A few weeks back, I got the chance to spend some time with Herdling, an indie game that stands out for its atmospheric vibes and focused gameplay mechanic. Unlike most game demos, Herdling stood out because of how relaxed I felt while playing it. Most games create tension through challenge (and sometimes even generate cursing), but Herdling takes things in the opposite direction. Yes, there are objectives to meet and challenges to overcome, but doing so didn't feel stressful. It felt rewarding.

In Herdling, you play a young girl who comes across mythical creatures, the Calicorn. A Calicorn looks sort of like a bison or a yak that can stand on its hind legs, but with a lot more fur and massive glowing eyes. The extra fur makes these gentle beasts look super cuddly, and maybe that's part of the appeal. I mean, I wouldn't say no to a Calicorn plush.

Adding to the idea of a herd of individuals, each Calicorn looks slightly different, and each has its own unique name.

The beginning of the game introduces you to the main mechanic, which is basically herding the Calicorn. You have a magic stick and can use it to tell the Calicorn where to go. The thing is that it's not super precise — or at least the Calicorn aren't super precise. You can give them a direction, but you can't control the exact path.

Although the ultimate goal is to get the Calicorn to the top of a mountain, the demo area I played was in a city. Navigational challenges consisted of fences, gates, doors, etc. As I moved through the area, I found more Calicorn. Some were trapped and needed to be rescued. The Calicorn could help, as long as I herded them in the right direction. Again, it didn't feel like precision, so much as guiding a gentle, but strong, force of nature. If you need an extra push, you can even get your group to stampede.

Before I knew it, my little herd was growing, and I had a solid sense of satisfaction.

It was that sense of satisfaction that stuck with me the most after playing Herdling. As the game progresses, I'm sure the puzzles will get trickier and the traversal may get more challenging, but I don't expect the core gameplay loop to ever get frustrating. Even when a Calicorn wandered off or got stuck in a corner, it wasn't annoying. It was just a small bit of work to nudge the wayward creature back on the right path.

In an industry that sometimes prides itself on challenge, the magic of Herdling may very well be in its relaxed pace and environmental storytelling. It doesn't ask you to have split-second reflexes to be successful. You just need to be present in the world. Sit back, relax, explore, and discover.