Herdling

[i]Herdling[/i] est un jeu correct, sans plus. Je n'ai pas été transcendé par cette transhumance dont l'unique horizon se résume à rallier les cimes, sans le moindre élément narratif venant enrichir le propos. Le concept de l'excursion est plaisant, mais manque de substance. On soupçonne, cela dit, une portée écologique : notre personnage-berger délaisse la grisaille sinistre et oppressante de la ville pour gagner les pâturages des hauts plateaux. À l'aide de contrôles déroutants, le joueur guide laborieusement une horde de calicornes, d'étranges créatures laineuses et cornues, étonnamment dépendantes puisqu'elles ne peuvent se nourrir seules. On finit d'ailleurs par se sentir investi dans la préservation et le bien-être de son troupeau ; c'est sans doute là que réside la plus belle réussite du titre. Si [i]Herdling[/i] se pare d'un mode photo, son esthétique reste assez quelconque : rares sont les panoramas dignes d'émerveillement. Côté bande-son, les tonalités sont agréables, mais attendues. Notre lente migration aurait pourtant gagné en personnalité à travers des motifs plus travaillés, voire des sonorités tribales. À acquérir lors des soldes, d'autant que le dirigisme de l'aventure bride toute rejouabilité (sauf à collecter les succès).

[h1][b]Herdling[/b][/h1] [b]Rating: 5/10 – Mediocre[/b] [b]Herdling[/b] is a gorgeous game. The graphics, the creature design of the [i]Calicorns[/i], and the soundscape presented are all [b]Great[/b], truly. I loved seeing all the creatures, naming them, enjoying the absolutely gorgeous vistas, avoiding danger and just enjoying the atmosphere. For maybe about two minutes per location… I am genuinely somewhat devastated by how disappointed I was by this game. I really wanted to love it. This game has a lot going for it, the premise is really interesting, but it just doesn’t really deliver. The gameplay falls flat when the same few mechanics are repeated for the twentieth time, when you solve another simple puzzle to progress. There just isn’t a lot here and I genuinely feel like it drags down the other aspects of the game by a good bit, especially because the controls are just kind of awkward and a bit annoying. But lack of gameplay variety could’ve very much been made up for with other aspects. As such I hoped that some sort of narrative would make up for that portion. But that never really happens, it remains just as minimalistic, if not even more so, as the gameplay leading to a disappointingly shallow experience. [b]Herdling[/b]’s opening had me intrigued. [spoiler]You wake up under some bridge as some kid in an empty looking city where everyone seems to either just be passing through or hides in their home. And there you are, finding this strange but adorable goat creature.[/spoiler] But none of that is ever really expanded upon. The way the game is set up makes you think that there might be some interesting stuff to find out, but there just kind of isn’t. After seeing reviews talking about an emotional journey I expected much, much more than, well, barely anything at all. There is a hint at more with environmental story telling and I think that the minimalism approach, at least for me, hurt the game more than it improved it. Overall, [b]Herdling[/b] is a [b]Mediocre[/b] experience. It is absolutely gorgeous, the soundscape is [b]Great[/b], but ultimately it just consistently falls flat. The gameplay is simplistic and minimalistic to a fault, and so is the “storytelling”. This game clearly wants to be, and presents itself as, an epic and immersive journey. And it certainly looks like one. Sadly, it just doesn’t feel like one to me. I’m sure many people have and will enjoy this game but honestly, it simply doesn’t do enough to justify the usually very high price point for such a shallow experience that simply underutilizes its very short runtime.

There are things to like about this game, don't get me wrong, but the majority of what you do in this game is guide the herd of calicorns and the controls of that don't feel great. It's not chaotic enough to be challenging but not fluid enough to be fun. Also the controls for interacting with the calicorns and for seeing their name tags are frustrating.

扮演丁真带领牛牛的优秀步行模拟

Got the game and ran through it in just under 3 hours. Grabbed it on sale so I find that to be a great deal. It's beautiful, the music is great, the story is silent (no dialogue) but very fulfilling. Is this game for everyone? No. That's indie games however. You either like them, or you don't. I loved the game and will be keeping an eye on Okomotive in the future.

The controls are so bad this should be illegal.

Игра на один раз, причём свой вау-эффект от геймплея она утрачивает уже где-то на половине прохождения, и впоследствии занимается лишь самоповторением с "рескином" уже представленных механик. Затянули прохождение, видимо чтобы не делали рефанд? Думаю, что кто хотел бы, нашёл бы способ поиграть бесплатно, а так попросту из-за затянутости моё изначально крайне положительное отношение к игре к финалу сменилось на нейтральное. Последняя локация была красивой, люблю тополи... Брала игру по скидке 50%, за полную стоимость была бы наверное сильно расстроена.

