Skip to main content

Sunderfolk

Sunderfolk’s attempt at bringing the tabletop RPG experience to the living room TV screen is difficult to find fault with. Its clever use of mobile devices does a great job at capturing the tactile nature of true tabletop gaming, resulting in a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the full game night experience. The story may be a little generic, and the standard difficulty option may be a little undertuned, relative to how successful Sunderfolk is in achieving its vision elsewhere. For anyone, like me, who struggles to find the time or motivation to unpack their favourite tabletop behemoth and endure the inevitable setup and breaking down phase, Sunderfolk is a truly wonderful alternative that works better than it has any right to.
Sunderfolk Game Cover
91%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
93% User Score Based on 1,542 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudXbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStation
Sunderfolk Game Cover

About

Sunderfolk is a single player and multiplayer tactical role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Secret Door and was released on April 23, 2025. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Rediscover Game Night with the magic of Sunderfolk, a shared turn-based tactical RPG adventure where your mobile device becomes the controller*. Built with a couch co-op experience in mind, up to four players adventure through the magical and dangerous Sunderlands.

Skip User Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,542 reviews
story134 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions

  • Innovative use of phones as controllers enables seamless local and remote multiplayer with only one game copy needed, simplifying setup and encouraging group play.
  • Accessible but tactically deep turn-based combat, with distinct and well-designed character classes offering varied playstyles and strategic synergy.
  • Charming art style, well-executed narration by a single voice actor, and enjoyable town interaction mechanics with character relationships and customizable content.
  • Gameplay progression and mission variety keep experiences fresh and engaging, providing sufficient challenge especially on higher difficulty settings.
  • User interface and phone app are intuitive, polished, and enhance gameplay flow without overwhelming players, accommodating beginners and experienced players alike.
  • Strong co-op and social mechanics foster collaboration and lively discussion, contributing to memorable shared gaming sessions.
  • Phone-based controls, while innovative, can feel clunky or awkward to some players, and the requirement to use a mobile device may deter others, especially solo players without additional devices.
  • Storyline and dialogue are simple, sometimes cheesy or generic, and voice acting by a single actor, though charming to some, may be off-putting to others.
  • Difficulty spikes and boss fights, particularly towards the end, can be punishing and occasionally feel unbalanced or frustrating.
  • Occasional technical issues such as disconnections, loading freezes, and connectivity problems have been reported, impacting multiplayer experience.
  • Limited content length with relatively few chapters and characters; some players want more missions, expansions, or replayability options (e.g., mission replays, modding).
  • Lack of controller or full keyboard/mouse support for gameplay indicates current reliance solely on phones, which some find restrictive or inconvenient.
  • story
    478 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in this game is generally described as simple, cute, and family-friendly with a lighthearted, charming tone, though it is often seen as generic, straightforward, or somewhat childish. While the narrative provides a cohesive thread that connects diverse and engaging missions and introduces likable characters, it is mostly considered serviceable rather than deeply immersive or complex, with limited branching paths and only modest impact on gameplay choices. Players appreciate the voice acting and world-building elements like town interactions and NPC affinities, which add personality, but many wish for more depth, maturity, and replayable content through additional campaigns or expansions.

    • “The storytelling is wonderfully executed, and the story itself, while on the shorter side, is very well written and really pulls you in to the world it builds.”
    • “Sunderfolk has an amazing story, and is presented in a way that gets you attached to the townsfolk in an immersive campaign.”
    • “The story and characters are cute too, all being voiced by the narrator.”
    • “The storyline is not great, and I don't care about it.”
    • “The story the game tells in cutscenes between missions is so simple and childish it's actually a bit off-putting to play as an adult.”
    • “The plot and the dialogues are bland, generic, unimaginative, and 'safe' to the point of putting Teletubbies or Thomas the Tank Engine to shame.”
  • gameplay
    312 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Sunderfolk offers accessible yet strategically rich gameplay, blending streamlined tactical RPG mechanics inspired by Gloomhaven with innovative phone-as-controller integration that enhances social and couch co-op play. Its diverse character classes, intuitive controls, and variety of mission objectives keep the gameplay engaging and approachable for both casual and experienced players. While not groundbreaking, its polished mechanics, cooperative depth, and clever design create a fun and memorable tactical experience.

