Herdling Reviews
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
Herdling puts the player on the role of a guide for mysterious beings that are on the border of fantasy and arouses curiosity in knowing up to which point the protagonist is before something real and whether they understand the weight of their role. However, in the end, the developers managed to make it so that the player wishes to reach the end for the sake of the calicorns.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Herdling is a magical game about some really unique creatures, and I loved guiding them.
"Herdling" is fantastic. It's not for everyone, but anyone who embraces the premise and the emotional journey will have an unforgettable experience. The gameplay is very simple and never too challenging. However, it feels great to lead your herd through epic or dangerous moments, and thanks to a relatively short playing time, it never gets boring. A magnificent soundtrack and beautiful visuals perfectly round out the emotional experience.
Review in German | Read full review
Herdling offers interesting mechanics and a fantastic soundtrack on any platform. It also has a fantastic style that should be a strength, but the Switch version in particular looks so washed out that it dulls the appeal of this part of the game. I’m not saying to avoid playing Herdling, but if you have any other options, I’d definitely recommend checking it out on another platform.
I don’t even have anything negative to say about the game, as I loved every minute of it and will happily replay it for the remaining trophies I missed for being a clumsy guide for my calicorns in certain areas. It’s just the perfect kind of indie game that I needed right now and I’m glad that Okomotive has continued to see enough success to keep making games in these terrible times.
Herdling shows that games can have an effect without having complicated systems, deep stories, or intense battles. It’s a quiet, emotional journey that rewards you for being patient, paying attention, and understanding.
Herdling is a unique game that simplifies things to make them more transparent, but it also uncovers layers of emotion. It's not about getting better at the game or grinding for stats; it's about the connections you make, the duties you take on, and the joy you get from helping others stay safe.
Despite frustrations with the slow-moving herd, Herdling is still worth trying if you enjoy visual story-telling and atmospheric games. That said, if you can play anywhere but Switch, do so.
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
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.