Herald: The Interactive Period Drama is set in an alternate 19th century where the West has united to form one global superpower – the British Protectorate. With tensions brewing in the Indian Eastern colonies and whispers of a rebellion, sail on the titular HLV Herald to uncover the secrets of the Empire…
Developed by Dutch indie studio Wispfire, books I and II of the single-player adventure game were first released in 2017. Books III and IV followed a few years later, released in 2025, under Herald: The Interactive Period Drama – Complete Edition. In this point-and-click-meets-visual-novel, explore the ship and learn all about the crew, and remember – your choices matter.
Rebellion on Choppy Waters
The game starts with a splash, and our main character drowning. Saved by a mysterious hand and brought to the light, we find ourselves in the house of The Rani, an Indian woman who demands to know who we are and how we got there. Thisis where our story begins.
You play as Devan Rensburg, born to a Protectorate father and Eastern mother. Adopted as a child and raised in the West, Devan yearns to discover more about his Indian homeland. When sharp-witted and passionate 2nd Officer Aaron Ludlow brings him onto the HLV Herald, he sees this as an opportunity to do just that.
Interacting with the Drama
Herald’s gameplay blends a 3D environment for you to walk around and explore, as well as interact with items and people to learn more on board the titular ship, with the 2D character sprites of a standard visual novel. There’s a hand-drawn quality to these portraits, filling in more details to the character design where the 3D models cannot.
Explore the multiple levels on board the HLV Herald, including secret compartments and peepholes into other rooms. Read letters and notebooks, observe maps, and talk to the myriad of unique crew members on the ship, such as hard-headed captain Cornelius Hendriksz, sharp but kind-hearted Lady Tabatha Veazie, or the young and brash cabin boy Ian Douglas.
As a character of mixed heritage, Devan takes a distinctly unique stance amongst the cast, usually placed at the centre of racial tensions between crew members, and acting as a middle man between folks of the Protectorate and the Colonies. Dialogue options need to be read carefully, as every choice matters in these tense waters. As the player, we learn new information alongside our character, as we try to figure out – whose side do we really want to stand on?
Conclusion: Sink or Swim?
Overall, Herald: The Interactive Period Drama is a strong tale of colonization and how its effects echo into greater society. While its visual novel components are stronger than its 3D graphics, it still manages to hold a unique position with its story-focused visuals coupled with the ability to explore the environment it’s set in. With simple and easy-to-learn controls and fully-voiced dialogue, Herald also offers itself as an entry level adventure game for newcomers.
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the ins and outs of the ship, as well as how to navigate relationships with the crew members on board. Unraveling the story from the point-of-view of a mixed race character is not something that is commonly seen, bringing light to representation in all its forms. Although the pacing could be a little inconsistent, it is no doubt an enjoyable story game, especially for those who are looking to begin their journey with adventure games!
Rating: 7/10
Purchase Herald: The Interactive Period Drama on Steam, and top up your Steam Wallet on Codashop for bonus rewards.
This article was contributed by Amanda. A freelance writer, film and game enthusiast, she loves spending her time finding the perfect niche cozy game, and curating incredibly specific Spotify playlists. Find her over on Instagram at @thememefriend.
