Available on: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox (all versions require a free mobile app for each player)
Played on: PlayStation 5 (and mobile!)
Using a mobile phone app as a companion controller for a co-op RPG is such a slam-dunk move that it’s a wonder it’s taken this long (and how Nintendo missed it with the Wii U is beyond me).
Not only cleverly integrates the phone-as-controller concept for an entire party of players, Sunderfolk is just a darn good tactical-RPG, and perfect for fans who don’t mind going digital with game night.
Read on for our review of Sunderfolk!
Sunderhaven
You could claim that Sunderfolk is inspired by Dungeons & Dragons (and parts of it certainly are), but I’m going to use a much more apt (though slightly more niche) comparison: Gloomhaven.
Gloomhaven, and its younger sibling Frosthaven, are tactical board games that feature hex-grid maps, branching stories and missions, lengthy campaigns, and an intriguing variety of playable characters. Sounds familiar!
Sunderfolk begins by choosing one of six characters from this anthropomorphic world. Each character has unique abilities and design, from a fire-spewing lizard who creates and collects fire to power up their magic, to a batty bard who uses music to create buffs and inspire allies.
Up to four players can start a campaign, which features drop-in/drop-out local co-op. Online co-op is sort-of possible with screen-sharing, as the entire player character information and controls are accessed via the free phone app. The app handles skill card abilities and inventory management, as well as targeting and movement during combat.
Missions task the party with defeating enemies, rescuing allies, recovering supplies, or investigating areas. Players use their ability cards to move, attack, and activate special abilities, which are unique to each character. Unlike Gloomhaven, cards aren’t combined or discarded, making it far easier to manage over the entire battle. As you level up you’ll unlock additional cards, unlocking your character’s potential and combos.
As a Gloomhaven veteran, I especially like how intuitive everything is in Sunderfolk. For example, to push an enemy, you simply move into it. Same for swapping a space with an ally, or interacting with a treasure chest or other object. Card abilities are straightforward and well-designed, with helpful pop-ups that explain various buffs or extra features. I also love that players can simply choose what order they act in any given round, leading to some fun planning and strategizing — with the occasional “Leeroy Jenkins” maneuvers.
Defenders of Arden
Sunderfolk doesn’t start with the most compelling setup. The player characters are the official guardians of their underground community, but the town of Arden seems wholly built to support the players, with little lore or history to dive into.
The townsfolk are a nice touch, from the elderly Grove Tender tortoise to the aloof penguin noble. Between missions, players can speak to a few of them at a time, unlocking rewards and sometimes getting a chance to rename things like drinks, buildings, or even some enemies — a fun touch inspired by tabletop RPGs.
Players upgrade the town by donating items and gold, unlocking additional services and shops. Frosthaven also added a town development system tied to progression, but I actually like Sunderfolk’s more streamlined and accessible approach better.
I also enjoyed the cheeky nod to the Game Master — the all-important host role in a tabletop RPG. All the voice work in Sunderfolk, from a literal Game Master narrator to each townsfolk and talkative enemy, is narrated by a single voice actor. Anjali Bhimani (also of Overwatch and Apex Legends fame) does a fantastic job, creating the illusion of sitting at a table listening to a passionate and talented game master present their world.
But if you’re going into Sunderfolk expecting a full-blown digital D&D experience, you may be disappointed. There’s almost no avenue for role-playing or decision-making, nor skill checks or failures. It’s a tactical combat game with an overarching campaign narrative, and mostly linear missions.
On the other hand, the voice acting is great, the story (and world) gets more interesting later in the campaign, and the co-op tactical combat is absolutely worth the price of admission.
The Rating
Sunderfolk is rated E10+ with Fantasy Violence. The RPG primarily revolves around battling monsters with melee weapons and magic spells. There is no blood or gore, and defeated enemies disappear. Defeated players are knocked out, missing a turn before reviving (or receiving a game over, if the team is out of revives). Turn-based combat is easy enough for kids, though everyone needs their own phone to play and control their character.
The Takeaway
As a big Gloomhaven fan, and a D&D fan (shameless plug: I run a D&D liveplay YouTube channel), Sunderfolk gives me a lot of what I want from a local co-op RPG: cool characters, compelling combat, neat designs, and a semi-shallow world that’s easy to dip our toes into. Some mission choices, along with multiple character options, add to the replayability. I desperately hope developer Secret Door supports the game post-launch with additional campaigns and characters.
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