Herdling hearts through a magical journey.
Okomotive ‘s first game, Far: Lone Sails, came out in 2018. It was a post-apocalyptic side-scrolling adventure that got a lot of attention from fans of independent games. Its follow-up, Far: Changing Tides, kept up the studio’s reputation for making emotionally powerful experiences with little story.
What made Okomotive unique was their ability to create a link between the player and an in-game object without using words. This was portrayed in an amazing way in Herdling. Okomotive continues this tradition with Herdling, though the way it works has changed. Here, you don’t control any vehicle; instead, you lead a group of magical animals that look like yaks and are called calicorns.
When it was shown off at the last Nintendo Indie Direct, Herdling got a lot of attention right away for how cute and moving it was. Herdling isn’t about high-stakes action or hard battles; it’s about the peaceful joy of caring for, leading, and bonding with others.
The story in Herdling is purposely simple so that players can make up their own stories about what happens. The story is mostly about a young girl who leads the Calicorns from a broken-down city to the safety of the mountains.
The beings feel like they have a purpose—they are not just animals that need to be led; they are beings with a calling. Others may just enjoy the slow trip, while others may see the Calicorns as symbols for lost souls looking for their way.
As you play, interacting with the Calicorns makes them more complex. At first, meeting someone new might be scary, but as you get to know each other better through feeding, petting, or cleaning, trust and love grow. Some Calicorns like to play and get into trouble, while others just want to be with someone.
When a Calicorn dies, the emotional stakes are raised, and it’s bittersweet to see its spirit come back to help you. At night, spending time by the fire can help you think, care for others, and follow minor plot points that strengthen the bond between you and the herd.
The main game loop is all about keeping the calicorn in line. You start with one Calicorn and explore the world to find more Calicorns to train. It’s as easy as pressing a button to tame one of these animals, but each new addition to your group feels important, bringing out their uniqueness. Giving them names, either by hand or with the help of a generator, makes the bond stronger and adds a surprisingly satisfying personal touch.
The group is easy to control: just point your reticle and press a button, and the Calicorns will follow. But the environment is hard because the ground is falling, there are poisonous plants, and there are dangerous animals, which makes it important to be careful.
To add more depth to the game’s features, flower fields of different colors are used. Red fields speed up enemies, blue fields charge a boost gauge, and yellow fields connect to puzzle-solving sequences. These extras give the easy herding mechanic a sense of purpose and keep you interested.
There isn’t much fighting, but there are tasks in the environment that work like puzzles. Predators may chase the group, so they need to be carefully placed to avoid getting lost. Some challenges, like avoiding platforms that collapse or leading Calicorns through thorny bushes, need to be done at the right time. In the late game, some problems need to be planned out with boost mechanics or herd positioning in order to move forward.
The best thing about these patterns is how well they fit in with the world and the way the herd works. They are never annoying or harsh; instead, they encourage patience and observation. The game has a calm, meditative tone, so sometimes the tasks don’t feel very exciting because they’re so simple. Herdling is different because it doesn’t have standard combat. Instead, it focuses on emotional engagement over adrenaline.
Herdling doesn’t have a standard XP system. Instead, progress is mostly based on stories and exploration. Getting Calicorns and becoming close to them gives you the most satisfaction. Figuring out environmental puzzles and leading your herd to safe areas naturally awards mastery of the game’s mechanics. This encourages careful planning and attention without the need for levels or numbers. This method strengthens the mental focus and keeps the game relaxing instead of being focused on grinding.
The way Herdling looks is all over the place. Beautiful mountain views, colorful flower fields, and unique Calicorn patterns all come together to make truly breathtaking moments. Each Calicorn is different, with different horn shapes, fur patterns, and ways of moving. This makes gathering easy and interesting to look at.
But sometimes low-detail terrain, minor clipping during encounters, and sudden pop-ins of environmental layers make it hard to get into the game. In cold areas, the Steam Deck’s performance drops below 30 FPS, and camera hiccups make it even less fun to play. These technical problems don’t ruin the experience, but they can be annoying because they stand out against the beautiful images.
The music for Herdling is great. There is a different set of music for each biome, which often reflects societal and environmental themes. Instruments that reflect the personalities of the Calicorns and the mood of the world make traveling through flower fields, mountainous terrain, or destroyed towns more enjoyable.
Playful grunts, emotional cries, and quiet sounds from the surroundings make the world feel more real. Audio cues also help with gameplay by letting you know about dangers or herd habits, which is a beautiful combination of form and function.
Herdling works because it emphasizes connection over difficulty. Its simple plot, bright graphics, and emotionally powerful herd features make for a deeply moving and meditative experience. Even though the game has some technology issues and some puzzles that aren’t very well thought out, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.
Okomotive has taken their unique style of telling stories without words and making games that make you feel things from the Far series and put it into a new setting with creatures that react, bond, and grow with you.
Every action—feeding, cleaning, petting, and running through flower fields—makes the person feel cared for and successful. Even though the trip only lasts three hours, it’s full of great moments that will stay with you for a long time.
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.
From Krampus to golden genie, Herdling gets the bronze genie lamp for being solidly good, heartfelt, and memorable. This game makes you think, feel happy, and have a soft ache when a beloved Calicorn dies or when the trip comes to an end. This is a must-play for anyone who likes highly charged independent games.
