11 Best Games Like Sunderfolk In 2026 for Party Tactics and Drama
If you enjoyed the strategic gameplay, magical world-building, and the thrill of sharing the adventure with friends, there are plenty of other great games like Sunderfolk worth exploring.
This iconic title has captured the hearts of RPG fans with its clever tactical combat, heartfelt storytelling, and unique couch co‑op experience using phones as controllers while you adventure across the magical and dangerous Sunderlands.
From deep, character-driven journeys to turn-based battles full of nuance and surprise, this list highlights titles that echo what makes Sunderfolk so memorable.
Let’s explore some of the best RPG experiences out there for fans looking to keep that spirit alive.
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Our Top Picks for Games Like Sunderfolk
If you’re here for games like Sunderfolk, you’ve got plenty of solid choices below, but these three are the easiest wins. Each one matches a different part of the magic: tactical combat that feels like solving a little puzzle, classic turn-based adventuring with a lovable crew vibe, and a progression/crafting-style loop that makes you want to experiment nonstop. Start here, and you’ll know exactly which direction you want to go next.
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019) – Tactical RPG of war, loyalty, and choice at a magical academy.
- Sea of Stars (2023) – Two warriors harness sun and moon magic to save their threatened world.
- Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (2023) – A young alchemist and friends explore mysteries and ancient dangers beyond home.
Don’t close the tab yet: this is just the top shelf. The complete list of games like Sunderfolk is waiting underneath, and it’s packed with choices for every mood: more strategy, more story, more crafting, more everything.
101 Best Games Like Sunderfolk for Tactical Brains
Not all these games support mobile devices, and none use your phone as a controller quite like Sunderfolk (that’s still rare among RPGs), but each offers something Sunderfolk fans will enjoy. Some titles might seem obvious picks; others might surprise you.
That said, grab a seat (and a few friends), and let’s dive into the best games like Sunderfolk today. Adventure awaits!
1. Fire Emblem: Three Houses [Best for Tactics and Bonds]
| Our score | 10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2019 |
| Creator/s | Developer: Intelligent Systems; Koei Tecmo (Kou Shibusawa); Publisher: Nintendo |
| Average playtime | ~49 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A tactics-RPG that mixes grid-based battles with monastery teaching and relationship-building |
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is one of those games that makes you go “okay, I get the hype” pretty fast. It even won Best Strategy Game and the Player’s Voice award at The Game Awards 2019, and honestly, it earned it.
You play as Byleth, a former mercenary who ends up teaching at Garreg Mach Monastery, and your first big choice is picking a house to lead: Black Eagles, Blue Lions, or Golden Deer. Each one feels different because the students, their drama, and even the bigger political mess behind them aren’t the same.
What I love is how the game’s split into two vibes. The academy phase is you coaching your crew, deciding what they study, and building bonds that actually matter later. Then the war phase hits and suddenly all those choices stop being chill monastery planning and turn into real consequences, harder battles, and story turns that get surprisingly intense.
Early on, focus on building a core squad instead of trying to level everyone equally. A few well-trained units with strong class paths and useful support bonuses will carry you way harder than a big roster of underleveled students.
Three Houses earns a spot among the best games like Sunderfolk because it cares about the same stuff: smart turns, clear roles, and units that actually rely on each other. The battles have that tabletop brain itch, where one bad placement can snowball fast. No co-op here, but the later maps with big packs and monster fights keep you thinking.
My Verdict: If you want tactics that actually punish sloppy moves plus a cast you’ll end up weirdly attached to, Three Houses rules. The academy stuff isn’t filler, it directly makes your battlefield life easier.
2. Sea of Stars [Best for Retro Turn-Based Adventure]
| Our score | 9.8
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| Platforms | Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Year of release | 2023 |
| Creator/s | Sabotage Studio |
| Average playtime | ~28 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A retro pixel-art RPG with timed-hit combat, seamless traversal and puzzles, and an optional co-op mode |
Sea of Stars, from Canadian indie developer Sabotage Studio, is a retro-inspired, turn-based role-playing game designed to modernize the classic RPG feel. Its art direction, fluid terrain, strategic combat, and immersive soundtrack offer a captivating experience.
