Sunderfolk is a tactical, turn-based cooperative RPG developed by Secret Door and published by Dreamhaven. Designed specifically to recreate the magic of a tabletop game night in a digital format, the game supports one to four players. It is currently available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The experience is centered around the village of Arden and the surrounding Sunderlands, where players must work together to combat a creeping corruption known as Shadowstone.

While many tactical RPGs focus on solo play or traditional online matchmaking, Sunderfolk prioritizes the social dynamic of gathering around a screen. Its most striking feature is the removal of the traditional physical controller for local play, opting instead for a "phone-as-controller" system. This innovation, combined with a deep tactical combat system and a vibrant world of anthropomorphic heroes, positions Sunderfolk as a significant evolution in the couch co-op genre.

The Innovative Phone as Controller System

The primary way to experience Sunderfolk is through its dedicated companion app. Instead of requiring a stack of expensive console controllers, every player uses their own smartphone or tablet. By scanning a QR code on the main game screen, the device transforms into a personalized character sheet, a hand of skill cards, and a private interface for managing inventory and making narrative choices.

Bridging the Accessibility Gap

Traditional tactical RPGs often suffer from UI clutter, with menus and stat blocks obscuring the beautiful art and combat animations. Sunderfolk solves this by offloading the "math" and text-heavy elements to the player's palm. On the main screen, you see the cinematic action and the hexagonal battlefield. On your phone, you see your specific cooldowns, card descriptions, and health bars. This separation makes the game remarkably accessible to non-gamers or those who find complex HUDs overwhelming. During our sessions, even players who rarely touch tactical games were able to grasp the mechanics within minutes because the interface felt as intuitive as a standard mobile app.

Private Information and Social Interaction

In a physical tabletop game, holding a hand of cards creates a sense of agency and mystery. Sunderfolk replicates this perfectly. Because your cards are on your phone, you can plan your next move privately before suggesting a strategy to the group. This encourages verbal communication—you have to talk to your teammates to synchronize your abilities, rather than just clicking through menus on a shared screen. It turns the living room back into a social hub where the conversation is just as important as the combat.

Tactical Combat Mechanics and the Open Turn Order

The combat in Sunderfolk takes place on a hexagonal grid, a staple of high-level tactical gaming. However, it diverges from the genre standard in how it handles initiative. Most games in this category use a rigid turn order based on speed stats (Player A, then Enemy A, then Player B). Sunderfolk introduces an "Open Turn Order" system for the player party.

Strategic Freedom in Every Round

In every round of combat, the players decide among themselves who acts first. This is a game-changer for tactical depth. If the Berserker needs to move into a bottleneck to protect the group, they can go first. If the Arcanist needs to teleport a monster into a trap before the Rogue strikes, the team can sequence those actions accordingly. This fluidity means that every turn is a collaborative puzzle. You aren't just playing your character; you are playing the entire party's synergy.

The Role of Skill Cards and Fate Cards

Instead of selecting basic "Attack" or "Defend" commands from a menu, players use Skill Cards. Each card represents a unique ability with specific ranges, damage profiles, and secondary effects. Every hero starts with a basic deck that evolves as they level up and find new equipment.

The randomness of the game is handled by "Fate Cards." When an action is performed, a Fate Card is drawn to modify the outcome—much like rolling a twenty-sided die in a traditional RPG. These cards can add damage, trigger critical hits, or sometimes result in a "miss" or reduced effectiveness. This system provides a layer of controlled unpredictability that keeps the stakes high without feeling unfairly punitive.

Deep Dive into the Hero Classes of Arden

Sunderfolk launched with six core classes, and the recent Patch 2.0 introduced a seventh, the Vanguard. Each class is represented by a stylized animal hero, adding a charming aesthetic to the deep mechanical complexity.

The Arcanist (Crow)

The Arcanist is the master of battlefield control. Represented by a scholarly crow, this class focuses on arcane magic to manipulate positions. In our testing, the Arcanist proved vital for managing "crowd control." Their ability to teleport enemies into unfavorable positions—or pull an ally out of a death trap—is unparalleled. They use mana to fuel powerful spells, making them a high-skill-ceiling class that requires careful resource management.

The Bard (Bat)

Far from a simple background healer, the Sunderfolk Bard is a tactical powerhouse. This bat-themed hero uses "motes" of magical music to buff allies and debuff enemies. Their "Fleet Footwork" ability allows for repositioning teammates outside of their normal movement phase. The Bard excels at making everyone else on the team feel like a superstar, turning a near-miss into a crushing blow through rhythmic support.

The Berserker (Polar Bear)

The Berserker is the quintessential frontline tank. As a massive polar bear, this hero thrives on taking hits. They possess a unique "Rage" mechanic where soaking up damage actually empowers their retaliatory strikes. For teams struggling with survival, the Berserker is the anchor. Their ability to "fling" enemies (or even willing allies) across the battlefield adds a level of chaotic fun to every encounter.

The Pyromancer (Axolotl)

If you want to watch the world burn, the Pyromancer is your choice. This axolotl hero specializes in area-of-effect (AoE) fire magic. Their gameplay loop involves engulfing the hexes in flames and then either letting the enemies burn or "consuming" the flames to unleash a massive burst of damage. The Pyromancer requires high coordination with the rest of the team to ensure allies aren't caught in the crossfire.

The Ranger (Goat)

The Ranger is the master of long-distance engagement and traps. This goat-themed hero uses nature-based abilities to tether enemies in place or set vine traps that trigger when a foe moves. They are excellent for picking off high-threat targets from the backline. Their synergy with the Arcanist is particularly strong, as the Arcanist can push enemies directly into the Ranger's pre-placed traps.

