- Publisher: Panic Inc.
- Release Date: Aug 21, 2025
- Also On: PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox Series X
- Summary:
- Developer: Okomotive
- Genre(s): Adventure, Third-Person, 3D, Action Adventure, General
- # of players: No Online Multiplayer
- Cheats: On GameFAQs
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
-
Positive: 10 out of 15
-
Mixed: 5 out of 15
-
Negative: 0 out of 15
-
Aug 21, 2025In having a minimalist approach to its storytelling and game mechanics, Herdling is able to bring closer attention to its overarching message about hardship and found families within nomadic, unhoused groups. It does an excellent job at balancing these themes in a digestible way, leaving you room to sit back and really take in what it’s trying to say. That it also manages to be an interesting survival game is just the cherry on top.
-
Aug 21, 2025It's a heartwarming joy to get to know each of the calicorns I found on my journey to the mountain, and it's because of the loving bonds I'd formed with each of them that its central gameplay mechanic works so well, both in my hands and in my heart.
-
Aug 21, 2025A short game that is absolutely brilliant.
-
Aug 21, 2025A 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.
-
Aug 22, 2025Herdling 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.
-
Aug 26, 2025In the herd that follows my hand, I find the calm beauty of endless fields stretched before us.
-
Aug 21, 2025Herdling 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.