Thems Fightin Herds Review (Xbox Series S)

by Jim Smale · Published October 21, 2022 · Updated October 24, 2022

This Thems Fightin Herds Review has us playing a 2D fighting game featuring a cast of adorable animals designed by acclaimed cartoon producer Lauren Faust. Beneath the cute and cuddly surface, a serious fighter awaits!

Thems Fightin Herds Review Pros:

Beautiful hand-drawn cartoon graphics.
4.1GB download size.
1000 Gamerscore.
Fighting gameplay.
2D perspective.
Looks like a dark twisted take on My Little Pony.
Gameplay settings – replay saving, background characters, number of rounds, round timer, GGPO frame delay, max ping tolerance, controller dead zone, and auto controller reset.
Cross-platform support. (optional)
Can rebind controls and set up two macros sets.
Four game modes – Story, local, online, and practice.
Online modes – quick join, lobby browser, casual match, and classic lobby.
Local modes – local versus, arcade and versus CPU.
Practice mode houses – training, tutorials, and replays theatre.
The extras menu has the credits, gallery, and recent players list.
Story mode has a chapter selection.
Four difficulties for story mode – beginner, intermediate, experienced, and hardcore.
The cutscenes are the same beautiful hand-drawn graphics.
Dialogue in cutscenes can be fast-forwarded or skipped.
CRT scan line intensity slider.
The overworld is a bit more of a pixelated and open world in its approach. A different look overall.
The story mode has multiple-choice encounters.
Tutorial pop-ups do appear within the story mode.
Seven characters initially each with palette swap alternatives.
Ten stages with each one having a nighttime or event variant.
Training mode fights will show stats on the damage done, combo counters, and life.
The training mode has an extensive list of settings – game speed, death allowed, health/meter/magic levels, juggle decay increase, juggle decay minimum, Simulate input delay, force counter hit, skip super flash, infinite Fred/frostbite/ran Shao Feng/Avast, input history, stick display, stick display position, mirror input displays, attack data, hitboxes, collision boxes, camera boxes, sprite points, extra points, center line guide, hitstun bar, hitstun bar height, stage display, combat HUD display, Ai options, wakeup options, there is more but man it goes on.
Combo trials and settings in training mode.
Command lists are cool character move sheets.
Cutesy animations.
Surprisingly accessible to new and veteran players of the genre.
Fast loading times.
Every character has their own story meaning the story mode is replayable.
The accessibility of the movesets will appeal to novices and Pros.
It is fun to play.

Thems Fightin Herds Review Cons:

Some of the actions do take practice especially when it comes to jumps and the many ways you can perform them.
Cannot skip any of the little sections within the story mode.
A lot to take in.