Overview
Sunderfolk stands out in the tactical RPG landscape by brilliantly merging digital gameplay with the social dynamics of tabletop gaming. Developed by Secret Door and published by Dreamhaven, this turn-based adventure creates a unique space where strategy, storytelling, and accessibility converge. Players embark on a journey through the magical Sunderlands, commanding a roster of distinct heroes against challenging foes while building relationships and rebuilding the village of Arden between missions.
What truly distinguishes Sunderfolk is its revolutionary approach to multiplayer gaming. The game requires only one purchase, with everyone else joining via a free mobile app that transforms their phones or tablets into personalized controllers. This design decision eliminates traditional barriers to co-op play, making it exceptionally easy to gather friends for an impromptu gaming session. The mobile interface provides each player with their own hand of skill cards, character information, and controls—all without crowding around a single screen.
The gameplay centers around thoughtful tactical combat where positioning, ability synergies, and turn order planning are essential. Each mission presents unique challenges that encourage creative problem-solving and team coordination. The free trial version offers an excellent entry point, allowing players to experience the first four missions with the full roster of heroes before committing to the complete adventure.
Sunderfolk
How Does Multiplayer Actually Work?
Sunderfolk's multiplayer functionality represents a fresh approach to cooperative gaming that prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing depth. Players join a session by simply scanning a QR code displayed on the host's screen, connecting their phones or tablets instantly to the shared adventure without needing accounts, downloads, or additional game purchases.
Sunderfolk
The game supports multiple play configurations to accommodate different social situations:
- Local couch co-op with friends sharing a single screen
- Remote play through platforms like Discord
- Solo play controlling multiple heroes
- Steam Remote Play for distance gaming
This flexibility means Sunderfolk adapts to your circumstances rather than forcing you to adapt to its limitations. Whether hosting friends in your living room or connecting with distant companions, the experience remains equally engaging and accessible.
Combat and Strategy
At its core, Sunderfolk delivers a robust tactical combat system that balances accessibility with strategic depth. Battles unfold on grid-based maps where positioning, terrain, and turn sequencing create varied tactical puzzles. Each hero brings unique abilities to the battlefield, represented by skill cards that players manage through their phone controllers.
The combat system emphasizes teamwork through clever mechanics:
- Synergistic ability combinations between heroes
- Strategic turn order planning
- Resource management across the party
- Adaptive tactics to counter diverse enemy types
- Environmental interactions that affect combat outcomes
Sunderfolk
What makes these encounters particularly engaging is how the phone controller interface streamlines complexity without removing depth. Players have immediate access to all their character information and abilities without menu-diving or screen-sharing, allowing the group to focus on strategy rather than interface management. This design choice maintains the game's pace while supporting thoughtful decision-making.
Between Battles: The Village of Arden
Combat represents only half of Sunderfolk's gameplay loop. Between missions, players return to the village of Arden—a sanctuary that evolves throughout the campaign. Here, the game shifts from tactical combat to community building and character development, creating a satisfying rhythm that balances action with narrative progression.
Arden serves multiple purposes within the game structure:
- A hub for upgrading equipment and abilities
- A space to develop relationships with companions and villagers
- A narrative anchor that provides context for missions
- A customizable base that reflects your progress
Sunderfolk
These village segments provide crucial pacing breaks while deepening player investment in the world and its inhabitants. Conversations with NPCs reveal both personal stories and world lore, while upgrade decisions create meaningful progression that directly impacts combat capabilities. Some relationships may even develop beyond friendship, adding an optional layer of romance to the adventure.
System Requirements
Final Thoughts
Sunderfolk successfully bridges the gap between digital convenience and tabletop camaraderie, creating a tactical RPG experience that's both accessible and substantial. By transforming phones into specialized controllers and requiring only a single purchase for an entire group, Secret Door has removed traditional barriers to multiplayer gaming while preserving the strategic depth that strategy fans crave.
The game's combination of thoughtful turn-based combat, evolving village mechanics, and innovative multiplayer functionality makes it a standout entry in the tactical RPG genre. Whether you're a veteran strategist or new to the genre, Sunderfolk offers a welcoming yet challenging adventure that captures the essence of game night—shared stories, collaborative problem-solving, and the simple joy of playing together.
