Herd strike

Fighting games will always hold a special place in my heart. I am known for loving a bunch of obscure titles that most players have long forgotten. So every time something new crops up in the genre it immediately piqued my interest. Them’s Fightin’ Herds is a perfect example of taking an idea that absolutely should not work and making it fun. Imagine a fighting game that basically takes characters from something like My Little Pony and turns it into a legitimate fighting game with solid mechanics and interesting and diverse characters. Also make it accessible and full of plenty of modes to keep players interested and you have Them’s Fightin’ Herds.

Them’s Fightin’ Herds is derived from developer Mane6’s past efforts to create a fighting game in the world of the aforementioned cartoon. The team originally developed an unofficial fighting game called Fighting is Magic which was subsequently nixed by Hasbro. So instead of being discouraged the team instead pushed forward with the idea using their own characters. The result is a game that wears its inspiration on its sleeve, while also bringing forth a diverse cast of likable characters full of their own unique personality.

MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99

The initial cast consists of seven characters. Instead of ponies we have an alpaca, a cow, a reindeer, a unicorn, a longma, and a sheep. What makes this even better is that each one possesses their own personality. It may look like clones from the outside, but once you take control of each one you realize quickly each one feels wholly different. Sadly, this is also my biggest gripe with the game. Having only seven characters at launch for a fighting game feels minimal at best. I hope the game continues to grow its roster as time moves on.

The plethora of modes found here is not on the short side. The biggest of these is the story mode. This thing is just as unique as the idea of the game itself. Each character has their own progression and some involve varying game styles that simply feel amazing. I was excited to jump into each one and it somehow makes up for the lack of fighters. With each one feeling like their own mini-game in itself. For players wanting single player content, this is one of the best for fighting games outside of the kings such as NetherRealm.

There are also the standard modes found within such as training which showcases just how deep this four button fighter actually is. Then we have arcade mode where I usually begin my journey hoping to find some sweet endings and learn each of the characters and how they match up against the others. The final boss is also interesting as it tosses out other various characters such as a bear to take down. This game just oozes charm and style on every front.

The online mode features rollback netcode and feels fantastic. While the community is a little light right now, the matches I did get into felt amazing. There are casual as well as ranked modes to dig into and the fact that we have crossplay is huge. This little indie game puts some of the big boys to shame when it comes to making the online portion feel as robust as possible. This game could easily become a fan-favorite over time if the support continues to be there.

The four-button fighting system feels great. Using a modified version of the Skullgirls engine every attack feels impactful. I loved that moves I had in muscle memory worked here, but the game also allows for plenty of experimentation. Each character feels unique and the supers are simply stunning to watch. Don’t let it fool you though. This game can be deep for those willing to invest the time. It is always a fine line to walk between being able to pick up and play and learning the intricacies and Them’s Fightin’ herds executes this perfectly. I was able to play with my son while also digging deep into the lab to learn and perfect new combos. The game just delivers on all fronts.

Speaking of delivering, the visuals are just amazing. Taking a more animated style approach lends itself well to the content. The characters all exude personality in both their design and animations. The voice work is exceptional and the music catchy. The backgrounds are a little limited in scope and design, but this is one colorful and gorgeous game. I loved all the little touches and animations that cropped up during battles.

Them’s Fightin’ Herds is one of the best ideas in the fighting game scene in a while. The roster could use a boost, but everything else here is fantastic. The fighting feels great, the modes are plentiful, and the design is excellent. I hope support continues for this game and with crossplay and rollback netcode the online scene could become massive. If you love the genre you owe it to yourself to check this game out. Even if the idea doesn’t set with you, I promise there is plenty here to love.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.