As a seasoned Berserker and tabletop enthusiast, I must say that the gaming experiences I’ve recently had have been nothing short of extraordinary! The tale of our brave Bard and her gold-denying ways has left an indelible mark on me, much like the claw marks I leave when I’m in full Berserker rage.
Tabletop games such as Dungeons and Dragons have left an indelible mark on the video game industry, influencing games either by incorporating similar mechanics or not. Games like Dragon Age: Origins, Disco Elysium, and Baldur’s Gate 3 are examples of this influence, but they fall short in replicating the social experience that comes with gathering around a table. The unique, close-knit moments where players grow attached to random characters, develop inside jokes, take turns being the subject of humor from bad dice rolls, and share the tension as plans don’t always go as planned are aspects that no game has successfully replicated so far. However, this could soon change with Secret Door and Dreamhaven’s 2025 title, Sunderfolk.
Over the weekend, I spent around 2-3 hours immersed in the captivating world of Sunderfolk at a Secret Door event held in New York City. This game has swiftly climbed to the top of my most eagerly awaited titles. Throughout my gaming life, I’ve dabbled in numerous video games and have been a dedicated Dungeons and Dragons player since high school, with only occasional hiatuses. However, nothing I’ve encountered before has managed to fuse these two passions quite like Sunderfolk does.
In essence, Sunderfolk is an engaging tactical RPG where gamers select one of six character classes inspired by tabletop games and strive to safeguard the subterranean town of Arden, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. This game encourages cooperative play for up to four players on a couch or around a table. Although remote play is an option, the true essence of Sunderfolk comes alive when players enjoy it together in close proximity. During our brief gameplay, we witnessed Arden under attack by Orcs, but hints suggested a sinister mastermind orchestrating these raids, causing the Tree of Life in Arden to deteriorate. If this tree perishes, so will everyone, which is why our group formed from a barroom brawl and evolved into heroes ready to confront that threat. Notably, every character and narration within the game are voiced by a single actor, who also lends her voice to Symmetra in Overwatch, Anjali Bhimani, delivering an exceptional dungeon master experience.
Sunderfolk Classes Tap into the Best of Tabletop Design
Characters in this game can select from six distinct roles: a Berserker (bear), a Bard (bat), a Rogue (weasel), a Pyromancer (Salamander), an Arcanist (Crow), and a Ranger (Goat). Each role offers nine unique abilities that are unlocked as you progress, with four basic abilities, an ultimate ability, and additional abilities becoming available. Beyond these special abilities, each character also possesses a Fate Deck, the option to wield weapons, and the option to wear trinkets.
I controlled the Bear Berserker character, reminiscent of a traditional Dungeons and Dragons Barbarian. This character possessed unique skills such as charging and attacking (triggering enemies to target me), a Whirlwind attack, the power to seize and toss foes, and an ability centered around moving and drawing in as many adversaries as possible. My ultimate unleashed a tremendous roar, boosting my movement speed, inflicting decent damage over a wide area, attracting numerous enemies, and bestowing Shields to myself and fellow combatants. Additionally, the character’s Rage mechanic was integrated into gameplay, as anticipated.
Absolutely, Sunderfolk is a social game, so Screen Rant (SR) became the Pyromancer, while game director Erin Marek took on the role of the Bard. The Pyromancer executed multiple attacks on several targets, possessed special movement skills, and amplified its abilities by moving through fire-prone areas in the environment. On the other hand, the Bard crafted magical notes across the battlefield to provide healing, shielding, or boosts, dealt minimal damage, charmed both friends and foes, and overall, used enchantment to manipulate them.
In response to queries about Downloadable Content (DLC), the creators of Secret Door appeared receptive to the concept; however, they emphasized their priority was ensuring the game was fully content-rich upon release. Here’s hoping for a noble Lion Paladin expansion!
The Fate Deck is Your D20
In the thrilling world of Sunderfolk, I personally find myself reaching for my trusty Fate Deck whenever I’m about to unleash an ability. This deck, much like swiping a stack of cards, is customizable but maintains that familiar sense of unpredictability that Dungeons and Dragons fans know so well, thanks to their beloved D20s. The deck consists of ten cards, cleverly divided into three categories: positive cards (the lucky high rolls), neutral cards (the balanced middling rolls), and negative cards (the unfortunate bad rolls). For instance, a positive card might boost my damage by +2, a neutral one could provide no bonus, while a negative roll could potentially set me back -2. As I delve deeper into the captivating realms of Sunderfolk, I have the opportunity to swap out these cards with new ones, but I must always ensure I have a specific number of each. These fresh cards offer unique advantages or penalties, such as the power to Root enemies or activate a minor shield.
