As a seasoned tabletop RPG enthusiast with countless hours spent around the gaming table, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of excitement upon hearing about Sunderfolk. The blend of digital and traditional elements, combined with the cooperative gameplay that echoes the camaraderie of my real-life gaming sessions, is truly captivating.
Over four years have elapsed since Mike Morhaime, co-founder and ex-CEO of Blizzard, launched his fresh endeavor in the gaming industry. Teaming up with other creative minds from the field, Morhaime played a significant role in establishing Dreamhaven, a novel publishing company focused on delivering innovative gaming experiences. One such experience is being developed by Secret Door, which recently revealed its maiden project – an adventure game reminiscent of tabletop RPGs titled Sunderfolk.
At first sight, Sunderfolk appears to be a typical Role-Playing Game (RPG) with a tabletop aesthetic. Four players unite in the realm of Arden, a fantastical land inhabited by anthropomorphic animal creatures living harmoniously in a village. The village is under threat as an increasing evil from the malevolent Orcs looms. This world is rich with tales waiting to be told, many of which are discovered through side quests that unfold like a pen-and-paper RPG. What makes Secret Door’s project distinctive is its unique features that set it apart from similar games.
In Sunderfolk, you’ll find it on PC and consoles, but unlike most games that use a standard controller, this game adopts a strategy similar to Jackbox Games. Instead of a traditional controller, players utilize their personal smartphones or tablets for an interactive secondary screen experience. This setup aims to mimic the sensation of gathering around a tabletop, allowing each player to independently manage their characters, attacks, inventory items, movements, and actions without relying on others. You can even navigate the hub village and its stores using your mobile device.
As a dedicated fan, I can tell you that when Secret Door embarked on this project, their aim wasn’t just to create another typical Role-Playing Game (RPG). Instead, they were striving to digitize the thrilling experience of a Dungeons and Dragons-style game night. In essence, games like Slay the Spire have paved a similar path, but Sunderfolk is primarily geared towards cooperative play.
In the context of battles, Sunderfolk operates similarly to a typical Role-Playing Game (RPG), offering six unique character classes for players to select: Arcanist, Bard, Berserker, Pyromancer, Ranger, and Rogue. Each class possesses its own set of special abilities. For instance, the Pyromancer is ideal for widespread attacks, with these abilities growing stronger when standing on a flamed tile. The Berserker excels in close-quarter combat and enduring damage due to its superior defensive stats. The Bard is proficient at healing characters and enchanting allies or adversaries in various ways.
In my gaming experience, I devised a strategy for our group that allowed us to overcome various challenges such as spider hives, charging orcs, and saving villagers. We succeeded by leveraging each other’s skills, communicating effectively, and employing cooperative tactics. Some missions required objectives like escorting a helpful beetle to safety or obtaining a key protected by skeletons. Triumph would necessitate the judicious application of party abilities, for instance utilizing the Berserker to absorb damage while exploiting the Bard’s enchant power to move a team member closer to the objective without consuming their moves.
Absolutely, a tabletop game wouldn’t feel quite right without an element of chance. In this game, each player gets a Fate deck containing cards with various outcomes – beneficial, neutral, or detrimental. Before launching an attack, players take turns rolling dice to randomly draw from their Fate deck. The roll’s outcome can amplify or diminish damage, add additional tile effects, or produce no effect at all. It’s all about the roll of the dice, and a bad run of luck could lead to some tough defeats. Thankfully, players can earn in-game money to strengthen their Fate deck as they progress. The impact of new cards might differ, but every player must maintain a specific number of positive, neutral, and negative effect cards in their deck at all times.
As a devoted admirer, let me share my perspective on Sunderfolk: This game isn’t designed for a fleeting moment, but rather for an enduring journey. Unlike asking about its length, Secret Door emphasizes that Sunderfolk thrives in sessions. The beauty of this game lies in the fact that advancements made during one session can persist into the next, fostering a dream where this game could become a cherished tradition among friends who embark on this adventure together.
The initial collaboration between Dreamhaven and Secret Door could turn out to be extraordinary, given the unique way their game captures the enjoyment and oddities of tabletop gaming. It’s exciting to observe a developer draw inspiration from innovations by companies like Jackbox Games, using mobile devices as a secondary screen in an entirely distinct genre. Anticipation mounts for the release of Sunderfolk on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, estimated for 2025. Later, you can download the Sunderfolk app on iOS and Android devices.
This preview is based on an early PC build of the game and an early iOS build of the accompanying app played on-site at a closed press event in Santa Monica, CA. The final product is subject to change.
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2024-10-10 18:28