For a limited time, Xbox players can experience Sunderfolk, a tactical role-playing game designed to capture the essence of tabletop campaigns without the associated logistical challenges. Developed by Secret Door, a studio comprised of former Blizzard Entertainment employees, the game is available as part of Xbox Free Play Days from August 13 to August 16.
Sunderfolk offers a turn-based tactical RPG experience centered around a party of colorful heroes embarking on quests from the town of Arden. Players select from six distinct animal-themed characters, such as a bear Berserker or a bat Bard, and engage in battles on hex-based maps. These encounters are designed to be more than simple combat, incorporating environmental hazards, strategic objectives, and opportunities for creative enemy manipulation, like using giant beetles as mine carts.
A unique aspect of Sunderfolk is its control scheme. While the game is displayed on a television or monitor, each player utilizes a personal phone or tablet as their controller, character sheet, and ability card interface. This setup allows players to direct actions on the shared screen while keeping detailed RPG information, including character abilities, equipment, and monster stats, private on their individual devices. This approach aims to keep the main screen clear, functioning more like a physical tabletop board than a traditional video game menu.
Mixed into the tactical combat is a light deck-building element, where abilities are drawn from a customizable deck of Fate Cards rather than relying on dice rolls. Between missions, players return to Arden to upgrade their characters, interact with non-player characters, and make decisions presented privately on their phones. These features contribute to Sunderfolk's appeal as an alternative to traditional tabletop gaming, as it manages the complex rules and bookkeeping, allowing players to focus on strategic choices and narrative progression.
Sunderfolk is described as charming and accessible, offering enough depth to satisfy players seeking a tabletop-like experience without requiring a significant time commitment. With its availability as a free-to-play title for a limited period, it presents an accessible opportunity for players to gather friends for a cooperative gaming session.