The game won Best Indie Game at the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards and Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2023. Today, Sea of Stars has become one of the most celebrated indie games of the decade.
Treat timed hits and blocks like your main “stat.” If you nail the timing consistently, you’ll save healing items, win longer fights safely, and bosses won’t feel like damage sponges.
Following Valere and Zale, the Solstice Warriors use lunar and solar magic to stop the evil Fleshmancer. We follow our heroes on a story that takes us on a journey across diverse landscapes filled with themes of destiny and sacrifice. Fans of Sunderfolk will enjoy the heartfelt narrative within Sea of Stars, along with its strategic combat and nostalgic charm.
My Verdict: A clean, modern take on retro turn-based RPGs with snappy pacing and combat that stays interactive. It’s the rare nostalgia game that still respects your time.
3. Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key [Best for Cozy Crafting and Exploration]
| Our score | 9.5
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Windows PC |
| Year of release | 2023 |
| Creator/s | Developer: Gust; Publisher: Koei Tecmo |
| Average playtime | ~33.5 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | An alchemy-driven JRPG with a large seamless world map, craftable items that shape combat, and magic keys that unlock new exploration and battle options |
Developed by Gust, a division of Koei Tecmo Games (known for its impressive JRPGs).The previous Atelier games proved that the “Secret” storyline was intriguing for fans. That said, no one seemed to be shocked when the game began to sell incredibly well.
You play as a band of 11 characters led by the main protagonist, Reisalin “Ryza” Stout. The role-playing is deep in this game, as well as the relationships. The developers wanted to try something new with the map in this game. For the first time, the environment is composed of a singular map formed by interconnected areas, rather than being loaded with every transition.
When you unlock better traits and recipes, revisit your “old” bombs and support items and remake them. Upgraded traits scale hard, and a refreshed item set can spike your power more than a few levels ever will.
In the game, you’ll also get to use magic keys that are obtained throughout your playthrough. They can unlock new options and open up new areas to explore. Plus, the more you explore, the more rewards you’ll find to use against the monsters you battle. Oh yeah, there are somehow still more monsters to battle, but shhh…it’s a “secret.”
My Verdict: Cozy exploration and crafting that actually matters, because your best combat tools come from your own alchemy, not random drops. It’s chill, but it can get surprisingly crunchy if you lean into item builds.
4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [Best for Stylish Dark Fantasy]
| Our score | 9.3
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| Platforms | PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S |
| Year of release | 2025 |
| Creator/s | Developer: Sandfall Interactive; Publisher: Kepler Interactive |
| Average playtime | ~30–35 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A Belle Époque-inspired dark-fantasy RPG that pairs cinematic third-person presentation with turn-based combat |
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most visually stunning games in recent memory, developed by the French studio Sandfall Interactive. Emmanuel Macron even called it “a shining example of French audacity and creativity,” while its soundtrack topped Billboard’s charts during debut week.
The vibe is Belle Époque fantasy with a cracked mirror in front of it. Think late-1800s elegance, all velvet and gilded detail, except the world feels like it’s sliding out of reality as you move forward. That timeline flavor is everywhere in the designs, the architecture, the costumes, and even how dramatic everything feels without going full cartoon.
Combat is turn-based, but it’s not the nap-time kind. You’re planning turns, but you’re also timing dodges and parries like you’re in an action game, so fights stay tense instead of turning into a spreadsheet.
Don’t brute-force early fights. Use them to learn enemy attack tells and practice parries, it pays off way more than rushing damage.
Games like Clair Obscur are so easy to get lost in because they tempt you with lore breadcrumbs and weird little details around every corner, then reward you with fights that ask you to stay sharp. You’ll explore the atmosphere, then stick around because the combat keeps testing you.
My Verdict: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is stylish, punchy, and story-heavy in the best way. If you want Sunderfolk-adjacent tactics with a darker, more cinematic flavor, this is it.
