame-lite activities (Sieges, Agari) show a focus on looped PvE content, not just open-world wandering.

Breaking down Preludes 12 – what’s actually new

Preludes 12 is a solid mechanical update. The Greatsword grip gives the Envoy a true heavy-hitter option: slower, wider-swinging attacks that should let tanks and melee mains carve space in battles that previously leaned fast and flashy. That’s a meaningful addition because weapon grips have been Soulframe’s shorthand for playstyles — introducing a heavy archetype reshapes combat design and enemy encounters.

More important for new players is the onboarding rework. Soulframe’s early access jungle has had confusing journal tracking, limited fast travel and a gated sense of progression. Wevetseeds for fast travel, clearer Fable discovery and the ability to test all three starter Pacts directly address the “first 90 minutes” problem that sinks many live-service games. If Digital Extremes wants a healthy long-term player base, these fixes are the right priority.

The update also adds diegetic difficulty via a consumable elixir (Cogah) that scales up encounters and unlocks rewards, plus new sub-boss Agari roaming the overworld, Totems and Runes for weapon specialization, and Siege Encounters tied to an infamy rating. Those systems point toward repeatable content loops — wave clears, sub-boss hunts, and progression tied to reputation — which is the backbone of any action-RPG that hopes to keep players engaged after the initial story beats.

Founders: a sincere support option or a pre-Alpha cash play?

Digital Extremes framed Founders as gratitude for early supporters — and there’s truth to that. Geoff Crookes, Soulframe’s Creative Director, explicitly tied this to Warframe’s long runway of community backing. But the Founder paths bundle instant Preludes access, exclusive Pacts, weapons, cosmetics, Arcs (the premium currency), invite codes and even physical merch. That’s a lot to sell during Pre-Alpha.

On one hand, buying a Founder pack funds development and gives you tools to help shape the game early. You get invite codes to bring friends, and social rewards like planting a Bloom in the Eternium Garden — neat for community culture. On the other hand, the inclusion of premium currency and exclusive weapons raises red flags: will Founders enjoy measurable gameplay advantages later, or are these purely vanity and convenience? Digital Extremes promises themes of redemption and hope, but concrete details on balance and long-term parity are what matter.

What this means for you — should you jump in?

If you’re curious and enjoy testing messy, promising systems, Preludes 12 is worth signing up for the free access queue — the update genuinely improves the early game and adds systems worth trying. If you want to support the studio and secure instant access plus perks, a Founders path is a reasonable bet, provided you accept Pre-Alpha instability and understand purchases are largely irreversible investments in future development.

My advice: join the free queue or wait for a patch or two that clarifies how Founder-exclusive items interact with the live economy. Keep an eye on how Digital Extremes integrates Arcs and exclusive weapons into balance patches. If they remain cosmetic/convenience-focused, Founder packs will feel fair. If they drift toward locked power, that will sour early community trust.

TL;DR

Preludes 12 ships meaningful combat and progression systems while improving onboarding — real progress for a Pre-Alpha. Founders packs give instant access and a heavy bundle of exclusives that can help build community, but they also introduce monetization questions that deserve scrutiny. Try the free queue first, and only buy into Founders if you’re comfortable funding development and living with early-stage design risks.