    • “The game eases you into its mechanics, and the classes are fun to play and discover.”
    • “The mechanics and the different classes are excellent and allow for strong cooperative interactions, which makes playing this game together with friends an absolute blast.”
    • “The gameplay itself is fun and engaging too, being strategic without being mind-bogglingly difficult.”
    • “You can still disable it for certain difficulties or simply not use it but having to quit the game and restart it as a silly workaround for this just because you misclicked or, and this is very frustrating for anyone who is new to the game which is literally everyone at some point, because you didn't know certain mechanics/behaviors and/or wanted to test them, is ridiculous.”
    • “There is a lot of min/maxy things you will need to learn, in order to know how the mechanics work.”
    • “The game will let you go into a mission without equipment, won't let you restart a round, and introduce mechanics that go against previous mechanics.”
  • graphics
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Sunderfolk are widely praised for their charming, vibrant, and cohesive art style featuring cute anthropomorphic characters and lush fantasy visuals that blend 2D and 3D elements seamlessly. The hand-drawn artwork and clean, colorful designs create an inviting, storybook-like atmosphere well-suited for both casual and tabletop RPG fans. While some note the graphics are modest compared to AAA titles, the style perfectly complements the strategic gameplay and immersive voice acting, delivering a visually delightful experience praised for accessibility and appeal across age groups.

    • “Every part of this is spectacular, from the gorgeously hand-drawn cards, the detailed 3D graphics, the immersive voice acting (most of which was done by the talented Anjali Bhimani), and the addicting gameplay!”
    • “The colours are vibrant and full, the art style for the drawings is stunning and the 3D animation style complements the 2D and really translates the beauty of the game's drawn artwork extremely well.”
    • “The visuals are stunning and add to the immersive experience, but it’s really the co-op gameplay that sets it apart.”
    • “It smacks of mobile-level graphics, thrown over to a PC, and all the controls for the game are still on the mobile!”
    • “Graphics feel a tad outdated in 2025 but it has an undeniable charm to it, along with the DM narration and voices.”
    • “~ Graphics are basic.”
  • humor
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely driven by the unique feature allowing players to rename characters, items, and locations, resulting in countless hilarious and personalized moments, especially in group play. Combined with charming voice acting, funny dialogue, and playful interactions, this fosters a lighthearted, engaging atmosphere that keeps players laughing throughout. Overall, the humor is a standout, enhancing the social and tactical gameplay experience.

    • “The ability to rename characters, objects, and locations offers many hilarious moments when played with friends or family.”
    • “It was an absolutely genius move to allow players to rename certain story elements; I do that as a game master in my own IRL TTRPG games, and it allows for the creation of hilarious inside jokes.”
    • “Playing with remote friends has been a blast; being able to name things in the game makes it feel personalized to that playthrough and creates really funny inside joke moments.”
  • replayability
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers high replayability through diverse characters, classes, and mission choices that create varied playstyles and experiences, especially in local co-op mode. While some note the campaign is relatively short and lacks branching storylines, the ability to try different heroes, difficulty levels, and sidequests maintains player interest. Players suggest additional content or procedurally generated campaigns could further enhance replay value.

    • “Great replay value because you want to play all characters and try all the nut combos you can imagine.”
    • “The difference that each animal (class) brings keeps it refreshing and gives it a good amount of replay value.”
    • “The various characters add a lot of replayability, and the difficulty settings make it accessible to casual and somewhat more hardcore players.”
    • “However, I think the 50 euro price tag is a bit steep since you complete the campaign in a little over 20 hours and it doesn't have much replay value aside from replaying the campaign on higher difficulty.”
    • “I'm worried about replayability, and hoping for additional campaigns or player-created storylines.”
    • “I’m partway through two campaigns and the one thing I hope comes in the future is additional campaigns and/or procedurally generated campaigns to increase the replayability.”
  • music
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful, immersive soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere and storytelling. It features dynamic compositions that adapt to characters and scenes, supported by excellent voice acting and audio direction, creating a rich and engaging audio experience. Some minor technical streaming issues have been noted, but overall the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional impact.

    • “The soundtrack in this game is as beautiful as the artwork.”
    • “Truly composed so brilliantly, the music adds so much environment to the game.”
    • “The music sets the tone for exploration, and when the stakes rise, it shifts just enough to make you feel it without ever pushing too hard.”
    • “Soundtrack is not very interesting.”
    • “Steam had audio-streaming issue (music being choppy) and Discord has a default of 5fps streaming, which I had to learn to configure to 30fps.”
    • “The soundtrack is quiet confidence.”
  • character development
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is praised for its well-matched, charming, and unique character designs that enhance the game's appeal and thematic consistency. The growth and diversity of characters feel appropriate and engaging, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience with mechanical depth. Additionally, the integration of voice acting and tabletop-inspired elements further enriches the character-driven narrative.

