Sunderfolk's Town of Arden Explained

Tabletop-inspired tactical RPG Sunderfolk tasks its players with defending Arden, an underground town empowered by the magical Brightstone. Arden is filled with useful facilities that players can visit and upgrade, as well as many animal NPCs they can get to know—and even romance. In addition to completing missions and vanquishing foes, Sunderfolk's players will spend time in Arden obtaining new equipment, learning about the Sunderlands, or simply chatting with their NPC friends.

The Best War Games spoke to Secret Door studio head Chris Sigaty, Sunderfolk game director Erin Marek, narrative designer Neo Zhang, and character designer Xavier Gordon about the town of Arden and the role it plays in the game. Sigaty described Arden as "a very special part of the game" and compared it to "a living diorama" that players can step into. As the game ' s hub world, Arden is visually stunning and mechanically rich, with many places to visit and tasks to perform.

Arden Is Filled With Useful Facilities

Within the town of Arden, Zhang explained, there are ten facilities that players can upgrade using the gold and trinkets they acquire by completing missions and defeating enemies in strategic turn-based combat. Some of the locations in Arden allow players to purchase new items and equipment or upgrade their existing ones.

The Workshop, run by Evelyn the puffin, where players can enhance or upgrade trinkets.
The Smithy, run by Zihao the pangolin, is where players can obtain weapons.
The Tavern, run by Sinclair the mole, is where players can eat meals that provide combat bonuses.
The Market, where characters from outside Arden stay, and players can purchase trinkets.
The Oracle, a boat where players can obtain new cards for their Fate Deck.
The Clothier, where players can customize their clothing with a variety of styles and colors.
The Temple, run by the Grove Tender, is where players can learn the history of Arden.
The Gate, run by Treak and Chirp, which keeps outside threats away from the town.
The Post Office, run by Hermea the hummingbird, where players can send each other gold and items.
The Bridge lets players track which characters they have met and their affinity levels with them.

A Cozy Town Filled With Memorable NPCs

In addition to its many facilities, Arden is also home to some adorable animal NPCs whom players can get to know. These include the shopkeepers mentioned above as well as a hare who has forgotten their own name, a dancer dog, and many more. Marek described the residents of Arden as "...colorful and varied. We really tried to think about various archetypes and match them with animals that symbolically fit," she explained. Character designer Xavier Gordon also summarized the team's philosophy when it came to designing the many memorable NPCs who inhabit the town:

"Every NPC in town has a lot going on, and you can learn more about them by talking to them. We hope seeing their hopes, dreams, and quirks will make them and Arden feel like a living, breathing place that players want to stay and defend."

Between its many useful facilities and NPCs who players can grow close to throughout their journey, Arden is a beautifully designed hub with a cozy small-town vibe that will help Sunderfolk's players truly relax between their sometimes-stressful battles. As players progress through the game, they will learn more and more about Arden and its residents until the bustling underground town truly feels like home.

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