Sunderfolk Devs Talk An Adorable World of Anthropomorphic Animals

Sunderfolk Devs Talk An Adorable World of Anthropomorphic Animals

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming mobile cooperative tactical RPG, Sunderfolk, has piqued my interest like no other indie title in recent memory. The unique blend of Jackbox-esque humor and Dungeons & Dragons-style gameplay, set against a rich fantasy backdrop inhabited by adorable anthropomorphic animals, is truly a breath of fresh air in the often stale world of gaming.


In simpler terms, the game named “Sunderfolk” is a role-playing game set in the fantastical world of Sunderlands, teeming with lovable animal characters. Players can select from various character classes, each represented by unique animal species and their functions within the game. The creators behind “Sunderfolk” draw inspiration from existing animal-focused media while also strategically using animals to visually depict the roles in the game.

Recently, Game Rant had a chat with the creators of the game called ‘Sunderfolk’. This independent production has been likened to a fusion of “Jackbox ” and “Dungeons and Dragons“. In this game, every player assumes command of a character class – arcanist, bard, berserker, pyromancer, ranger or rogue – to accomplish a sequence of tasks. The story commences with the defense of their hometown, Arden. The universe is inhabited by various creatures, from the massive bear-like berserker to the minute insects that players must save and safeguard during one early-stage mission.

Animals Help Players Visually Understand Sunderfolk’s Classes

Sunderfolk Devs Talk An Adorable World of Anthropomorphic Animals

As a gamer, I jumped at the chance when the Secret Door team revealed their innovative concept: anthropomorphic animals as character classes! A hulking bear, embodying the berserker, was an instant tank symbol, while a sly weasel perfectly represented the rogue, with its focus on stealth. The objective behind this design for Sunderfolk was to make it welcoming and understandable for both novice tabletop gamers and veterans alike. By visually clarifying each character’s role, they aimed to create an inclusive environment that caters to everyone.

At present, the game offers six characters that you can control: the Arcanist is a clever crow, the Bard is a swift bat, the Berserker is a powerful bear, the Pyromancer is a fiery salamander, the Ranger is a nimble goat, and the Rogue is a sly weasel. Moreover, various NPCs, like insects, intelligent fungi, and others, can aid you on your adventure. As for Secret Door’s plans, they haven’t definitively decided whether additional animal classes will be added later, but there’s a possibility that they might introduce more characters as downloadable content.

Sunderfolk Started Out Human-Focused And Then Shifted To Animals

Sunderfolk Devs Talk An Adorable World of Anthropomorphic Animals

Initially, the game Sunderfolk was established within a universe inhabited by humans, offering human-controlled characters. It drew influence from tabletop games such as Gloomhaven and Frosthaven. However, in late 2021, Chris Sigaty, head of Secret Door studio, announced that the setting would shift to a world filled with anthropomorphic animals. This change was made to differentiate Sunderfolk and create something fresh and original.

Originally, our creations were human-like characters… We began discussing intellectual property rights and current events. Somewhere around late 21 or early 22, we decided to shift towards animal characters with human traits. Right from the start, our goal was to innovate and create something fresh.

During the transformation of Sunderfolk into a world entirely populated by animals, the team drew inspiration from various animal-themed media sources. They particularly admired the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, citing it as an influence. Since there were no existing video games that aligned with their vision for Sunderfolk, they sought inspiration in books and board games instead.

Furthermore, creating the cast of animals for the Sunderfolk world enabled the developers to steer clear of the harmful stereotypes typically employed when designing villains in fantasy entertainment. Instead, combatants will engage creatures that inhabit subterranean environments, like spiders and a novel team-designed species of ogres. The animal characters, enchanting underground realm, and distinct setting collectively make Sunderfolk an engaging game that captivates players from the start and maintains their interest, whether they play one mission at a time or multiple missions consecutively.

Sunderfolk is currently in development with a scheduled release window of 2025.

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2024-10-14 23:54