How Sunderfolk’s Weapons and Trinkets Work
Accessories grant additional skills to a Sunderfolk character setup, such as tossing items, counterattacking damage, or growing vines within a specific area. These skills serve as minor abilities or responses, much like in Dungeons & Dragons. Regrettably, we didn’t get the chance to try out weapons, but studio head Chris Sigaty clarified that they allow for performing certain actions outside of the turn sequence.
How Sunderfolk Gameplay Works
Initially, I was doubtful when Secret Door suggested my controller would be a mobile device; I found it plausible for Jackbox games, but wondered about its practicality and superiority over traditional controllers. As expected, there were moments that felt uncomfortable, but my reservations dissipated after experiencing the game. Employing a mobile device instead of a standard controller significantly enhances the recreation of a tabletop social environment, and the most accurate description I can provide is that it’s akin to having the D&D Beyond app seamlessly interact with your game board rather than merely mimicking it.
Sunderfolk will work with either Android or iOS devices.
During conflict, this feature enables the team to strategize on how to handle the adversaries and goals at hand. Unlike traditional combat systems with initiative rolls, it encourages players to devise a strategy and implement it, resulting in outcomes that can be beneficial or detrimental (or swiftly taking your turn to block another player’s action, done in good humor). This fosters a cooperative gaming atmosphere unique to tabletop games. After planning, players can take their turns by choosing an ability and swiping up. The interface then transforms into a sort of board where you can move around and select targets. Although this aspect felt a bit clumsy initially, it’s something Secret Door is continually refining. Overall, if the mobile device controls are the most challenging part of playing the game, that suggests a promising gaming experience.
During battles on our mobile devices, two additional roleplaying aspects emerged:
In the heart of Sunderfolk, the vibrant town center known as Arden, we employed our phones to advance character levels, decide on skills for forthcoming battles, tailor our characters, interact with town residents, pick dialogue choices, and immerse ourselves in the world of Sunderfolk. As players move forward, they will discover new structures and NPCs within Arden, the chance to enhance these buildings, and ways to influence the development of this world.
This explanation focuses on how Sunderfolk operates mechanically. However, due to the constraints of mobile devices, it’s not as daunting as sifting through Dungeons and Dragons player guides. Instead, it simplifies the process, eliminates setup time (and post-game table cleaning), and presents all essential information for players when they require it. Plus, it offers engaging gameplay scenarios to enhance the experience.
Sunderfolk Gameplay Taps into the Best of a D&D Table
A bear, a bat, and a salamander stroll into a tavern. The bartender requests our help in ejecting an obstreperous customer, demonstrating the process of making orders and carrying out actions. I nudged him towards the exit to move him from behind a table, and one of the others followed suit, pushing him out. Suddenly, two ogres assaulted us! What are ogres doing in Arden? We managed to repel them, collected some loot, and stepped outside. Additionally, we discovered that the treasure isn’t equally divided among Sunderfolk players (although later found out that players can exchange gold via Arden’s post office).
For future reference, the artwork gives each character a distinct impression: The Bear exudes a serious, even slightly troubled demeanor; the Bat seems to radiate energy, as humorously suggested; while the Salamander appears as if he has nothing but fire in his mind.
In the open air, our objective was to neutralize a neighboring bridge of adversaries and dispose of any explosives. By hurling or pushing them into nearby crevices, we managed this task. As the character with the highest health, I took up position at the forefront, shielding my more fragile Bard and Pyromancer allies. Regrettably, I was knocked out for a moment when all enemies targeted me (appropriately), but they also possessed Fate Decks. Throughout the entire gaming session, these decks consistently drew beneficial effects in my direction, which proved to be a persistent challenge.
The key focus of this battle encounter isn’t about the actions of my adversaries; rather, it’s the actions of my comrades that stand out. Towards the end of the skirmish, we were preparing to leave the area. By then, SR had already made their move, leaving Marek and me to proceed forward. I didn’t quite make it all the way, so I positioned my bear near the exit, ready to grab two piles of gold on my next turn. It was a rare moment of joy for that bear, perhaps its first in existence. In her turn, Marek swooped in and took one of those gold piles. “Fair enough,” I thought. There was still one pile left for me, but as the new round began, SR snatched it before I could reach it, even going out of their way to do so. To make matters worse, they took the gold that was meant for me. This is why the Bear, a Berserker class character, is known to be deeply affected by such incidents.
As a gamer, I can’t help but chuckle at how swiftly our bear character’s broken state turned into a running joke, reminiscent of those amusing roleplay moments in Dungeons and Dragons. Throughout the game, we couldn’t stop laughing about it, and surprisingly, this hilarity facilitated better teamwork among us. We managed to clean out Arden’s enemies, encountering a ridiculously adorable little bug, Chirp, along the way. A wise Grove Tender informed us that the Tree of Life was withering, and the Pyromancer’s response, a blank stare, has since become an unforgettable moment – “Head Empty.
