Herdling Reviews
Short, sweet, and utterly charming, Herdling's evocative beauty more than makes up for its superficial gameplay.
Okomotive's Journey-like adventure game delivers a strong emotional impact thanks to its memorable furry friends and a unique core concept.
Herdling is a cosy, heartfelt trek that feels like a breath of fresh air and its stunning atmosphere and soundtrack do much of the heavy lifting. Whilst the game rarely stumbles, it seldom soars and often gets stuck behind janky controls or disappointing performance. Still, for all its rough edges, Herdling is a memorable adventure. If you're chasing the next grand expedition, this game might fall short, but if it's vibes you seek, look no further than this herd of lovable, clumsy beasts.
I like the idea of Herdling and for the most part it does work well, trotting along behind the beasts is wonderfully relaxing. The herding mechanism lets things down, as does the repetition of the dangers, especially when the game is only four hours long. One to play on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Herdling is a fairly linear game that wraps up in about six hours. Despite its relatively short playtime, Herdling does a decent job at capturing the unspoken bond that forms between a herder and their animals, while showcasing the many facets that come with the role.
Beautiful in every way, Herdling is a short and sweet adventure that will pull at your heartstrings.
Overall, Herdling is a wonderful adventure. It's a little rough around the edges in terms of framerates and hit detection, but it presents a unique outing that captures the loneliness of a child and the herd he inherits and protects. If you're after a sweet journey set among lavish landscapes, this one is worth checking out.
Herdling continues Okamotive's reputation for unorthodox titles that resonate in unique ways. Desolate and survival-driven, yet warm and freeing, it's an adventure unlike any other despite the occasional hiccups.
Herdling is a captivating, albeit flawed experience that never has any low points, but never hits any genuine highs either.
Herdling's brisk walk through a wild world manages to charm from beginning to end, with just enough drama and beauty to make waving a makeshift cane at a horde of hairy beasts into an unforgettable journey.
Herdling is not the game to convert those averse to walking simulators: It can drag, and has a confusing control setup. But it is also beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures, and that’s all done without a single word spoken.
Despite its simplicity, Herdling is a truly emotional experience.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Go where the wind takes you..
It rarely gives you moments to form any specific attachments to its characters. The world certainly has some cool setpieces accompanied by a soaring soundtrack, but at the end of the day I struggled to care. There is still a well crafted world and some interesting mechanics at play, but the storytelling causes it to fall short of the genre greats.
Though Herdling won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I love the plot, the atmosphere, and the straightforward ideas. Moreover, the game forces you to care for your herd of Calicorns. Accordingly, losing one beast is surprisingly upsetting, and you’ll take it personally if anything happens. Though this takes no time to complete, it is an excellent indie game. Therefore, I suggest you play it on Game Pass or pick up a copy from the Xbox Store.
Herdling is a unique, meditative adventure that blends herding mechanics, puzzles, and exploration into a memorable alpine odyssey. Its accessibility features, calming pace, and emotional storytelling make it a standout for players seeking something different. While it has technical hiccups and limited replay value, the journey itself is worth experiencing for its atmosphere, charm, and the quiet satisfaction of guiding your herd through a world stitched with silence and snow.
Herdling is a contemplative journey that stands out for its visual storytelling and the growing bond between a simple shepherd and his improvised flock, a game that will stay with you not for its gameplay, but for the emotional experience it builds in this relationship between humans and animals.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Herdling is a stylistically assured game that tells a compelling, wordless story in about three hours, a length that feels just right for its content. While its core herd-commanding mechanics are in need of more polish and it lacks a unique selling point, it remains an enjoyable journey I would gladly experience for the first time again.
Review in German | Read full review
Despite its mechanical simplicity, slow pacing, and limited gameplay evolution, Herdling stands out as an indie that leaves a lasting emotional impact—thanks to Okomotive’s beautiful audiovisual storytelling, its touching journey of guiding creatures to safety, and impresses not through mechanics, but through heart.
Review in Dutch | Read full review