Herdling Reviews
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.
Herdling is a special experience, full of emotion and beauty.
I went into Herdling fully prepared to love it based on the developer’s previous work and applying that foundation towards a game about shepherding a pack of muppet elks across various biomes, but a lack of any real attempt at subversion, surprise, or strife makes the game feel disappointingly toothless. There’s still a lot to enjoy about the game, especially on the presentation end of things, but nothing that’s likely to stick with you for longer than it takes to play through it.
Herdling is a very emotional and joyful journey that will just warm your heart, if you let it.
In Herdling, the focus is on the experience rather than the gameplay. Navigating the herd through the enchanted landscape captivates with its visuals and sound rather than complex mechanics. The game offers little more than occasional obstacles to avoid and minimal switch puzzles.
Review in German | Read full review