Exploring Arden
During downtime from missions, players have the freedom to roam around the charming town of Arden. Although some buildings weren’t accessible during our gameplay, there were plenty of places offering food for buffs, shopping for new cards for our Fate Deck, purchasing Trinkets, buying cosmetics, using the post office, and more. It serves as a convenient pause when one needs a quick snack or bathroom break, but it also provides opportunities for players to engage with Non-Player Characters (NPCs). Each visit allows players to interact with up to 4 NPCs, enhancing their character’s roleplay through small, seemingly insignificant dialogue choices. Additionally, engaging in repeated conversations with these NPCs can yield rewards such as a trinket that lets you summon them into battle.
Beetles, Caterpillars, and Rampagers, Oh My!
We played through three more missions before our session came to an end.
- A Beetle Rescue
- Supply Hunting
- Caterpillar Tower Defense
In my gaming adventure within Sunderfolk, I was tasked with rescuing a colossal beetle from relentless adversaries. Unlike other beings I’ve saved before, this one didn’t scurry for the exit; instead, it charged straight ahead, colliding with obstacles before altering course. If these enemies kept respawning and managed to take down the beetle, it was game over. Thankfully, my character had a ‘Fling’ ability, and Marek could guide it in the correct direction, making short work of this challenging encounter.
On our latest adventure, we ventured into a spider-infested lair to gather essential supplies. We had to navigate through tangled webs to locate them, but doing so also risked stirring up more spiders. A perception check pointed us towards its hiding place after we battled through roughly half of them, but an Elite Spider lurked in the same vicinity. Despite my desire to engage with it and other spiders, Marek found herself surrounded by a horde of spiders instead. She quickly grabbed the supplies while I distracted the enemies, allowing her to escape. As we retreated, she skillfully lured the spiders from behind me. In typical Berserker fashion, I was ready to fight them to the end, but found myself pinned down by the backline, fending off the spiders as we made our way towards the exit. It offered a fantastic roleplay and strategic gameplay experience. Yet, in my bear’s thoughts…she deprived me of treasure and honor!
In the latter stages of our gaming adventure, we found ourselves at a pivotal mission where our Ultimates were now available for combat. Our objective? Defend the Gates of Arden with the aid of an army of caterpillars led by the small, chirpy Chirp. As the battle raged on, Hurp and Burp played crucial roles, but we also had to contend with a yellow bug named Ol Yelly and a firebug. If the gates fell, it was game over. The caterpillars formed towers around us, providing various advantages in this fight.
At some point during our journey (much like in a typical Dungeons and Dragons campaign), we all grew fond of Ol Yelly. It reached a stage where enemies targeted it even with my attempts to provoke them elsewhere, causing us to concentrate on enemies near Ol Yelly rather than the Gate. Marek was constantly equipping shields onto Ol Yelly. Each time Ol Yelly was attacked, we were passionately pleading for its safety. Sadly, despite our best efforts to keep it alive, Ol Yelly perished just one turn before the end. I was ready to slaughter its attackers in a fit of rage, but the mission ended before I could exact my revenge as we survived the final turn instead.
Arden stood. But at what cost?
Sunderfolk is Already One of My Most Anticipated Games of 2025
2025 promises a plethora of significant game launches, with February boasting heavyweights like “Civilization 7,” “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2,” “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” “Avowed,” “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,” and “Monster Hunter Worlds.” Additionally, titles such as “Tales of the Shire,” “Borderlands 4,” “Death Stranding 2,” “Doom: The Dark Ages,” “Fable,” “Ghost of Yotei,” “Metroid Prime 4,” and “Pokemon Legends: Z-A” are slated for release next year. To top it off, the highly anticipated “Grand Theft Auto 6” is expected to join the fray as well. Given this crowded landscape, it’s impressive that a new IP like “Sunderfolk” has managed to find its unique space and attract attention amidst these blockbuster titles.
If my initial impression of this game remains consistent throughout its entire playtime, it promises to be an ideal starting point for tabletop gaming. The entire experience felt more like a tabletop game integrated with video game elements, showcasing the best aspects of both platforms. It possesses all the qualities to establish itself as a unique intellectual property and novel gameplay experience. It would be convenient to play when a Dungeon Master is unavailable or players cannot attend (due to scheduling conflicts), and it could effortlessly attract newcomers, including children, to the tabletop gaming world. In essence, it may alleviate some of the burden associated with being a Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master for me. In D&D terms, Sunderfolk appears to have a significant advantage heading into 2025.
2025 finds me diving headfirst into the fantastical world of Sunderfolk, as I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at this upcoming gem! Thanks to Game Rant, my journey to explore this title was made possible with travel and lodging arrangements.
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2024-10-10 18:06