The concept of a “digital board game” has long been captivating. Traditionally, tabletop games have influenced their digital counterparts and vice versa. Sunderfolk is the latest development in this domain, offering a unique experience that brings the essence of a evolving tabletop role-playing campaign into the digital world. This game successfully combines the dynamic nature of a digital environment with the engaging aspects of an in-person gaming session.
Sunderfolk has been created by former Blizzard developers at Secret Door, under the burgeoning publisher Dreamhaven. The game aims to recreate a digital version of a tabletop gaming night. Instead of using a single screen and traditional controllers, Sunderfolk uses a PC or console connected to a big screen for display, while gaming interactions are carried out using smartphones.
When you launch Sunderfolk on a platform like Steam, a QR code appears for players to scan. This redirects them to the Sunderfolk player app, allowing easy game access. Although it’s not as streamlined as browser-based games like Jackbox, it’s user-friendly enough to avoid common issues like complex sign-ins or password requirements. Scanning the code grants you a quick entry into the game.
Players can choose from various anthropomorphic animal characters, like a bear-like Berserker, a bat Bard, or a horned Ranger. These characters have distinctive designs that evoke memories of stories like Redwall. Each character comes with its own gameplay strategy; for instance, the Berserker is battle-oriented, and the Pyromancer wields fire. Players can also personalize their characters with custom names, adding a personal touch to their Sunderfolk journey.
In the initial week, I played through a significant portion of Sunderfolk’s campaign with a stable group. Despite the ease of organizing a digital game night, the real-world challenge of coordinating schedules can still apply. Throughout our adventures, prompts would appear on our devices, allowing us to tweak the game world. For example, I renamed certain healing areas “Shrines” to “Butts,” and another player in our group amusingly changed an enemy class’s name to “Zoomers,” which became a recurring inside joke.
Naming isn’t the only customizable feature; Sunderfolk enriches your experience by offering lore snippets and flavor text on your mobile device. Whether it’s helpful hints or engaging world-building, these elements enhance your immersion.
The interaction between the main screen and the second screen is seamless, with minimal issues. Whether engaging in town chats, making decisions, or advancing personal storylines, each player’s actions happen on their own device. This provides individual downtime where you can explore side stories and develop character-driven narratives.
When your team is ready, you gather at the gates to choose a mission, and battles unfold in a tabletop-like manner. The turn-based, grid-centric combat lets each character use and develop unique skills over time. Combining our Berserker’s frontline might with the Bard’s strategic positioning greatly benefited our team.
The combat controls stand out, as players use their phones like a mouse to navigate the main battle board on the screen. The system is surprisingly intuitive, keeping clutter at bay while providing easy access to detailed information on characters, abilities, and enemies. This feature enriches the gaming experience without overwhelming the player with excessive information.
Sunderfolk’s maps become increasingly inventive, introducing obstacles and hazards to keep things interesting. Creative scenarios, like using giant beetles as mine carts which crush enemies on their path, demonstrate the game’s strategic depth.
The gameplay allows for creative interactions beyond simple attacks, encouraging map control and strategic planning. Characters can set traps and reposition enemies, while powerful team-wide cooldown abilities further encourage teamwork and communication. Despite this cooperation, individual players find opportunities to gather gold for personal enhancements.
Instead of dice rolls, fate cards dictate player actions. These cards can alter outcomes, adding an element of chance and strategic deck-building. Players can build and customize their decks over time, introducing a unique twist reminiscent of a card game.
These digital elements make Sunderfolk notably engaging, allowing for quick, strategic combat sessions punctuated with social breaks. This balance between action and downtime feels natural, as players quest, fight, and head back to town for upgrades and relationship building.
While Sunderfolk shines as a multiplayer experience, solo play lacks its collaborative charm. Handling multiple characters can feel cumbersome, highlighting the game’s design as a shared adventure. Additionally, late-joining players might miss out on accumulated rewards, slightly delaying their progression.
Ultimately, Sunderfolk aims to be the next staple in game nights, and it achieves this for those interested in experiencing tabletop vibes in a digital format. The narrative is engaging, enriched further by actress Anjali Bhimani’s role as the game master, providing a rich voiceover for all characters.
Sunderfolk successfully embodies the feel of a modular board game meant to be explored over extended periods. It has potential as a cooperative option for online groups, offering a memorable quest filled with fantasy themes. The innovative use of second screens enhances the interactivity, promising a bright future for similar formats.
For those with a penchant for enjoyable tabletop experiences in a
