Imagine this: game night with friends, but instead of the usual Dungeons & Dragons marathon or a quick round of phone-based party games like Jackbox, you’re diving into a unique blend of both. That’s the promise of Sunderfolk, a new game from Dreamhaven, the studio founded by Blizzard Entertainment founder Mike Morhaime and other veterans. This card-based tactical RPG sets you in a fantastical world where animals defend the underground village of Arden from fantastical threats.
But here’s the twist: Sunderfolk leverages a dedicated phone app to control your character and cards, seamlessly connecting with the game on PC and consoles. This innovative approach aims to capture the essence of tabletop RPGs while making the experience more approachable and engaging. I had the chance to play Sunderfolk in person, and I’m confident it’s going to be a hit with my game night crew.
At the helm of Sunderfolk is Secret Door, a studio founded by Chris Sigaty, a Blizzard veteran known for his work on Warcraft III and StarCraft II. Sigaty, along with other Blizzard alumni, felt it was time to move on to new challenges, embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship. He envisioned a game that was cooperative rather than competitive, reflecting his love for tabletop games while addressing the barriers they often present to casual players. That’s where Sunderfolk comes in, providing a friendly and accessible RPG experience that doesn’t require hours of setup.
Erin Marek, Sunderfolk’s game director, brings her background in biology and passion for tabletop games to the project. The team drew inspiration from a wide range of tabletop and phone-based party games, creating an amalgamation of their favorite elements. The result is a game that feels familiar yet fresh, offering a unique blend of strategy, charm, and accessibility.
Sunderfolk unfolds in three acts, spanning around 38 levels. You can create a party of up to four characters, each representing a different animal and an RPG archetype. I personally enjoyed playing as the salamander Pyromancer, whose fire magic and fiery steps added a thrilling touch to the gameplay. Each act consists of missions, varying in objective from defeating enemies to guiding a giant beetle across the stage. These missions are perfect for quick and engaging game sessions with friends.
Joining Sunderfolk is as simple as downloading the phone app and scanning a QR code on your screen. The game remembers your progress, unlike the ephemeral nature of Jackbox’s web-based setups. The game itself is built around strategic card play, with each player choosing three cards per turn, deciding on movement and attacks. There’s no strict turn order, allowing for strategic planning and collaborative gameplay.
Sunderfolk feels approachable, but with depth for those who want to master its systems. Between levels, you can return to Arden, customize your characters, purchase items, and refine your deck. This town-building component offers an optional way to engage with the game between missions, making it a perfect choice for those who want to play in short bursts or while others are busy.
While one player can theoretically control four characters, the developers emphasize that Sunderfolk thrives when played with others. The game’s charm lies in the details, including its use of just one voice actor – Anjali Bhimani, known for her role as Symmetra in Overwatch. Bhimani brings a captivating performance, imbuing each character with a unique personality and charm.
Perhaps the most striking feature of Sunderfolk is its use of a phone app instead of traditional game controllers. While this may sound off-putting to hardcore PC gamers, it’s a surprisingly intuitive and seamless experience. The developers believe this setup allows for a more personalized and engaging way to present information to players only when needed. The app mimics the feeling of holding a deck of cards in a tabletop game, making the transition from physical to digital gameplay more natural.
The phone app also facilitates unique and hilarious moments, allowing players to name objects and enemies in secret, creating unexpected laughs and memorable moments. These are the kinds of experiences that make game nights special, and Sunderfolk promises to deliver in spades.
While Sunderfolk may not be a revolutionary RPG, its accessibility and phone-based controls make it a perfect choice for casual gamers and those looking to introduce their friends to the world of tabletop RPGs. I’m eager to see how it performs with a broader audience, particularly those who may not be die-hard gamers. Sunderfolk is set to launch in 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. To play, only one person needs to own the game, while others can download the free iOS and Android mobile app. Get ready for a game night experience that’s both engaging and approachable.
