Herdling Reviews
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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 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.
Herdling is more about the journey than it is the destination. A humble game, the premise of herding a fictional animal through tumultuous conditions proves to be an excellent idea.
Rushing down a hill with your herd feels exhilarating, if a bit unwieldy. When art direction, music, and gameplay come together, Herdling is an exercise of mindful stimulation.
Okomotive shapes a journey deliciously designed to generate a connection with your flock, to blur the boundaries between guide and guided, between giving and receiving care.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Okomotive's Journey-like adventure game delivers a strong emotional impact thanks to its memorable furry friends and a unique core concept.
Beautiful in every way, Herdling is a short and sweet adventure that will pull at your heartstrings.
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.
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.
Herdling is a small experience in scale but enormous in emotion. Its wordless narrative, the connection with the Calicorns, and the minimalist beauty of its landscapes make it a game that's more felt than played. It's not a title for everyone, but those who connect with its concept will remember it as a unique experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Herdling delights when its setting and music come together to convey calm and freedom in a unique journey of herding creatures, but these strengths do not sustain the experience. The gameplay is shallow and lacking in variety, with simplistic obstacles and puzzles that hinder rather than add value. The focus is on atmosphere and emotions, yet the lack of significant narrative elements and the weak connection with the Calicorns make it hard to engage. In the end, the game offers beautiful landscapes and memorable moments, but without the depth needed to make the journey truly unforgettable.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Herdling is not a flawless game. Some may find it slow, others may wish for more gameplay depth. But for those open to its pace, it’s a beautiful, heartfelt journey. It’s a game about trust, companionship, and moving forward together, even when the path is hard. For me, it’s an easy recommendation. Maybe not for everyone, but absolutely for anyone who wants a game that speaks to the heart rather than the hands.
Herdling is an emotional journey about the bond between living beings, offering players the opportunity to develop actual connections to the charming calicorns in a silent adventure all about working together to succeed. It proportionally delivers heart-pounding stress and soaring happiness by making you fall in love with its fictional creatures. Calicorns are cute, video games are good, and Herdling is a journey that I could never regret embarking on.
Herdling is an example of an artistic work that aims to engage the player with more than just gameplay. It’s a very short title that manages to impress with beautiful scenery, excellent music, and the atmosphere and immersion of the Swiss mountain landscapes. However, strong competition may prevent the game from breaking through to contemporary audiences, who are content with their love for competing title — Journey.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Herdling is an original and emotional experience that transforms herding into a silent and profound adventure. The bond with the calicorns, the visual beauty, and the soundtrack make every moment matter.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Like the Calicorns, Herdling is a bit slow to start, but it gathers momentum throughout until the game reaches its top speed in its final chapters, delivering a satisfying ending that neatly punctuates Herdling’s themes of reconnecting with history, culture, and the world around us.
Herdling tells a poignant tale using simple mechanics, alternating light environmental puzzles with more treacherous gameplay. Some players may find the potential for animal harm in the game upsetting, but the emotional core of its story would ring hollow without adversity.