Review: Herdling (Nintendo Switch) – Pure Nintendo
Herdling is an indie title for the Nintendo Switch that involves shepherding large, furry creatures through various terrain to deliver them safely to their homeland. If that sounds like a sweet premise, you’re absolutely right. It’s a short outing comprising a lighthearted journey through sweeping landscapes. It’s also pretty special.
In Herdling, you play the role of a nameless child who awakens in an abandoned city. It’s not clear what’s happened to humanity, but at least you’re not alone. You soon come across a strange animal known as a Calicorn, the first of many such creatures. Each can be tamed by holding down the X button, allowing them to join your growing herd.
While your journey begins among buildings, you soon reach the outskirts and the vast countryside beyond the city limits. The seemingly endless world looks daunting at first, but don’t expect an open-world experience. Although you can travel in various directions, the game gently guides you on a path towards the mountains. It still feels like your decision, though, which I appreciate.
Your goal in Herdling is to protect your herd. Simple enough, right? Herdling isn’t a terribly difficult game, but there are challenges and puzzles that will get your adrenaline pumping and your mind thinking. More than once I found myself seemingly stuck only to find a new path and another way to approach the scene. It keeps things from becoming frustrating while ensuring a relatively cosy experience.
The actual herding mechanic works well. You begin by standing behind your group and tapping or holding the ZR button. The creatures then move in the direction you’re facing. The left joystick is your navigation, with left or right movements keeping everyone heading in the desired direction.
There were some minor bumps along the way. My herd was occasionally stuck in a corner, unsure of where to go. Thankfully, you can easily avoid or fix this situation. A long vertical line indicates the position of your herd’s movement, helping you track where you’re going. The addition of faster and slower speeds—as well as “brakes”—also helps you maneuver your animals through tighter sections. If all else fails, stopping them and repositioning yourself behind them does the trick. I made it through the game without being stuck for more than a few seconds, and only a handful of times. Overall, it’s an intuitive mechanic. It’s nice work from the indie team at Okomotive.
One of the most endearing features of Herdling is how attached you become to your pack of Calicorns. This is partly because each one can be named as they join the crew. You can create your own moniker or let a random generator take the decision out of your hands. It’s a simple addition that helps you bond with these loveable animals.
You can also decorate, feed, and pet each critter. Petting them makes them happy, though it doesn’t seem to affect them in any other way. Still, I frequently stopped to check in on my herd; I felt a need to care for and protect them. In this way, the Calicorns become almost like pets. This may not be the case for everyone, but animal lovers will definitely enjoy tending to their flock. It helps that they’re fluffy and somewhat cute, like giant yaks crossed with dogs. They also come in all shapes and sizes, making them feel unique.
There are other moments of pure joy, like when you build a fire to soothe your crew. The Calicorns instinctively know to gather around and rest at these spots, creating a peaceful, serene scene that helps your virtual bond grow even stronger. The surrounding environment is also utterly delightful, with forests and mountains to explore, along with environmental aspects like snow and rain to accompany you on your journey. I snapped plenty of pics along the way, often taken aback by the beautiful scenery. There are some noticeable drops in framerates, and the sprites sometimes overlap in odd ways, but these rough patches don’t detract from the experience.
The accompanying music is also divine. The orchestral soundtrack is perfectly utilized, swinging between serene soundscapes during periods of rest and dramatic tunes during chase sequences. The songs enhance the emotional draw of the gameplay, with uplifting melodies and even moments of silence to help you take in the loneliness of your surroundings. Well done!
Herdling isn’t a tough game, nor is it a long adventure, spanning around five hours of gameplay. The $19.99 price tag might seem a little steep, but what it lacks in time it more than makes up for in atmosphere and passion. It’s a journey that will leave you feeling inspired.