5. Baldur’s Gate 3 [Best for D&D-Style Role-Play]
| Our score | 9.2
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| Platforms | Windows PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, macOS |
| Year of release | 2023 |
| Creator/s | Larian Studios |
| Average playtime | ~72 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A D&D 5e-based CRPG with highly reactive storytelling, turn-based tactical combat, and full co-op options that let a party tackle quests in countless ways |
Baldur’s Gate 3 feels like a D&D campaign where the game actually lets you be chaotic on purpose. You can talk your way into trouble, out of trouble, or sideways into a totally new problem just because you clicked the “wrong” dialogue line or moved one object in a room. It’s reactive in a way that makes experimenting genuinely fun, not just a gimmick.
Combat is turn-based and super “hands-on.” Positioning matters, height matters, shoving matters, and your party setup isn’t just about damage. You’ll win fights by controlling space, chaining effects, and using the environment like it’s part of your toolkit, not decoration.
Before big fights, split your party and start the encounter from stealth with everyone already in good spots (high ground, behind cover, melee near the squishies). That one minute of setup usually saves you multiple turns of scrambling.
It’s similar to Sunderfolk in tabletop logic: read the board, coordinate roles, set up combos, and accept that one weird move can change the whole round. BG3 is bigger and more open-ended, but the moment-to-moment planning, combo setups, and “okay, new plan” pivots feel very familiar. Co-op makes that overlap even stronger, especially when your friends improvise… aggressively.
My Verdict: It’s easy to see why people call BG3 one of the greatest RPGs ever made. If you like tactical turns, party synergy, and choices that actually stick, it’s a hard one to bounce off.
6. Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark [Best for Deep Class Builds]
| Our score | 9
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| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2019 |
| Creator/s | Developer: 6 Eyes Studio; Publisher: 1C Entertainment |
| Average playtime | ~35.5 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A Final Fantasy Tactics-style tactical RPG featuring deep class/job customization, challenging turn-based encounters, and extensive difficulty and build tweaking |
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is a standout tactical RPG from indie developer 6 Eyes Studio. It’s also available as a tablet app and plays surprisingly well on mobile devices, making it one of the best adventure games for fans who want to enjoy strategic play anywhere.
Players control Kyrie, an Arbiter in a fantasy world ruled by Immortals, and must navigate a conspiracy that tests their sense of duty and morality. The blend of rich storytelling, strategic turn-based combat, and class-based progression hooks players in and keeps them invested.
Specialize early. Build a clear tank + support core, and lean on debuffs and disables instead of trying to out-damage everything.
For fans of deep, turn-based role-playing games, Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark stands out as one of the best games like Sunderfolk. While it lacks the couch co-op and phone controller multiplayer that define Sunderfolk, it offers a similarly rewarding experience for anyone drawn to complex party-based combat and richly woven plots.
My Verdict: A build-lover’s tactics RPG with tough fights and tons of customization. Great if you’re here for Sunderfolk-style turn planning.
7. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy [Best for VN-Style Tactical Drama]
| Our score | 8.7
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PC |
| Year of release | 2025 |
| Creator/s | Developers: Too Kyo Games, Media.Vision; Publisher: Aniplex (Steam) / XSEED Games (Nintendo Switch, North America) |
| Average playtime | ~31.5 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A hybrid visual novel and tactical RPG built around 100 in-game days, where choices drive branching paths while you defend the academy in squad-based battles |
Co-developed by Too Kyo Games and veteran studio Media.Vision (Wild Arms, Valkyria Chronicles, Digimon Story), this game blends tactical combat with visual novel storytelling, offering a unique experience over 100 in-game days.
You play as Takumi Sumino, an ordinary teen thrust into a high-stakes mission when monsters overrun his home. He joins 14 other students at a defense academy, forming a party that must survive daily attacks.
The story explores mature themes, such as psychological strain and the impact of war on youth, with branching paths and multiple endings shaped by your decisions.
Treat the 100-day loop like a checklist. Prioritize survivability upgrades and mobility tools first, they save runs later.
As one of the year’s standout simulation games, The Hundred Line stands out among games like Sunderfolk for its emotional storytelling and satisfying strategic gameplay.
My Verdict: It’s part visual novel, part tactical defense game, and it commits hard to both. If you like strategy mixed with branching story choices and character drama, it’s a solid pick.
