GAME’s CJ Ravey gets his PS2 herding boots on, gets chased by some angry Gromps, and wonders whether Herdy Gerdy will find the audience it undoubtedly deserves.

Private Eye magazine recently had an interesting spin on the TV show Footballers’ Wives. Apparently it’s not the sort of show that appeals to football fans, but would appeal to anyone who thinks that football players are over-paid, oversexed and under endowed in the upstairs department. Sadly, non-football fans aren’t watching it because the title’s putting them off – which is a shame because, for ITV, it’s a decent show. I wouldn’t know, because I avoided it like the plague because it was about football. So I’ll try not to be too judgmental about the fact that some of you may choose to avoid Herdy Gerdy. But if you do, it’s a damn shame.

You see, PS2 gamers of a certain age will seek out gritty, gory or military themes in their action games, and presume that the exquisite looking Herdy Gerdy is for kids. The irony is, I’d be amazed if younger gamers could get their heads round it.

That said, these little blighters are cleverer than you think. So if you’re buying for Little Johnny, and he could program your video timer from the age of three, whereas it left you confused and bewildered, give him a challenge.

But I’m running ahead. Herdy Gerdy, developed by Derby-based gaming big-hitters Core, follows the exploits of a young man called Gerdy. And guess what he does? That’s right, he herds – a simple enough occupation, surely? Nope.

The story starts with young Gerdy’s father, completely unable to wake up and get out of bed (an average day for me, as my colleagues will attest). Who will beat the evil tyrant Sadorf in the grand Tournament of Herding, when Gerdy Snr. is snoring away? Surely not a young boy such as Gerdy, your avatar for the challenges to come.

The story unfolds – slowly at first, so be patient – as you meet various characters across fantastic levels that genuinely look like you’re playing in one of the better Disney animations. Zelda-esque exploration and puzzle solving (you meet a bear, he wants honey, you meet a bee – but how do you get the twain to meet?) open up more areas. Nothing particularly ground breaking yet… But that’s where the herding comes in – and it sure isn’t a simple occupation.

Every level actually represents a tightly designed puzzle, with creatures that must be persuaded into their pens. It’s like a cross between One Man and His Dog, Lemmings, Pokemon and Sheep.

You have to successfully herd a certain amount of creatures on each level to open up new levels, and should your creatures be eaten by Gromps (more of which later) you can re-enter the level, which will be repopulated so you can try again. Several props – from magic flutes, herding sticks, magic boots to rainbow buttons – aid you in the journey, as well as extending gameplay by another leap. But where the game gets complex, is the mix of creatures you’ll be dealing with.

The first you meet are the Doops – a kind of pink Chocobo / hen / teddy bear combination. These critters are easily scared, and will run away from you; a herding basic. Chase ‘em through the pen and you’re sorted. Even this early skill is a challenge though – with the game’s camera angles occasionally making it more frustrating than it needs to be.

Push Doops in the river by accident and they float off downstream, take them anyway near a Gromp (I promise to tell you what a Gromp is soon!) and they will wander stupidly into its hungry path. They’re also attracted to your musical stick – and will congregate around it in awe. So just stick it in the ground, and they’ll stay in a holding pattern whilst you go and round up any stragglers.

The next creature you’ll encounter is a Gromp. Again, he’s pink and proud. But beware – he may look cute, as Vic Reeves once said, but he’s a BRUTE. He will attempt to eat any other creature he finds. Like a certain type of lad in the pub (usually wearing tracksuit bottoms on a Saturday night), when two meet there will tend to be a fight. This is occasionally useful, as you and your flock can sneak past whilst they ruck. You can herd a Gromp, after a fashion, by getting them to chase you – and can lead them into traps. Pen a Gromp and they sit like disgruntled old men in an outdoor toilet, waiting for someone to bring them toilet roll. Unlike such individuals, they’re now harmless.

Next you meet the Bleeps – they like high places, but will float down safely using their big ears and helicopter-like tails – especially if you’re playing a magical instrument. They seek water, but will drown.

You get the idea – each breed of creature acts differently, and there’s more than just Doops, Beeps and Groops. Pretty soon your mind will be swimming with the multitude of possibilities for your herd to be eaten, drowned, lost, trapped or scattered. Never mind getting the full lot of them to safety - It'd only be slightly more challenging to take the kids from my old Comprehensive on a school trip to Soho.

The bottom line with Herdy Gerdy is, despite some frustratingly long load times, and obnoxiously American Disney-esque voices, is that it’s a big, big challenge. When you finally get a perfect score on a level, it’s a big buzz. Instant kick-seekers may have to look elsewhere – but for the dedicated gamer, it’s going to be a worthy adversary.

An unfolding story, and a quest so big (once you realise how tricky herding can be) it may well over face you, all add up to hours of satisfying in-depth gameplay. I’ve barely space to prick the skin of the game, which in many ways has more complex gameplay than Metal Gear Solid, belied by Herdy’s animation and beautiful visuals.

Don’t let Herdy Gerdy fall between two stools – this is a brave game that deserves more exposure than it will probably get. In the face of macho-pleasing releases, yet more sport titles and the usual pap-with-a-license, only the choice that gamers make at the checkout will see experimentation and innovation rewarded. Be brave. Go Gerdy.

CJ Ravey

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