Them's Fightin' Herds

Them's Fightin' Herds is a 2D fighting game by Mane6 featuring animal characters designed by cartoon artist Lauren Faust. Behind the colorful design is a carefully crafted duel system: three attack buttons, a character-specific magic button, resource management and individually designed combos.

In addition to local versus battles, it offers cross-platform online matchmaking with GGPO rollback netcode, arcade and training modes, and the explorable Pixel Lobby. The story mode combines exploration with fighting. However, it is incomplete: only the first chapter with Arizona was released. The sequel was officially cancelled in 2023.

The base game came out for PC and later natively for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. Additional fighters from the Season 1 Pass are separate content and not the same as the base game.

PC early access began in 2018, and the full version came out on April 30, 2020. In October 2022, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series and Switch followed.

After additional characters were released between 2021 and 2024, active development ended. New story chapters were explicitly cancelled in November 2023.

The base game has six native platform versions: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch. Steam lists Windows, macOS and Linux as supported PC systems. The Switch version came out on Oct 18, 2022.

Local duels and online matchmaking are part of the game. According to the developer and publisher, the online mode connects platforms via crossplay with rollback netcode. The Deluxe Edition bundles the base game and Season 1 Pass; the Pass alone is not a standalone main game.

Controls are split across three attack strengths and one magic button. Magic uses a character-specific resource and opens up new offensive or defensive options. Enhanced super attacks and different combo routes give each character their own playstyle.

The juggle decay system prevents endlessly long air combos by gradually changing the falling speed. Good distance control, correct blocking and sensible use of magic therefore remain more important than simply button mashing.

Shanty was added in 2021 as the seventh character. The Season 1 Pass includes four more fighters: Texas (2022), Stronghoof (2023), Nidra and Baihe (2024). The DLC characters have their own fighting styles and arenas.

The Pass and character packs are additional content, not standalone main games. The Deluxe Edition bundles the base game with the Pass.

Steam lists as minimum configuration a dual-core processor at 2 GHz or faster, 4 GB RAM, an Intel Core i3-550 graphics unit or equivalent, and 6 GB storage. Recommended are 8 GB RAM and a dedicated AMD or Nvidia graphics card with at least 750 MB video memory.

macOS and Linux have separate listings on the same Steam product page. Online matches require broadband internet. The Windows 7 game requirement still listed there should not be confused with the current system requirements of the Steam client.

Chapter 1 follows Arizona and combines an explorable world seen from above with dialogue, puzzles, minigames and its own boss battles. Unlike arcade or versus matches, this campaign is a continuous solo adventure.

Mane6 announced on Nov 22, 2023 that it could no longer develop further story chapters after the last season. Parts of a planned sequel were to be used as individual content instead. The official Steam short description still promises future chapters in places; the later development announcement is decisive.

Online duels use GGPO rollback netcode and support crossplay. The netcode is meant to reduce input lag even with unstable connections, but it cannot guarantee a good ping or active opponent matchmaking.

The Pixel Lobby is a walkable online world shown from above. Players customise their Tier avatars with unlockable items, meet up for duels, and can also take on computer-controlled opponents in the Salt Mines. Players who only want to play locally can switch straight to Versus mode.

The training area explains attacks, blocking and movement step by step. In free training, you can practise sequences with detailed data. Combo trials and replays add to the practice options.

For quick matches there is local Versus mode, online matchmaking and Arcade battles. Story mode with Arizona is available alongside as a standalone solo adventure.

The Steam version offers German menu text and subtitles. Full voice acting, however, is only listed for English. In total, Steam lists eleven supported languages for the user interface.

The game supports controllers and local duels. The four attack buttons make it easy to get started, while the training system also caters to experienced fighting game players. Language and control details for the PC version should not be assumed to apply to every console.

The six original fighters are Arizona, Velvet, Oleander, Paprika, Pom and Tianhuo. They differ in reach, mobility, magic and how their attacks are built. Shanty joins the roster as the seventh character.

Texas uses heavy grab attacks, and Stronghoof adds another standalone fighting style to the roster. Nidra switches between several stances; Baihe controls space and distance with long-range attacks. These four characters are part of the Season 1 Pass.