Ophelia Payne

Urban fantasy is a unique genre in gaming. It blends elements of folklore and fairytales in a more modern setting. Herdling is a brand-new adventure from Okomotive, who are known for creating the acclaimed atmospheric FAR games, and Panic, publishers of the beautiful Firewatch game. Herdling also does something even more unusual in gaming; it combines urban fantasy with cozy elements of light socialization and animal care.

Waking up under a bridge, you make your way out into the city. Nothing is really explained, but it’s clear that some life-altering event had taken place. People still live there, but it’s sparsely populated and desolate. You quickly encounter the first Calicorn of twelve available to find. When you tame them, you can give them a name. You can feed and groom them as well and heal them if they get injured. As you navigate through the city, you learn how to herd the Calicorn and navigate through paths and obstacles. It is a basic gameplay mechanic, and yet somehow very personal. You will find a glowing mural that indicates that the Calicorn do not belong in the city, and you set out to help them get home. Shortly after, you will encounter your second and third Calicorn, and you’ve begun the journey of moving your new herd across plains, mountains, forests, and deserts. All while trying to keep your herd safe from eerie dangers and unexpected obstacles.

Herdling is a straightforward adventure game where your actions matter, not your words. The story is told entirely without words and relies on environmental clues. Guiding your new herd across a farm, you will see tractors and even a train, but none of that is important to explore. There are also coloured flowers that you will find growing throughout the maps. The blue flowers will add stamina so you can stampede and move the herd quickly. As your herd passes through the blue flowers, their fur will take on a blue hue. An easy visual clue to follow. These moments of stampeding wildly through open areas were completely magical. And I found myself filled with joy, a huge grin across my face as we all ran wild and free.

You will also use yellow flowers to gather a golden glow on your herd to expose murals and open sections at times to traverse.

There are a few light puzzles scattered throughout Herdling as well. There are times when you need to determine how to get the newest Calicorn discovered to join you. This might involve opening doors or creating ramps, for example. Movement of the herd is fairly intuitive; pressing a button while facing a direction will move the herd in that direction. You will see a white directional line for assistance. This comes into play when navigating a tight area or avoiding obstacles and dangers. Stopping involved a double-tap of a button. The Calicorns are all unique in their looks and personalities, but even the rascal ones were obedient when it mattered. You can groom your Calicorns if you go through sticks or leaves, and you can pet them at any time. These actions involved no special tools, and you are prompted as you approach each animal. These simple, caring gestures lent a sort of intimacy to the game and made you feel like you mattered to them, and they weren’t just being forced across the land to your final destination. The Calicorns will also help you move blockades or scale inclines, promoting a feeling of working together as a herd. Collectibles are scattered throughout the maps in the form of decorations and saddles that you can assign to your magnificent companions.

There are save/rest points scattered throughout, normally at the end of each level. You will gather firewood and gather your herd nearby to sleep until morning. Some of the areas will have a ball of vines that you can play fetch with your Calicorns as well.

Dangers of narrow bridges, or avoiding territorial bird nests, or even dodging cracks in the ice, become more difficult as you get a larger herd. Sometimes one or more will lag behind, or sprint ahead. Requiring you to call them all together again. Calicorns may or may not die depending on how you choose to care for them and keep them safe. This felt like a lot of responsibility and pressure at times for me.

With no words, the soundtrack carries a heavier load. It feels dynamic and picks up or slows down as your herd does. But, again, the stampede moments stand out, with the music reaching crescendos, and you fly across the open spaces. It wonderfully matches the spirit of the game, and its blend of percussion, strings and wind instruments has solidified a place in one of the best soundtracks I’ve had in some time.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Herdling, but I was intrigued by the trailers. Since it was also on Xbox Game Pass, it was easy to take a chance on it. Herdling is a game about discovering your purpose. Neither you nor the Calicorns belonged in the city, and as a newfound family, you make your way as companions to the Calicorns’ home. At a slim 3 – 4 hours, it’s a compact package of feelings. This is both a heart-warming and heart-wrenching adventure and a journey I’ll remember for some time.