This short, beautiful indie game saved me from a rather dreadful day, and it’s on Xbox Game Pass

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I play a lot of games I find through Xbox Game Pass. And it seems like I’m not alone – recent reports show many people are discovering new games thanks to the service.

While big-name games like Hollow Knight: Silksong and The Outer Worlds 2 get all the attention, it’s the smaller, indie titles – like *Herdling* – that really show how great Game Pass is.

I recently finished playing The Alters, a fantastic game on Xbox Game Pass, and needed something a bit lighter afterward. Herdling turned out to be exactly what I needed, and it actually helped me unwind on a stressful day. If you’ve got about five hours to spare and are looking for a relaxing experience, I highly recommend Herdling.

Leading your furry friends home

You find yourself waking up alone in a poor, decaying part of town. No one tells you what to do or where to go. The only thing you know is that you feel compelled to help a small, fluffy creature that’s being held captive close by.

Herdling is a gentle game with a calming story. You’ll journey across a vast world, finding and befriending creatures called “Calicorns.” Each Calicorn is special, with its own name, look, and personality, but they all share a common goal: to find a safe haven, and they’re counting on you to lead them there.

The reason you were selected for this mission isn’t explained, and you don’t need to know *how* you know what to do – only that you have a task to complete. Using signals like hand movements and whistles, you guide your group of Calicorns, directing them to move, rush forward, or halt. It’s your job to lead them safely through any obstacles you face.

Herdling’s art style and direction are phenomenal, a perfect match for the story it’s telling.

Your journey won’t be without its dangers. As you guide your herd, you’ll travel through stunning landscapes – lush forests, harsh glaciers, and vibrant fields – all marked by ancient ruins and mysterious artwork. These remnants suggest a complex history for the creatures you’re leading, and a powerful, almost magical force at play.

The scenery is stunning, but taking care of your Calicorns is important. They need food, love, and things to keep them entertained. You’ll also need to protect them from dangers – each new area presents different challenges. It takes effort to keep a Calicorn safe, and even more if you want to find *all* of the Calicorns who are waiting to be rescued.

Herdling has its share of dramatic and moving scenes. Although players will experience the same basic events, each playthrough will unfold as a unique personal story.

A lovely way to spend an afternoon

Let me tell you about my collection of animals: Appa, Momo, Pabu, Cabbage, Naga, Oogli, Ori, Caterpillar, Foofi, Bumbli, and Balto. I gave them all these names myself-you might notice a pattern!-based on how they look or how we first met.

I’m happy to report that all my animal companions made it through the journey safe and sound – we avoided any trouble with landslides, glacier cracks, or whatever those strange, aggressive birds were! Sadly, I wasn’t able to rescue every Calicorn; I think I missed about three, but it’s hard to know for sure how many were out there.

Every Calicorn has a unique look and a slightly different personality. You can also customize them with decorations and harnesses. It took me about five hours to finish the game, Herdling, at a relaxed pace – though a faster player could complete it in three. Despite not rushing, I still grew fond of each Calicorn I befriended.

A bad day and a worse storm didn’t prevent me from feeling the warmth of Herdling’s final campfire.

I quickly became captivated by this story. It helped me relax and forget the stress of a long day, even though the plot was full of mysteries and my animal companions faced a dangerous journey home.

The story concluded perfectly, leaving me feeling at peace and like I’d finally found a safe haven for myself and my Calicorns after a difficult journey – one that many others had clearly faced before. Though a storm raged outside, mirroring the day’s hardships, I still cherished the comforting memory of the last campfire I shared with my herd.

You can get Herdling for just $24.99 at Xbox.com, but it’s even better if you have Xbox Game Pass – it’s included as part of that service! It’s also part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program. I planned to play Herdling on my ASUS ROG Ally X during a business trip, but I enjoyed it so much I finished it before I even started packing!

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2025-09-28 15:10