Sunderfolk, Dreamhavens First Game, Finally Revealed

The brand new studio Dreamhaven was previously in the news because it was launched by the previous president and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, Mike Morhaime. But, with the latest reveal of the first game the company has been producing, Sunderfolk, it’s clear that they aren’t all bark and no bite.

Sunderfolk is the first game from Secretdoor, one of Dreamhaven’s two internal studios. It presents a unique take on tactical turn-based RPGs, with a greater focus on collaborative local co-op that can’t be found elsewhere.

The focus on local co-op, where everyone uses their phones to interact with what is happening on screen, combines elements of turn-based RPGs, deck building, and board games to make a collaborative, almost DND-like experience we’re all suddenly eager to get our hands on.

A Game Powered by Each Player’s Mobile Device

Sunderfolk’s primary goal is to be a collaborative tactical RPG rooted in local play and mobile devices. While many people like to scoff at games that make us use our phones to control what’s happening, in Sunderfolk, it makes a lot of sense.

Unlike other games that use your phone, there’s more information displayed through the mobile device than you’d expect. Everyone has a unique class and abilities, and mobile devices allow them to access this depth of information at their own volition.

While some may say the mechanics feel rather surface-level, that’s exactly what many of us want. The game allows gamers and non-gamers alike to bridge the gap, providing the experience of a board game in the shoes of a video game.

That said, Sunderfolk has many elements that will please long-time turn-based RPG fans, delivering gameplay you’d like to see from something of its caliber.

What Sunderfolk Has To Offer

Like a DND game, each player picks a class with unique abilities to play through a campaign filled with missions and stories. Using traditional DND classes like Bard, Berserker, Rogue, and Pyromancer, the universe is in place with other conventional RPG experiences.

The gameplay trailer shows off many player abilities and how you customize your build as you play and level up, creating a “path that is uniquely yours.” Specific skills like berserkers throwing allies into battle and bards luring enemies to fall into pits are great examples of what some classes have to offer.

Another exciting aspect is how Sunderfolk allows players to interact with the world between missions. Nothing much has been said about the story, and all the latest reveals have been fairly gameplay-heavy. However, there are still hints towards dialogue and story segments, likely used to compel players forward through missions.

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When players enter towns, there is a system where everyone roams around, upgrading, buying, and selling things through their phones. This allows for downtime between missions, where you can focus on customizing your character and build.

The combat looks relatively standard, but using the screen as a board and phones as the pieces to control moves and abilities is interesting. With some classes being more accessible and easy to use and others being more complex, it’s clear that some depth is lying under the surface in Sunderfolk.

Secretdoor will share a lot more about Sunderfolk in the coming months, and for those of us excited about the project, we can expect a release sometime in 2025.

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