Them's Fightin' Herds Review: Is It Worth Playing?

What is Them's Fightin' Herds?

Them's Fightin' Herds is a 2D fighting game developed by Mane6 and published by Modus Games. Its origins are distinct, having evolved from a project based on the My Little Pony franchise before a complete visual overhaul.

The premise is whimsical: in a world named Fœnum, predatory animals are sealed away by a magical key. The guardians of this key are a group of herbivorous fighters — a deer, a reindeer, a sheep, a goat, a cow, and an alpaca — who battle to determine who is worthy of protecting it from a new threat.

The narrative is delivered with self-aware, cartoonish charm. It features full voice acting and story modes that lean heavily into its animated fantasy setting.

Gameplay

The core gameplay is where the game truly distinguishes itself. It uses a simplified four-button layout (light, medium, heavy, and magic attacks) that belies considerable strategic depth.

The fighting engine is a modified version of Skullgirls'. This means it inherits smooth, fluid animation cancels, lengthy combo potential, and a deliberate pace of neutral game play.

A universal magic system adds a key layer: by holding the magic button, each character builds a unique resource. This resource can be spent on enhanced special moves or super attacks, creating a constant risk-reward dynamic as charging leaves you vulnerable.

Learning Curve and Online Play

The learning curve is well-considered. A detailed tutorial explains basic controls and fundamental concepts like high/low blocking, cross-ups, and spacing.

The game features a unique single-player RPG mode in its story content. You navigate an overworld map, engage in light puzzle-solving, and fight enemies to gain experience and unlock cosmetic items.

This mode is a charming diversion, but the heart of the experience is versus play. The netcode uses GGPO rollback, which provides a consistently smooth and responsive online experience — a critical factor for the game's longevity.

Who is Them's Fightin' Herds for?

This game occupies a specific niche. Its accessible presentation and animal-themed cast might initially attract a casual audience, but the mechanical depth places it firmly in the territory of dedicated fighting game enthusiasts.

It is a game for players who enjoy labbing combos, understanding frame data, and engaging in the mental tug-of-war of ranked matches. The excellent online functionality makes it a strong choice for players without a consistent local scene.

If you are a fan of anime-style fighters like BlazBlue or Skullgirls, you will likely find familiar and satisfying systems here. Conversely, players looking for a simple party fighter may be surprised by its complexity.

Who it is for:

• Hardcore fighting game players who appreciate a well-crafted engine.
• Players who enjoy online competition and want reliable netcode.
• Fans of anime-style fighters like Skullgirls or BlazBlue.

Who it is not for:

• Casual players seeking a simple party fighter to button-mash through.
• Story-driven players who want an extensive single-player experience.

Graphics and Performance

The visual style is a clear high point. Characters and stages are rendered in a crisp, high-quality 2D cartoon style with fluid, expressive animation that makes every move readable.

The art direction creates a cohesive world that sells its fantasy premise without taking itself too seriously. The user interface is clean and functional, if somewhat basic.

On a technical level, the game is not demanding. On PC, it runs exceptionally well on modest hardware, maintaining a stable 60 frames per second — non-negotiable for a fighting game.

We encountered no noticeable bugs, crashes, or performance dips during our time with it. The presentation is polished and reliable, which solidly supports the precise demands of its genre.

Value for Money

The game's value proposition hinges almost entirely on your engagement with competitive multiplayer. The core package includes a story mode for each of the six base characters, offering roughly 6-8 hours of content, plus extras like the pixel lobby and training tools.

For a player with no interest in online ranked matches or grinding combos in training mode, this will feel lean for the asking price.

However, for the player who engages with the competitive core, the value is significant. The quality of the netcode and the depth of the combat system provide hundreds of hours of gameplay.

The developer has also supported the game with additional characters as downloadable content, expanding the roster. The price is justified if you approach it as a serious fighting game to learn and master, rather than a single-player experience.

Verdict

Them's Fightin' Herds is a well-executed fighting game for competitive players who value deep mechanics and reliable online play. It is not for casual or story-focused players.

Them's Fightin' Herds is a fascinating and well-executed anomaly in the fighting game genre. It pairs an absurd, animal-centric premise with one of the more thoughtfully designed and technically proficient 2D fighting engines of recent years.

Its greatest strength is its commitment to competitive integrity, evidenced by its superb netcode and deep mechanics. We recommend it to fighting game aficionados looking for a new, balanced, and online-focused title with a unique flavour.

We cannot recommend it as a primary purchase for players seeking only a casual, story-driven experience or a simple party fighter. The charm of its presentation is undeniable, but it is fundamentally built as a competitive tool.

The disparity between its whimsical exterior and its hardcore interior is its defining characteristic — a strength for some, a deal-breaker for others.