🏔️ Herdling Herdling me passou uma sensação muito difícil de explicar, mas muito fácil de sentir. É um daqueles jogos que parecem pedir para você diminuir o ritmo, respirar fundo e simplesmente viver a jornada. Não existe pressa. Não existe excesso. Só você, um rebanho de criaturas e um caminho que, aos poucos, vai ganhando significado. O que mais me conquistou foi a relação construída com os animais. Eles não estão ali apenas para seguir você. Conforme a aventura avança, nasce um sentimento de responsabilidade e carinho. Você começa querendo apenas levá-los até o próximo destino e, quando percebe, já está fazendo de tudo para que nenhum fique para trás. A natureza também é uma personagem. As montanhas, os vales e o silêncio criam uma atmosfera quase contemplativa. Em vários momentos eu me peguei caminhando mais devagar, não porque o jogo exigia isso, mas porque eu simplesmente queria apreciar aquele mundo por mais alguns minutos. É uma experiência que transmite calma, mas também esperança. A jornada não é sobre chegar rápido ao destino, e sim sobre os laços que vão sendo criados durante o caminho. Poucos jogos conseguem transformar um ato tão simples quanto caminhar em algo tão bonito. 🌿 Pontos positivos Atmosfera extremamente acolhedora e contemplativa Visual belíssimo, com paisagens que convidam à exploração Relação emocionante com os animais ao longo da jornada Trilha sonora delicada e muito bem utilizada Experiência relaxante, mas cheia de significado 🍂 Pontos negativos Ritmo bastante lento para quem prefere jogos mais intensos Pouca ação e foco maior na experiência do que no desafio Algumas mecânicas podem parecer simples demais para alguns jogadores ⏱️ Tempo médio para terminar Cerca de 5 a 7 horas ⭐ Nota pessoal: 9/10 💜 Reflexão final Herdling me lembrou que cuidar também pode ser uma aventura. Em um mercado cheio de jogos que falam sobre vencer, lutar e sobreviver, ele escolhe falar sobre proteger, acompanhar e criar vínculos. E, sinceramente, são justamente essas experiências mais delicadas que costumam ficar comigo por mais tempo.

At first it was a little bit Okomotive, but then, later, it got very Okomotive.

This game is one of those unusual titles where the ‘goal’ isn’t all that important – it’s the journey, the path and the transformation that matter. I must admit that games like this, where metaphysical elements and the purely artistic aspect come to the fore, are a welcome change… even if the rest is often rather mid, and this game is no different. While Okomotive makes really good games that excel in terms of visuals, audio and concept, the gameplay and story themselves can usually be described as absolutely average. Game is beautiful and has a great soundtrack and soundscape. The feeling of freedom and openness when you first reach the countryside is indescribable. The game also does a great job of capturing the bonds you form with the animals in your herd, as well as their personalities and behaviors. In my opinion, the story is average and doesn't really stand out from other similar games. I also get the impression that the developers should have spent more time fine-tuning the controls. K&M controls are janky, while the controller is only slightly better. The biggest drawback of this game is its price. Average playtime (about 4–5 hours) and virtually zero replay value neither justify nor excuse the $25 price tag. In my opinion, a launch price of around $15 would be more appropriate. Another downside is that the game completely fails to explain the main character’s motivations. The goal is sort of outlined somewhere, but it’s easy to miss the opening mural, and let’s be honest - it all feels pretty far-fetched. [b]Would I recommend it? Only if you buy it during sale. [/b] It’s an interesting artistic and philosophical experience, very much in the spirit of what’s known as “road movies”. Game prioritizes experiences, transformation, and the formation of bonds, pushing everything else into the background. It’s worth checking out, but not at current price. ✅[list] [*] Game is blending cel-shading with semi-realistic detailing to create locations that feels both real and dreamlike. Generally speaking, the colours of the environment are muted and faded, but our animals, their ornaments and the few paintings stand out in strong, vivid colours – blue, red and yellow. [*] A lovely soundtrack full of emotion; the music is a blend of tribal and orchestral sounds. It was composed by Joel Schoch. [*] Soundscape is well worth praising. Ambient sounds suit the individual biomes, the calicorns make distinctive noises that match the animals, and our character emphasises their commands with appropriate shouts and whistles. [*] Game places great emphasis on the aspect of travelling the world – the journey is both the destination and the means. We are both the protagonist and the spectator; we’re heading somewhere, but we’re not entirely sure why. [*] That feeling of freedom and space that washes over you the moment you step out into the vast, open countryside, and your herd begins to pick up speed, as if in response to it, is unmatched. [*] The herd behaves just like real animals; it has its quirks and you’ll generally grow fond of them quickly. Fortunately, they have their own basic AI, so you don’t need to worry about them falling off a cliff or straying where they shouldn’t. It’s worth noting, however, that the animals aren’t immortal, any serious mistake might cost you one of them [*] Generally speaking, each new region introduces a new mechanic or a new threat. You might feel as though you’re repeating the same actions over and over, but the gameplay remains quite varied. [*] An interesting aspect of the gameplay is that the spirits of lost calicorns may occasionally return at certain times or in specific locations. I like the fact that this element constantly serves as a reminder of the mistakes you’ve made and their consequences. [*] Game is just the right length. If it went on any longer, it would quickly become boring. [/list] 😐 [list][*] Story leaves a lot to be desired. It is told through an environmental narrative, but at the same time it is extremely vague and rather limited. [*] K&M controls are janky, situation is better while you’re using controller but there is still room for improvement. [*] One of the achievements is insanely hard to unlock, and to be honest, not worth the effort. [/list] ❌[list] [*] Price of the game is too high compared to what it offers. [*] Motivation and goal are vague at best. [*] Low replay value. [*] It does not allow you to backtrack; e.g. if you have crossed a river ford but decide to turn back, this will not be possible and you will have to load a previous save. [*] Game’s developers have added an auto-movement option to take the strain off the player’s hands. However, I never use it for one simple reason – it’s too imprecise and, to be honest, rather than making the game easier, it actually makes it harder. The character moves less smoothly and is harder to control. It’s a shame they didn’t include an option to toggle sprinting on and off instead. [/list]