8. Legrand Legacy: Tale of the Fatebounds [Best for Classic JRPG Nostalgia]
| Our score | 8.4
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| Platforms | Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One |
| Year of release | 2018 (PC) / 2019 (consoles) |
| Creator/s | Developer: Semisoft; Publisher: Another Indie (consoles) / SEMISOFT (Steam) |
| Average playtime | ~26.5 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A classic JRPG love letter that spices up turn-based combat with quick-time events, tactical positioning, and a weapons-triangle system for matchup strategy |
Described by developers as “a nostalgic love letter to classic JRPGs,” Legrand Legacy aims to recreate the charm of older turn-based role-playing games. It succeeds in many ways, with quick-time events, tactical combat reminiscent of Final Fantasy VIII and The Legend of the Dragoon, and a weapons triangle system similar to what you see in the Fire Emblem series.
Honestly, developers can never win with some critics, even with a brilliant game concept. Despite mixed reviews, fans appreciate its depth and nostalgia-fueled ideology.
Use the weapons-triangle properly and swap gear before bosses. Matchups matter more than tiny stat bumps.
You play as Finn, a slave with amnesia who discovers powerful abilities during a gladiatorial fight. Rescued by a mysterious group, he embarks on a quest across the war-torn land of Legrand, uncovering his past and realizing he’s central to the fate of the realm.
Its blend of JRPG themes, strategy, and storytelling makes Legrand Legacy one of the best games like Sunderfolk.
My Verdict: Legrand Legacy is a cozy throwback with a few modern twists, especially in combat. If you want classic JRPG vibes but still like having a bit of tactical thinking each turn, it’s worth a look.
9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim [Best for Open-World Freedom]
| Our score | 8.2
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| Platforms | Windows, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Year of release | 2011 |
| Creator/s | Developer: Bethesda Game Studios; Publisher: Bethesda Softworks |
| Average playtime | ~35 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A massive open-world sandbox RPG that lets you freely build your Dragonborn through exploration, faction quests, and highly moddable character progression |
Few games have matched the cultural impact of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The game won nearly every video game award it was nominated for, from Spike TV Video Game Awards to GameSpot Awards, making it one of the best-selling and most influential open-world RPGs ever.
In Skyrim, you play as the Dragonborn, a mortal born with the soul of a dragon, tasked with defeating Alduin, the prophesied world-ending dragon. Along the way, you navigate a civil war, explore ancient ruins, master powerful Shouts, and build your legend in a vast, open-world setting. Choices shape everything. Friends can become enemies, and your decisions deeply impact the world around you.
Don’t spread perks everywhere early on. Commit to one main combat style (1H+shield, stealth archer, destruction mage, etc.) and one support lane (smithing, enchanting, alchemy). You’ll feel powerful much sooner and stop running out of damage.
Skyrim stands out for its rich lore, tactical depth, and expansive role-playing options, with over 700 quests in the complete game. While originally single-player, mods on PC introduced a sketchy multiplayer option. FYI: The Elder Scrolls Online is a better fit if multiplayer is your focus. If you’re into deep exploration, tactical combat, and unforgettable fantasy worlds, Skyrim remains one of the best games like Sunderfolk available today.
My Verdict: Skyrim is still the ultimate “walk in a direction and get distracted for three hours” RPG. If you want freedom, exploration, and build-your-own-adventure energy, it’s hard to beat.
10. Greedfall [Best for Faction Politics]
| Our score | 8
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| Platforms | Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Year of release | 2019 (initial) / 2021 (PS5 & Series X/S version) |
| Creator/s | Developer: Spiders; Publisher: Focus Home Interactive (now Focus Entertainment) |
| Average playtime | ~23 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A choice-driven action RPG focused on diplomacy and faction politics in a colonial fantasy setting, with companions and consequences that reshape the story |
Greedfall blends the depth of a classic role-playing game with action-adventure mechanics reminiscent of Skyrim and Assassin’s Creed, all while letting you play as a diplomat. It first launched on last-gen consoles in 2019 to mixed reviews but was significantly improved in a remastered version for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Set in an 18th-century-inspired world, you play as De Sardet, sent to the magical island of Teer Fradee hoping to find a cure for a deadly plague. The journey involves navigating alliances between native tribes and colonial factions, with player choices heavily influencing the political landscape, relationships, and the fate of the island.
