Ethan Crossfield 
Secret Door’s fantasy tactical RPG Sunderfolk is the first confirmed game for Xbox Free Play Days this week. The 2025 release will be available from August 13 through August 16, although access is limited to players with Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate benefits. The short promotion gives eligible Xbox users a chance to test one of the year’s more distinctive co-op role-playing experiences before Microsoft reveals the rest of the lineup.
What happened
Sunderfolk will join Xbox Free Play Days for a limited four-day window beginning August 13. Secret Door confirmed the game’s inclusion ahead of Xbox’s expected announcement of additional titles. Free Play Days offerings vary: some are available to all Xbox users, while others require a Game Pass subscription, and the promotion can include either full games or shorter trials. Sunderfolk falls into the subscription-based category.
The promotion is particularly notable because Sunderfolk is a recent release rather than an older catalog title. The fantasy tactical RPG launched in 2025 and currently holds a 93% Very Positive rating on Steam from nearly 2,000 users. That response does not guarantee that every Xbox player will enjoy it, but it gives the trial a strong starting point.
Why it matters
Sunderfolk is built around the feel of a tabletop game night. Players enter a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, select a class, and follow a story centered on protecting their town. Its most unusual feature is the control system: phones act as controllers for the main game, helping the experience resemble a shared tabletop session rather than a conventional co-op video game.
That design makes the Free Play Days window more valuable than a routine promotional trial. Players who enjoy fantasy role-playing games or tabletop adventures can quickly determine whether Secret Door’s approach works for their group. The game has also received additional content since launch, including new classes, giving returning players more reason to revisit it.
The limited access does come with an important restriction. Players without Essential, Premium, or Ultimate Game Pass benefits should not assume they can download and play Sunderfolk during the event. Those who enjoy the trial may also have an opportunity to buy the game at a lower price, as Free Play Days promotions are commonly paired with discounts, though the source does not confirm a specific Sunderfolk price.
What to watch next
Xbox typically places roughly three to five games in a Free Play Days promotion, so Sunderfolk is unlikely to be the only featured title for this period. More games are expected to be announced on August 13, with most of the confirmed promotion running through August 16. Their availability requirements may differ, making it worth checking each listing rather than dismissing the event as a Game Pass-only promotion.
For Secret Door, the event offers exposure to Xbox players who may not have encountered Sunderfolk’s phone-based control scheme. For players, the key question is simple: can the game turn a living room into a convincing tabletop party? The trial provides a low-commitment way to find out.
Key details for Xbox players
- Sunderfolk is available through Xbox Free Play Days from August 13 to August 16.
- Access requires an Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate benefit.
- The game uses phones as controllers for its tabletop-inspired co-op format.
- The fantasy RPG features anthropomorphic characters, class selection, and a town-saving story.
- Additional post-launch content includes new classes.
Expert View
Sunderfolk is a smart first reveal for this Free Play Days lineup because its biggest selling point is experiential rather than purely visual. A short, accessible trial can show groups why the phone-controller system works, while also filtering out players who want a more traditional tactical RPG. The promotion will not replace a full purchase, but it gives Secret Door a meaningful chance to expand the game’s audience on Xbox.
