Blending the feel of a tabletop RPG with the accessibility of a couch-based party game, Sunderfolk carves out a unique niche in the co-op space. Developed by Secret Door and published by Dreamhaven, it’s a tactical role-playing experience designed first and foremost to be enjoyed with friends. On PlayStation 5, it’s a technically solid outing – though it’s the mobile-phone-as-controller system and group-driven gameplay that define its appeal more than technical prowess.
The premise is simple but inviting. Players are drawn into the Sunderlands, a magical world threatened by creeping danger, and tasked with rebuilding a fragile village hub while adventuring through turn-based battles. What sets Sunderfolk apart narratively isn’t the scope or originality of its lore – because the story hits mostly familiar fantasy beats – but how it supports the communal nature of play. Your band of heroes includes genre archetypes with light twists, from spellcasters and rogues to bards and berserkers, each offering gameplay variety that enhances cooperative strategy.
Combat feels pleasantly tactical without being bogged down in complexity. Turns are handled through skill cards selected via the mobile app, with each player managing their own private “hand” on their smartphone. The card-based format keeps actions snappy and makes learning the ropes surprisingly intuitive, especially for newcomers who might be daunted by the thought of classic CRPG interfaces. The simplicity does have a trade-off – players craving deep character builds or advanced strategy might find the tactical layer a bit too shallow after a while.
Using your phone as a controller sounds gimmicky at first, but in practice it works remarkably well. The companion app functions as both rulebook and inventory screen, which streamlines the experience and cuts down on menu-hopping. It does occasionally stumble, particularly when players accidentally swipe the wrong way, but overall, it’s an effective solution that supports quick onboarding and shared screen play.
The core loop of questing, returning to town and upgrading evokes a board game rhythm that suits the game’s pace. Arden, the village hub, grows as you invest in vendors and forge relationships with NPCs, though these upgrades are more functional than emotional. There’s some missed opportunity for deeper storytelling here; NPCs are serviceable but not especially memorable, and narrative events rarely leave a lasting impression.
Visually, Sunderfolk leans into a vibrant and stylized look that complements its fantasy tone. Character animations are expressive and the environments colorful, if not particularly diverse. Audio work is similarly competent – music is charming, if a little repetitive over long sessions, and the sound design does enough to bring the game’s encounters to life without standing out too strongly.
Where Sunderfolk shines most is in its dedication to accessibility and social play. It’s one of the rare RPGs that removes the barriers for couch co-op by not requiring extra controllers or game copies, which makes it ideal for families, casual video game players, or tabletop fans looking for a digital fix.
For solo players, the charm wears thinner, even though a single player option is there. However, without friends on the couch and people to interact with, the pace becomes sluggish and the app loses its purpose. And while some tactical RPG fans might miss the mechanical depth of more advanced titles, Sunderfolk’s strength is how effectively it engages and invites everyone to the table – even those who don’t usually play games.
On PS5, the performance is smooth and load times are minimal, helping keep the focus on the shared experience. In the end, Sunderfolk may not be the deepest RPG around, but it delivers something far more rare: a joyful, collaborative game night built around accessibility, cooperation, and clever design choices that put (real life) player connection front and center.
Score: 8.1/10
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