Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 80 | 101 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 88 | 504 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 89 | 16 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 45 reviews sampled · 46 total reviews in window · weighted 18.8 up / 1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (51)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Overall, Herdling is a wonderful adventure. It's a little rough around the edges in terms of framerates and hit detection, but it presents a unique outing that captures the loneliness of a child and the herd he inherits and protects. If you're after a sweet journey set among lavish landscapes, this one is worth checking out.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite its simplicity, Herdling is a truly emotional experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Herdling is a cosy, heartfelt trek that feels like a breath of fresh air and its stunning atmosphere and soundtrack do much of the heavy lifting. Whilst the game rarely stumbles, it seldom soars and often gets stuck behind janky controls or disappointing performance. Still, for all its rough edges, Herdling is a memorable adventure. If you're chasing the next grand expedition, this game might fall short, but if it's vibes you seek, look no further than this herd of lovable, clumsy beasts.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Herdling is an emotional journey about the bond between living beings, offering players the opportunity to develop actual connections to the charming calicorns in a silent adventure all about working together to succeed. It proportionally delivers heart-pounding stress and soaring happiness by making you fall in love with its fictional creatures. Calicorns are cute, video games are good, and Herdling is a journey that I could never regret embarking on.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Rushing down a hill with your herd feels exhilarating, if a bit unwieldy. When art direction, music, and gameplay come together, Herdling is an exercise of mindful stimulation.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“While it makes for a beautiful and delightfully calm adventure, there isn’t quite enough gameplay present to make it more broadly appealing”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you’re hunting for adrenaline, Herdling won’t scratch that itch. There are no boss fights, no skill trees, no leaderboard climbs. It’s slow, contemplative, and fragile. But if you’re open to games that feel more like journeys than challenges, this is one to treasure. Fans of Journey, Abzû, or Gris will feel at home. So will anyone who craves something meditative after a week of high-intensity shooters.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Herdling boasts an excellent soundtrack and a completely unique shepherding premise, but only delivers upon the more surface-level aspects of its promise.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“In Herdling, the focus is on the experience rather than the gameplay. Navigating the herd through the enchanted landscape captivates with its visuals and sound rather than complex mechanics. The game offers little more than occasional obstacles to avoid and minimal switch puzzles.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It rarely gives you moments to form any specific attachments to its characters. The world certainly has some cool setpieces accompanied by a soaring soundtrack, but at the end of the day I struggled to care. There is still a well crafted world and some interesting mechanics at play, but the storytelling causes it to fall short of the genre greats.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Herdling is a beautiful atmospheric adventure that I would highly recommend, especially to anyone who’s a fan of games similar to Journey. Despite having a few slow moments, I think this game is stunning and an experience I’ll remember for a while. It only took me 4 hours to finish, so it’s the perfect bite-sized game to add to your list!”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Herdling is an original and emotional experience that transforms herding into a silent and profound adventure. The bond with the calicorns, the visual beauty, and the soundtrack make every moment matter.”
read full review ↗
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Andrenoob…and 39 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Security Update 1.3.0Oct 7, 2025
- Patch Notes for Hotfix 1.2.3Aug 28, 2025
- Patch Notes for Hotfix 1.2.1Aug 25, 2025
- Patch Notes for Hotfix 1.2.0Aug 22, 2025