Factsheet

Developer:
Wispfire
Based in Utrecht, The Netherlands

Release date:
May 1 2025

Platforms:
Steam (PC, Mac)
GOG.Com

Website:
heraldgame.com

Regular Price:

USD$19.99
EUR€19.99
GBP£16.75

Description

Herald is a choice-driven adventure game set during an alternate 19th century in which the West is united as a colonial superpower: the Protectorate. Help tell the story of Devan Rensburg, a man of mixed heritage who became steward on board of the HLV Herald, a merchant ship set for his country of birth. As Devan it is your job to keep the peace among the crew and passengers by resolving their daily squabbles. Set during a time of widespread inequality and injustice, you are challenged to uncover a great mystery that surrounds the Herald's perilous voyage.

History

Wispfire is an indie game company based in The Netherlands. We create story-driven games with a passion for historical events and cultural diversity. With Herald we aim to make an interactive drama that lets players choose a side in a conflict resulting from colonialism. For this project we spent a great amount of time researching the historic 19th century to create a believable, alternate history.

Features

  • A branching narrative that changes depending on how you decide to play. Do you choose to be bold and stand up for the downtrodden, or would pleasing the elite be the safer and smarter choice?
  • Uncover all of the secrets aboard the merchant clipper Herald, as you explore its many nooks and crannies.
  • The Herald is a microcosm of 19th century society. The crew and passengers all have their own dark secrets and often use sly coercion to convince Devan to help them. But who can you trust?
  • Herald's diverse cast of characters is brought to life by beautifully animated portraits, and the performances of fifteen talented voice actors.
  • Herald is set during an alternate 1857 in which the West has been united as a single global superpower: the Protectorate. Governed not by kings but by an elected 'Lord Protector’, the Protectorians believe they are morally superior. But are they?
  • A gripping tale about finding your place in a world divided by race, class and culture.

Videos

Herald: Complete Edition Trailer YouTube

Voice Actor Featurette YouTube

Character Teaser YouTube


Images

download all screenshots & photos as .zip (116MB)
01TooSlow.png
02CrewQuarters.png
03PoisonedMe.png
04WaterAsFar.png
05Eavesdrop.png
06GranfatherClock.png
08DevanParents.png
10CarefulTrust.png
11GRules.png
12Captain.png
Rani_and_Devan.png
Rooster2.png
The_Herald_at_Sea.png
character_promo.png
tabdevan.png
07DeskCaptain.png
DevanLamp_Characterpromo_CompleteEdition.png
DevanLookout_HD.png
DTLShip_HD_notitle.png
heraldlogo_complete.png

download logo files as .zip (1MB)
logo

Awards & Recognition

  • "Indie Prize Showcase winner for "Best Narrative"." Casual Connect, Amsterdam, 6 February, 2015
  • "Indie Prize Showcase nomination for "Best Art"." Casual Connect, Amsterdam, 6 February, 2015


Selected Articles

  • "Herald is novel-like in its sensibilities and in its literary quality. It's engaging, and it has something vital to say."
    - Colin Campbell, Polygon
  • "There are elements of Kurosawa’s Rashomon at work in this beautiful point-and-click episodic adventure."
    - Matt Kamen and Andy Robertson, The Guardian
  • "Rarely do form, content and gameplay combine so effectively to make a complete artwork as Herald."
    - Pim van den Berg, IGN Benelux
  • "Herald looks gorgeous. Vaguely set “in the 19th century”, it captures mood with breadth rather than striving for particularities, and ultimately it is better for doing so."
    - Mark Filipowich, Popmatters

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About Wispfire

Boilerplate
We're an indie game company with a focus on making story-driven games and have a passion for historical events and cultural diversity.

More information
More information on Wispfire, our logo & relevant media are available here.


Herald: The Interactive Period Drama - Complete Edition Credits

Bart Heijltjes
Creative Director

Roy van der Schilden
Narrative Designer

Aïda de Ridder
Art Director

Remko Haagsma
Programmer

Sam Greszes
Marketing

Anna Mattaar
Editor

Bart Delissen
Composer

And all others who joined our team during production!


presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks