Them’s Fightin’ Herds aims to be a unique 2D fighter. Those who love Skullgirls will equally enjoy Them’s Fightin’ Herds for the art style, music and 2D fighting mechanics. Currently, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is an early access game so many of the full features are locked but as of right now, Them’s Fightin’ Herds seems to be gearing up to be a 2D fighter to be quite visually and aesthetically different than most games before it. Them’s Fightin’ Herds will release fully sometime this year, but right now, the base game is available to enjoy and if you want to see the full game’s early designs then now is the time to pick it up.

Based on the same fighting systems seen in Skullgirls, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is a 2D fighter unlike many others. Instead of controlling human fighters, players control pony-like fighters. Llamas, dragons, ponies and even other creatures will be the fighters in Them’s Fightin’ Herds. Execute insane combos and unleash powerful abilities in either single player, local multiplayer or online with others. The final release of Them’s Fightin’ Herds will have a story mode for each character and more online options. Those who like deep fighters with tons of room to grow will love Them’s Fightin’ Herds.

Currently, story mode wasn’t available in Them’s Fightin’ Herds’ early access. What we can surmise is that each of the various horse-like fighters will have their own personal stories. There also might be an overarching reason for these various characters to engage one another in combat. Them’s Fightin’ Herds will also have other hidden goodies in terms of lore and character themes. Only the full release of Them’s Fightin’ Herds will tell us what story it is trying to present.

Back in 2012, a small team of developers called Reverge Labs created Skullgirls. Using the help of 2D fighting professionals, Skullgirls had a lot of depth to it making it a true fighting game. Since then, Skullgirls has proven to be a great 2D fighting game that various fans of the genre have come to consider the perfect 2D fighter. Now, ironically Mane6—developers behind Them’s Fightin’ Herds—was developing a My Little Pony title but found themselves unable to do so. Thus, in order to save their game, they used the Skullgirls systems to create Them’s Fightin’ Herds. While Them’s Fightin’ Herds is still in early access, we here at Honey’s Anime have gotten our hands on this strange 2D fighter and have some thoughts to share on it. Here is our preview of Them’s Fightin’ Herds.

Them’s Fightin’ Herds, as we mentioned, is a 2D fighting game where characters control animal fighters. These fighters range from Oleander who is a powerful—and dual personality—unicorn and then you have Arizona a cow-like warrior. These characters all fight quite differently and are quite unique in design and movements. Arizona, for example, favors grappler ideals while Oleander uses a mix of mid-range attacks and distance moves. The only we think some might have is with the designs which might turn off some people but if you can look past that then we’ll tell you now, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is an amazing fighting game. We didn’t get to try story mode so we can’t vouch for that yet, but we did get to play the arcade mode and online portions and we’ll talk about those modes in our preview.

Arcade mode allows players to go up against the AI in a multitude of fights like any other 2D fighter. However, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is one tough game with the AI never letting down. Players will need to learn the mechanics of Them’s Fightin’ Herds just like Skullgirls if they hope to survive the grueling fights. Even on normal, we got our butts handed to us initially. Though after some practice and more fighting, we began to understand how to perform combos, cancels and super attacks.

Online mode works just as well as the single player. We only experienced a bit of lag in a few fights but more often than not, Them’s Fightin’ Herds handled silky smooth online. Those who are fighting game veterans will understand how important this is. Lag filled rooms will caused fights to be lost and will make combos miss which can anger any fighting game player. Thankfully, Them’s Fightin’ Herds doesn’t have this issue and we expect the full game to have the same themes. Though, when Them’s Fightin’ Herds is more populated it will truly be tested with online servers so let’s hope it does indeed go well.

Visually and musically, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is quite amazing. Like Skullgirls, Them’s Fightin’ Herds has a ton of visual flair. Special attacks look beautiful and even simple moves look incredible. The same can be said with the voice acting and music which are solid all around. We did notice some technical issues with voices not matching lips but we think that’s an early access issue with Them’s Fightin’ Herds. Also as we mentioned above, Them’s Fightin’ Herds pony designs might not be for everyone but if you’re above that then you’ll actually like the designs in Them’s Fightin’ Herds.

Them’s Fightin’ Herds is a rather strange fighting game but like Skullgirls, that strangeness works wonders for this 2D fighter. The deep fighting system leaves a lot of room to master combos, timing cancels and how to best go offensive/defensive. We also loved the art and equally, the music is rather excellent in our minds. Them’s Fightin’ Herds isn’t a fighter for everyone though as it has a clear learning curve to it as even on easy the AI is tough and those who consider themselves fighting buffs will prove quite formidable online. We are looking forward to seeing the story mode and some technical fixes with Them’s Fightin’ Herds final full release but we think it’s worth investing in this excellent 2DS fighter even if you might question the My Little Pony character designs and themes.

Despite being an early access title at the moment, Them’s Fightin’ Herds shows a ton of potential for a 2D fighting game. With beautiful art—though some might not agree and excellent 2D fighting mechanics, Them’s Fightin’ Herds might be an impressive fighting game this 2018 gaming year. We hope to have a full review for you out when Them’s Fightin’ Herds becomes a full release but until then we think it’s worth the gamble of spending $14.99 on it. Are you excited for Them’s Fightin’ Herds? Tell us down below and for all your gaming reviews, previews and news needs be sure to keep stuck to our hive here at Honey’s Anime!