While reviews are pouring in for the soon-to-be-released Clair Obscur (as I write this, there’s about an hour left before early access begins—I’ve already pre-installed it via Game Pass, and yes, it’s available on Xbox Game Pass, I want to highlight two RPGs that might fly under the radar due to this major launch.
The first is Sunderfolk, a tactical RPG that leans heavily into co-op as its main strength. That said, I’m not entirely sold on the fact that it supports cross-play with mobile devices. Still, it looks like a highly inspired title, both visually and in terms of gameplay.
The story takes place in the magical world of the Sunderlands, where players work together to defend the village of Arden from creeping corruption. It’s voiced entirely by Anjali Bhimani (known from Overwatch and Critical Role). It gives the game a unified, storybook-like feel without taking itself too seriously.
Sunderfolk is a tactical RPG that wants to recreate the vibe of a game night with friends—minus the setup and scheduling nightmares. Developed by Secret Door, a studio formed by former Blizzard developers, and published by Dreamhaven, Sunderfolk just launched on PC and consoles, bringing its blend of tabletop-style strategy and digital convenience to a wide audience.
The twist? You don’t need a bunch of controllers. Each player uses their phone or tablet as a controller via a free companion app. Scan a QR code on the main screen, and you’re in—ready to move your character, manage inventory, and play skill cards directly from your device. You can choose from six anthropomorphic heroes: Arcanist, Bard, Berserker, Pyromancer, Ranger, or Rogue. Each one plays differently, with unique skill cards that define their role in combat while deck building lets you customize your approach, whether you want to go full DPS, support your crew, or mix it up.
The story takes place in the magical world of the Sunderlands, where players work together to defend the village of Arden from creeping corruption. It’s voiced entirely by Anjali Bhimani (known from Overwatch and Critical Role), who brings energy and charm to every scene. It gives the game a unified, storybook-like feel without taking itself too seriously.
Multiplayer is streamlined and supports up to four players locally or remotely. Whether you’re sharing a couch or sharing a screen online, the experience is consistent—accessible without being shallow. The game promises not to overload you with systems, but it’s still deep enough to scratch the tactical itch. At $49.99, Sunderfolk feels like a good pick for friends looking to replace (or revive) their old RPG nights.
The other title, which, unlike Sunderfolk, I’ve personally played, is The Hundred Line – Last Defense Academy. It’s a JRPG developed by a highly acclaimed team (you can find my preview of the game here), but what should really convince you to give it a try is its resemblance to the gameplay dynamics found in titles like Persona and Shin Megami Tensei—all while featuring a tactical combat system.
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is a genre-blending experiment from Too Kyo Games and Media.Vision, directed by Kazutaka Kodaka (Danganronpa) and Kotaro Uchikoshi (Zero Escape). Available now on PC and Nintendo Switch, it fuses tactical RPG combat with a branching visual novel narrative, challenging players to survive 100 days of escalating chaos.
You play as Takumi Sumino, an ordinary teen whose life is upended when grotesque creatures attack Tokyo. After receiving mysterious powers from a mascot-like entity named Sirei, Takumi is transported to the Last Defense Academy—a surreal military school where he and 14 other students must fend off “School Invaders” for 100 days to prevent humanity’s extinction. The setup is classic Kodaka/Uchikoshi: high-concept, high-stakes, and brimming with existential dread.
Combat unfolds on grid-based battlefields, where each student has unique abilities and weapons powered by “Hemoanima,” a supernatural energy. The twist? Death isn’t permanent. Fallen characters revive between waves, and their deaths fuel a “Voltage” meter that unlocks powerful special moves. Between battles, the game shifts into visual novel mode. During “Free Time,” you can bond with classmates, train in VR simulations, craft gifts, or explore the wasteland surrounding the academy. These interactions deepen character relationships and influence the story’s direction. With 100 possible endings, your choices carry significant weight, and the narrative branches in unexpected ways.
Visually, the game sports character designs by Rui Komatsuzaki (Danganronpa), blending anime aesthetics with a dystopian flair. Critics have praised The Hundred Line for its ambitious storytelling and innovative mechanics. MonsterVine describes it as “an excellent mix of tactical RPG action and visual novel goodness,” while Inverse calls it “one of the most unique RPGs” in recent memory.
Priced at $59.99, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy offers a substantial experience that blends tactical combat with a rich, branching narrative, and I think you are going to love it.
