Arden: The Heart of Sunderfolk

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The tabletop-style tactical RPG game titled “Sunderfolk” invites players to safeguard Arden, an undergound town that derives its power from the magical Brightstone. Within this town, players can explore various useful facilities and upgrade them as needed. Additionally, they’ll encounter a host of animal NPCs with whom they can form relationships, possibly even leading to romance. Alongside completing missions and defeating enemies, “Sunderfolk” players will also spend time in Arden acquiring new gear, learning about the Sunderlands, or simply socializing with their NPC companions.

Game Rant had a chat with Chris Sigaty (studio head of Secret Door), Erin Marek (director of Sunderfolk), Neo Zhang (narrative designer), and Xavier Gordon (character designer) about the role of Arden in the game. Sigaty referred to Arden as a significant aspect of the game, likening it to an intricate, living display that players can immerse themselves in. As the main hub world of the game, Arden is visually captivating and packed with mechanics, offering numerous destinations to explore and activities to engage in.

Arden Is Filled With Useful Facilities

Inside the town of Arden, Zhang elaborated, there are ten sites where players can enhance using the gold and souvenirs they earn by finishing tasks and overcoming adversaries in tactical turn-based battles. Certain areas within Arden offer players the opportunity to buy new goods and gear or improve their current ones.

  • The Workshop, run by Evelyn the puffin, where players can enhance or upgrade trinkets.
  • The Smithy, run by Zihao the pangolin, is where players can obtain weapons.
  • The Tavern, run by Sinclair the mole, is where players can eat meals that provide combat bonuses.
  • The Market, where characters from outside Arden stay, and players can purchase trinkets.
  • The Oracle, a boat where players can obtain new cards for their Fate Deck.
  • The Clothier, where players can customize their clothing with a variety of styles and colors.
  • The Temple, run by the Grove Tender, is where players can learn the history of Arden.
  • The Gate, run by Treak and Chirp, which keeps outside threats away from the town.
  • The Post Office, run by Hermea the hummingbird, where players can send each other gold and items.
  • The Bridge lets players track which characters they have met and their affinity levels with them.

A Cozy Town Filled With Memorable NPCs

As a gamer, I can tell you that Arden isn’t just any ordinary game world; it’s a vibrant hub filled with charming animal non-player characters (NPCs) that are just waiting to be interacted with. You’ll find familiar faces like the shopkeepers, but also some unique ones such as a hare who can’t remember their own name, a lively dancing dog, and plenty more. Marek, the creative mind behind Arden, described its inhabitants as a colorful mix of characters, carefully crafted to represent diverse archetypes that are symbolically paired with animals. Character designer Xavier Gordon put it perfectly when he said they aimed to create memorable NPCs for this town – a philosophy that truly shines through in every character they’ve brought to life.

In the town, each Non-Player Character (NPC) has a rich and intriguing life. Engaging in conversations with them allows you to uncover their aspirations, secrets, and peculiarities. Our aim is to create an environment where Arden feels lively and vivid, a place that players will be eager to explore, learn from, and ultimately protect.

As a dedicated fan, I must say that Arden, with its array of practical amenities and charming NPCs who become dear friends throughout our adventure, stands out as a meticulously crafted haven. This quaint small-town setting offers a comforting respite from the occasional stresses of battle in Sunderfolk. As we delve deeper into the game, we uncover the town’s secrets and grow fond of its residents, transforming Arden into a familiar and welcoming underground home by the end of our journey.

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2025-04-21 16:24