    • “The character designs are so excellent, and each character feels unique and plays very differently.”
    • “I've enjoyed the character development and new things that are added as the game progresses.”
    • “The character development (power growth) seems appropriate so far.”
  • optimization
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is generally well-optimized, running smoothly on various platforms including Steam Deck and featuring low PC requirements for hosting. The companion app is stable with minimal connectivity issues, offering streamlined mechanics and accessibility that enhance the cooperative experience. Some minor performance hiccups and balancing issues exist but do not significantly impact overall playability.

    • “The companion app runs smoothly, and teamwork is absolutely key to succeeding.”
    • “Much more approachable, streamlined/optimized mechanics, easier to pick up for new players.”
    • “Accessibility 8/10 (most games don't have more than a 5 though), mobile support (relatively), low PC requirements for host, very well optimized. I can't remember the last time I found a game that was actually finished on launch.”
    • “I mean you buy one copy and have four friends playing with you, and the game performance is not like some $70 game that keeps crashing every few minutes or is so unstable that you couldn't even play.”
    • “There are a few items that trivialize certain scenarios and greatly impact how synergy between characters can be optimized.”
    • “Didn't run super smooth on my Steam Deck, but could probably be optimized for that.”
  • grinding
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the game for streamlining or removing tedious grinding elements like setup and maintenance, making progression more engaging and enjoyable. While some find aspects repetitive, the simplified mechanics and smoother gameplay enhance the overall experience compared to similar titles.

    • “It gets very tedious and I prefer it the times they use discrete waves.”
    • “A great casual co-op game that takes heavy inspiration from Gloomhaven without the steep difficulty curve or tedious setup.”
    • “Its Gloomhaven without the tedious setup and lovely graphics.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game delivers a heartfelt and wholesome emotional experience, blending a rich narrative with lush artwork and a great soundtrack. Its unique "everyone gets their own screen" setup fosters a strong couch co-op vibe and engaging social gameplay, reminiscent of Gloomhaven but more accessible. Overall, it balances strategy, story, and emotional connection effectively, making it suitable for both local and online play.

    • “Imagine Gloomhaven, streamlined enough to actually teach your friends, with a great couch co-op vibe thanks to the 'everyone gets their own screen' Jackbox-style phone play, a killer art and animation style, and a really heartfelt 'GM telling you an RPG story' narrative style.”
    • “Sunderfolk is a heartfelt digital tabletop-like experience that masterfully balances strategy, story, and social gameplay.”
    • “A heartwarming cross between Gloomhaven and Humblewood, Sunderfolk is billed as a great couch co-op, but it also works great over Discord streaming and (presumably) Steam sharing as well.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere is generally praised for its charming, tabletop-inspired aesthetic, beautiful art style, and engaging, character-rich world. While it may not appeal to everyone, many appreciate its family-friendly tone and cozy, fun vibe that enhances the overall experience.

    • “Toss in a charming, tabletop atmosphere—where every character is voiced by the narrator—and you have a splendid D&D adjacent that truly shines bright!”
    • “The art and style are fantastic; the atmosphere and central hub are beautiful, the characters are fun and full of character.”
    • “The atmosphere, the cuteness, the strategy, the couch co-op.”
    • “The writing, world, and atmosphere are not my first pick when it comes to a game.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Stability varies across platforms: while the mobile app and general gameplay run smoothly without major bugs, the Steam Deck version initially experienced lag, freezes, and low framerates but has since improved after verification.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “It has since been Steam Deck verified and now runs great on my Steam Deck!”
    • “Constant lags and freezes.”
    • “Be forewarned that the Steam Deck version is a little buggy at the moment and suffers from low framerates for some reason.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game is viewed positively by some users for being consumer-friendly and fair, but others criticize it as a cash grab linked to simple, uninspiring gameplay. Overall, opinions on the monetization model are mixed, with appreciation for its approach but skepticism about the game's overall value.

    • “This shouldn't be a hidden gem; this game deserves more exposure for having such a consumer-friendly monetization model!”
    • “I think my answer below is why, because the game is more of a simple chore than a game, it was a cash grab for almost everyone involved.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Sunderfolk

4h Median play time
17h Average play time
3-17h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Sunderfolk
Skip Game News
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunderfolk is a tactical role playing game with fantasy theme.

Sunderfolk is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 17 hours playing Sunderfolk.

Sunderfolk was released on April 23, 2025.

Sunderfolk was developed by Secret Door.

Sunderfolk has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Sunderfolk for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Sunderfolk is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked, Eon Altar, Demeo, For The King, Wild Woods and others.