Unleash Storybook Magic: Sunderfolk’s DM Narrator Revolutionizes RPGs

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Sunderfolk is revolutionizing the way fantasy tabletop RPGs are experienced in video games. By doing so, it will leverage a unique, mobile-friendly user interface and redefine the traditional Dungeon Master’s role with its own interpretation.

The upcoming game by Secret Door, titled Sunderfolk, is an innovative tactical fantasy RPG with distinct features. This game primarily focuses on local multiplayer (couch co-op), allowing players to control the action using their smartphones, similar to how character sheets are used in tabletop RPGs. Additionally, Sunderfolk offers a fresh take on the Dungeon Master (DM) role, deviating from traditional TTRPG norms. Recently, Game Rant had a conversation with members of the development team, including game director Erin Marek, who shared insights about how the DM function works in Sunderfolk and how it aims to imbue the game with a “storybook atmosphere”.

Sunderfolk’s DM Narrator Explained

In contrast to traditional Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPG), Sunderfolk has an unofficial leader or guide, yet there’s no compulsion for anyone to assume that role. This unique aspect distinguishes Sunderfolk from typical TTRPG experiences, as the creative control over the world and narrative direction is a key element in the TTRPG medium.

As a passionate gamer, I can tell you that Sunderfolk really goes the extra step to capture the atmosphere of players engaging with a Dungeon Master. Actress Anjali Bhimani, who’s made appearances in popular games like Apex Legends, Overwatch, and Avowed, and has been involved in numerous Critical Role projects, takes on the role of the DM for Sunderfolk. She not only describes the player’s actions but also gives each NPC their unique voice, just as a traditional Dungeon Master would. Marek elaborates on how Bhimani’s performance significantly contributes to the execution of Sunderfolk’s tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) fantasy style.

As a newcomer to this kind of gaming world, I found it incredibly helpful that the game had a single narrator. This narrator guided me through the gameplay, stories, and experiences that are common in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). The concept of a game master in Sunderfolk was designed specifically to make these aspects more accessible and easy to understand for someone like me who’s new to this genre.

Besides Sunderfolk’s control system being mobile-based, the role of the GM narrator is arguably the most crucial element in its aim to mimic the ambiance of tabletop RPG gaming. In this regard, tabletop RPGs are unique compared to other media due to the humor that comes from a friend attempting different voices for each Non-Player Character. At the same time, there’s genuine excitement in jointly creating stories and bringing characters to life.

What Sunderfolk’s DM Brings To The Table

In Sunderfolk, the Dungeon Master (DM) plays a role similar to a storyteller rather than a traditional game master, creating a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from other tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Even those new to TTRPGs can appreciate the “storybook” quality of Sunderfolk’s DM narration, which harmoniously complements its world centered around anthropomorphic animals. Marek points out this unique blend as a key factor that makes Sunderfolk appealing and accessible to a wide audience.

As a game facilitator, I gather with a group every Saturday for our gaming sessions. The concept originated during one of my own sessions, where I unexpectedly found myself in a predicament with two non-player characters (NPCs) needing to communicate. This could potentially confuse the players, so in the heat of the moment, I provided each NPC with distinct, exaggerated voices to ensure clear differentiation when speaking.

The team erupted in hearty laughter, and there was a sense of camaraderie as we all understood we were simply enacting a shared fantasy. Few people get to savor this unique experience unless they are tabletop role-playing game enthusiasts. I aimed to infuse Sunderfolk with that same feeling – an enchanting, storybook ambiance evoking the child within us, enhanced by a game master who brings each character to life.

The narrator in Sunderfolk offers significant advantages for the game. Bhimani’s portrayal adds an immersive, Dungeon Master-like atmosphere, thereby lessening the mental burden typically associated with the DM role. This allows players to fully engage in the game’s intricate, turn-based strategic gameplay.

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2025-04-21 16:16