Watch faction reputation and do companion quests early. They unlock better outcomes and strong perks.
With its emphasis on diplomacy, exploration, and strategic decision-making, Greedfall stands out as one of the best games like Sunderfolk for players who enjoy rich worldbuilding and RPG themes centered around power, loyalty, and consequence.
My Verdict: GreedFall is for players who enjoy politics, factions, and decisions with consequences more than perfect combat flow. If you like the social strategy side of Sunderfolk, this one hits a similar note in a more traditional RPG format.
11. Commandos: Origins [Best for Stealth Squad Strategy]
| Our score | 7.8
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| Platforms | Windows PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One |
| Year of release | 2025 |
| Creator/s | Developer: Claymore Game Studios; Publisher: Kalypso Media |
| Average playtime | ~25–35 hours (main story) |
| Unique features | A stealth-focused real-time tactics game where each specialist has unique tools, supported by a planning mode to queue coordinated actions and 2-player co-op |
Commandos: Origins gave me that same satisfying team-synergy feeling I love in Sunderfolk, just in a very different setting. Instead of cozy fantasy vibes, you are running stealth missions in WWII, and every character feels like a tool you need to combine the right way. You’re swapping between roles, setting up little combos, and solving situations as a group, not as one unstoppable main character, which is why it earns a spot among the top WWII games for tactics fans.
The core loop is pure tactical stealth joy. Scout patrol routes, distract a guard, sneak in, clean up quietly, and move on. When a plan works, it feels amazing. When it doesn’t, it usually feels like you got greedy or rushed, not like the game robbed you. It’s the kind of game that makes you slow down and think, and that is exactly why it clicks.
Do a quick recon lap first. Watch patrols for a full cycle, tag key enemies, and plan your route before you commit. It saves you a lot of messy reloads.
Commandos: Origins can be tense and a bit unforgiving if you try to speedrun it, but that tension is the point. The levels are basically puzzle boxes, and the fun is finding a clean solution with the team you have. If Sunderfolk’s tactical teamwork was your thing, this one will click too, just swap adventuring for sneaking.
My Verdict: A smart, satisfying stealth tactics game that rewards patience and good squad coordination. If you liked Sunderfolk for the party synergy and problem-solving, Commandos: Origins is a solid pick.
My Overall Verdict
All the games on this list hit for different reasons, but if you’re craving that Sunderfolk feeling right now, here’s the shortcut. Pick what you miss most and start there.
For tactics and character bonds → Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Grid fights are tight, and the monastery phase makes your crew feel like a real team, not just units on a board.
For retro turn-based comfort → Sea of Stars. Classic JRPG vibes, but the timed hits keep battles active and the pacing doesn’t drag.
For cozy crafting that actually powers you up → Atelier Ryza 3. Alchemy is your real progression system, so exploration and crafting directly translate into stronger combat options.
For stylish dark fantasy and “timed” turn-based combat → Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Belle Époque flair plus parry and dodge timing makes fights feel sharp, not sleepy.
For D&D-style choices and co-op chaos → Baldur’s Gate 3. Party roles, positioning, and truly reactive quests make it the closest thing to a tabletop session on a screen.
No wrong choice here, just different flavors of strategy. Grab the one that fits your mood, and if it clicks, come back for another.
FAQs
The quick answer to this is Fire Emblem: Three Houses. If you enjoy Sunderfolk for its character-driven storytelling, tactical combat, and relationship-building mechanics, you’ll find a lot to love in Fire Emblem.
The answer to this will depend on who you ask. However, the official term for a game like Sunderfolk is a “tactical turn-based RPG.” I feel the “tactical” part is pretty important here.
Of course, smartphone controllers for those playing on their phones still set Sunderfolk apart in this space.
Sunderfolk supports up to four players in classic couch co‑op style, with each person using their phone or tablet as a controller. Best of all, only one copy of the game is needed – your friends can jump in without buying anything.
