Herdling

"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 …"

"Short, sweet, and utterly charming, Herdling&s;s evocative beauty more than makes up for its superficial gameplay."

"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 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."

"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, …"

"Herdling is a beautiful atmospheric adventure that I would highly recommend, especially to anyone who’s a fan of games similar to Journey. Despite having a few slow moments, I think this game is stunning and an experience I’ll remember for …"

"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. …"

"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 …"

""Herdling" is fantastic. It&s;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 …"

"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 …"

"If you’re hunting for adrenaline, Herdling won’t scratch that itch. There are no boss fights, no skill trees, no leaderboard climbs. It’s slow, contemplative, and fragile. But if you’re open to games that feel more like journeys than challenges, this …"

"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;s more felt than played. It&s;s not a title for …"

"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, …"

"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;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. …"

"Herdling is a magical game about some really unique creatures, and I loved guiding them."

"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 …"

"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 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 …"

"Herdling is a captivating, albeit flawed experience that never has any low points, but never hits any genuine highs either."

"Herdling boasts an excellent soundtrack and a completely unique shepherding premise, but only delivers upon the more surface-level aspects of its promise."

"While it makes for a beautiful and delightfully calm adventure, there isn’t quite enough gameplay present to make it more broadly appealing"

"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&s;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 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 …"

"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 …"

"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."

"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 …"

"Okomotive&s;s Journey-like adventure game delivers a strong emotional impact thanks to its memorable furry friends and a unique core concept."

"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 …"

"Herdling is a unique game that simplifies things to make them more transparent, but it also uncovers layers of emotion. It&s;s not about getting better at the game or grinding for stats; it&s;s about the connections you make, the duties …"

"Herdling continues Okamotive&s;s reputation for unorthodox titles that resonate in unique ways. Desolate and survival-driven, yet warm and freeing, it&s;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 …"

"A bitesize indie adventure guiding a herd of fictional creatures back to their home atop a mountain, Herdling has charm in spades, and a wonderful minimal design that prioritises experience over everything."

"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 …"

"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."