The Rogue (Weasel)

The Rogue focuses on high single-target damage and mobility. As a devious weasel, this class excels at "hit and run" tactics. They have a specific talent for acquiring treasure and applying status effects like poison or bleed. The Rogue is fragile, however, requiring the player to carefully time their entry into the fray and use their evasive skills to escape before the enemy counterattacks.

The Vanguard (Jerboa) - New in Patch 2.0

The Vanguard is a recent addition that introduces the "Knockback" mechanic. As a one-eyed jerboa duelist, the Vanguard balances offense and defense through a "Grit" system. Grit reduces incoming damage and boosts the Vanguard's own attacks, but it is consumed with every hit. The Vanguard's ability to push enemies through other characters—effectively using a monster as a bowling ball to damage its own allies—adds a completely new layer to the game's spatial puzzles.

Rebuilding the Village of Arden

Between missions in the dangerous Sunderlands, players return to the hub village of Arden. This isn't just a place to rest; it’s a living part of the game's progression. Arden is built around a "Brightstone" crystal, and as you complete missions, you earn resources to upgrade the town.

Vendor Upgrades and Customization

Upgrading the local shops—like the blacksmith or the alchemist—unlocks better gear, weapons, and trinkets. This creates a satisfying gameplay loop: venture out to collect loot, bring it back to improve the town, and then head out even stronger. You can also build relationships with the townsfolk, which leads to unique rewards and narrative flavor.

Campaign Voting and Narrative Impact

Sunderfolk isn't just a series of disconnected battles. It features a campaign where players vote on which missions to take and how to respond to certain events in the hub. These decisions can impact the state of the village and the challenges you face in the Sunderlands. This "mission voting" system ensures that the party remains a democracy, further leaning into the cooperative spirit of the game.

Multiplayer Connectivity and Recent Updates

One of the most significant hurdles for local co-op games is the requirement for everyone to be in the same room. Sunderfolk addresses this through multiple connectivity options, especially following the major 2.0 update.

Local Couch Co-op and Remote Play

The primary way to play is sitting together on the couch. Only the host needs to own a copy of the game. The other three players simply download the free app and join. For those who cannot meet in person, Sunderfolk supports remote play via screen sharing (like Steam Remote Play Together or Discord). This allows the host to stream the main game screen while the remote players use their mobile devices as if they were in the room.

The PC Online Multiplayer Revolution

With the arrival of Patch 2.0, Sunderfolk added native PC online multiplayer. This allows PC players to join lobbies directly through the game menu without necessarily needing the phone app, although the app remains the intended "thematic" way to play. This update also introduced mouse and keyboard support, a highly requested feature for solo players or those who prefer a traditional PC setup.

Solo Play Capabilities

While designed for four players, Sunderfolk is fully playable as a solo experience. A single player can manage a party of up to four heroes. On a PC, this becomes even easier with the new mouse and keyboard controls, allowing a single strategist to orchestrate complex combos across multiple hero classes.

Comparison: Sunderfolk vs. Traditional Tabletop Games

Sunderfolk is often compared to "Gloomhaven" or "Dungeons & Dragons," and for good reason. It captures the tactical depth of those games but removes the "admin" work.

Streamlining the Rules

In a physical tabletop game, you often spend 30 minutes setting up the board, another 20 minutes looking up specific rule interactions, and more time manually tracking monster health and status effects. Sunderfolk handles all of this instantly. The game calculates line-of-sight, damage modifiers, and status durations behind the scenes, allowing players to focus entirely on the strategy and the story.

Visual and Auditory Immersion

Unlike a static board game, Sunderfolk brings the Sunderlands to life with vibrant animations, atmospheric music, and sound effects. Seeing the Pyromancer's flames dance across the hexes or the Berserker physically tossing a monster across the screen provides a visceral satisfaction that a plastic miniature simply cannot replicate.

Summary of Key Features

To understand why Sunderfolk is gaining such high ratings (averaging 4.77 stars on platforms like the PlayStation Store), one must look at its core pillars:

  • Zero Barrier to Entry: The free mobile app means you don't need to buy extra controllers for your friends.
  • True Cooperation: The open turn order forces players to talk, plan, and execute as a unit.
  • Deep Customization: Seven distinct classes with evolving skill decks and equipment.
  • Persistent World: The growth of Arden village provides a tangible sense of progress beyond just leveling up.
  • Evolving Content: Developers have shown commitment through major patches like version 2.0, adding new heroes and control methods.

Conclusion

Sunderfolk is a masterclass in how to modernize the "game night" experience. By utilizing the technology everyone already has in their pocket—their smartphone—it removes the hardware barriers that often plague local multiplayer. Underneath its accessible exterior lies a deep, rewarding tactical RPG that rewards clever positioning and tight-knit teamwork. Whether you are a veteran of hexagonal strategy or someone looking for a new way to connect with friends and family, Sunderfolk offers a polished, charming, and strategically rich adventure that proves the best games are those shared together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a controller to play Sunderfolk?

While you can play with a mouse and keyboard on PC following the 2.0 update, the game is designed to be played using the free Sunderfolk companion app on a smartphone or tablet. For console versions, the phone app is the primary way to interact with the game.

Does everyone need to buy the game?

For local co-op and remote play using the mobile app, only the host needs to own a copy of the game. For the native PC online multiplayer mode introduced in Patch 2.0, each player needs their own copy.

Can I play Sunderfolk on the Steam Deck?

Yes, Sunderfolk is compatible with the Steam Deck. You can host the game on the Deck and have players join using their phones, or play solo using the Deck's built-in controls.

What is the maximum number of players?

Sunderfolk supports up to 4 players in a single campaign.

Are there microtransactions in Sunderfolk?

No. The developers have stated that Sunderfolk is a complete product without microtransactions. All content is included in the base purchase, and the companion app is free to download.