Sunderfolk: The Ultimate Chill Game Night Experience

I tried out Sunderfolk at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last month. The session was fun and made me excited about the game but it didn't show how I’d really play it. During that session I was sitting at a hard table with two developers focusing on the game. At home playing Sunderfolk feels much more relaxed.

It’s been a busy year for games, and Sunderfolk hasn’t gotten much attention yet so here’s a quick overview. It’s like Dungeons & Dragons meets Jackbox with a touch of Redwall or The Secret of Nimh. When you start the game a QR code shows up on the screen and you and your friends scan it to join a lobby. From there your phone becomes your controller helping you play through the RPG campaign as one of six animal heroes.

Couch Co-Op: Where Comfort Meets Gameplay

Sunderfolk feels much more relaxing than D&D and Jackbox. With D&D you have to go to a friend's house sit at a table roll dice track numbers and sometimes do a character voice all while trying not to get pizza sauce on your sheet. Jackbox makes you think fast and be funny especially in games like Quiplash. Sunderfolk on the other hand is much simpler and less stressful.

Between missions you relax at the animal village Arden which is your team’s home base. You can chat with other players during quests but most of the time you are alone getting to know NPCs changing cards in your deck or buying items to prepare for battles. It’s interactive. but it feels more like casually playing on your phone while lounging on the couch rather than sitting at a table making sure your friends don't take your dice.

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Raising the Intensity Just a Bit

The combat is more intense because you have to choose the right attack card at the right time. I'm playing as a big polar bear character with cards that let me attack nearby enemies move further or draw attention while I move. My wife is playing a mage bird who uses mana to pull enemies in and attack them all at once. She can also teleport around the battlefield.

Deciding when to use certain moves and which character to protect requires some focus. In our last session we failed the same fight twice. However the way the game is designed makes failure feel less frustrating.

Sunderfolk works well because it gives you time to relax and explore the place that’s meant to be your home. Saving Arden feels meaningful because I get to spend time there. Honestly it feels just like relaxing on my couch.