Sunderfolk achieves a balance between Jackbox and D&D.
Sunderfolk is a new game created by former Blizzard developers, where players use their phones to engage in a card-based tactical RPG.
During game nights with friends, it's common to choose between two activities: playing Dungeons & Dragons or some festive video game accessible from our phones. The famous board game allows for an endless variety of campaigns to explore, while titles like Jackbox and King Of The Castle offer a dynamic approach based on players' responses. However, Sunderfolk, a new game from Dreamhaven, is finding a middle-ground option between the two.
Dreamhaven was founded in 2020 by Mike Morhaime, one of the creators of Blizzard Entertainment, along with other studio veterans. They are currently preparing to launch various titles, including Lynked: Banner of the Spark and Sunderfolk. The latter is a tactical card-based RPG set in a fantasy world where animals fight to protect the underground village of Arden from various threats.
One of the most interesting features of Sunderfolk is that each player manages their character and cards through a dedicated app on their phone, connecting to the PC or console version of the game. A recent playtest in Los Angeles suggested that it could be the ideal game to include in the rotation of activities among friends. While it requires a period of adaptation, it is evident that the developer Secret Door aims to simplify the experience of playing a tabletop RPG.
Chris Sigaty, known for his work at Blizzard on titles like Warcraft III and StarCraft II, mentioned that he and other studio veterans felt it was time to venture into new projects. Sigaty, who founded Secret Door under the Dreamhaven umbrella, wanted to create a cooperative game, in contrast to the competitiveness of many of his previous works. His love for tabletop games led him to develop Sunderfolk, designed to be accessible even for those who don't want to dedicate a lot of time to setup.
Erin Marek, the game's director at Dreamhaven, also shares a passion for tabletop games and considers Sunderfolk the perfect representation of what she always wanted to play. The team drew inspiration from various board games and party games to bring this RPG to life, which is structured into three acts and around 38 levels, where players can form a group of up to four characters represented by different animals.
Each mission can vary, ranging from defeating enemies to guiding a huge beetle. The idea is that short missions turn into enjoyable RPG sessions for groups of friends. The mobile app is essential, as players must scan a QR code on the screen to join the game, and progress is saved, unlike what happens in web-based games.
As for gameplay, Sunderfolk is based on card strategy. Each player chooses three cards each turn, which dictate their movements and attacks. The design allows players to act without a strict order, favoring a tactical approach that is accessible yet deep for those who wish to delve into its mechanics. Players return to Arden between levels to customize their characters, acquire valuable items, and modify their decks, adding a city-building element to the game.
A distinctive feature is that Sunderfolk features a single voice actor, Anjali Bhimani, known for her role as Symmetra in Overwatch. Her performance brings each character to life with a personal touch. Additionally, using a mobile app as a controller offers an intuitive experience, allowing the game to flow at an appropriate pace. Sigaty emphasized that this system makes it easier to present relevant information to each player when they need it.
Throughout the game, humorous moments can arise, such as when a player assigns unique names to enemies without others knowing. These types of situations are part of the essence of tabletop game adventures, suggesting that Sunderfolk could become a favorite for group game nights. While it doesn't promise to revolutionize the RPG genre, its accessibility and the use of phones as controllers could attract a more casual audience.
Sunderfolk is expected to launch for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2025. Only one player will need to own the game, while others will need to download the free app on iOS and Android to participate.
