A Short Hike

Most games give you a mountain because something terrible is waiting at the top. A Short Hike gives you one because Claire needs cell reception. That's about as urgent as things get. You arrive at Hawk Peak Provincial Park with one real objective: reach the summit. Nobody particularly cares when you do it. Instead, you can swim, fish, climb, dig for treasure, help strangers with remarkably minor problems, or spend twenty minutes collecting golden feathers for a climb that probably did not need that many. Getting distracted is the game. Hawk Peak is small enough that you quickly start recognizing its paths and people, but dense enough that wandering off usually turns up something worth finding. As you gather feathers, climbing gets easier and gliding back down becomes half the reason to go up. Nobody needs saving, there is no ancient evil under the mountain, and the gentle soundtrack makes the whole place feel like a childhood vacation you somehow remember despite never having taken it. A Short Hike takes considerably longer to stop thinking about than to finish. For a game about getting enough signal to make a phone call, it is remarkably good at making you want to stay somewhere with none.

A Short Hike finds its charm in the little things. The island is welcoming, filled with trails, streams, and friendly characters, making exploring every corner feel almost effortless. Instead of rushing the player along, the game invites you to wander without a destination, discover different paths, and enjoy the time at your own pace. Fishing by a lake, talking to whoever happens to cross your path, or simply taking in the scenery are all part of this peaceful experience. They are simple moments, but they help create a light and pleasant atmosphere, the kind that only asks for a few minutes of your attention to work its magic. As the adventure progresses and new feathers allow you to reach greater heights, flying from the mountain’s peak takes on a special charm. Gliding over the island, following the terrain and seeing everything from above, gives you a lovely sense of freedom and wraps up the mood of the journey beautifully. It’s the kind of game that fits perfectly into a calm late afternoon, when all you want is to slow down for a while. With no rush and no real demands, A Short Hike turns a walk through a small island into a comforting memory, the kind that lingers even after the credits roll.

A Short Hike. I was recommended the game by a friend, and it is a really nice game. You run around the map trying to climb the tallest mountain on the map, but you need to collect feathers in order to improve your stamina, which improves how long you can climb for without breaks. The game has lots of cool and interesting NPC and fun side quests. There also a fun mini game where you race one of the NPC’s to certain locations on the map, which is both fun, and helps you better learn the controls of the game, as you need to perform near perfectly to overtake them, and stay in the lead. Teaching skills such as when to run, when to fly, and learn shortcuts to certain locations, which lets save time. Overall, lovely game, I loved the ending, and would recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a new cosy game to play.