A Short Hike

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 19,957 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • graphics
A Short Hike Game Cover
A Short Hike is a tightly-crafted, charming, and heart-warming game that comes in a bite-sized package for a delightfully low price.
Starting at $4.79Buy now
Get on Steam Get on itch.io Store Get on PS Store

"A Short Hike" is a charming, open-world adventure game where you play as a bird soaring through the air and exploring a series of beautiful islands. With a variety of characters to meet, secrets to uncover, and diverse environments to traverse, it's a delightful exploration game that encourages relaxation and mindfulness. The game features a unique art style and an uplifting soundtrack that complements the gameplay, making it a satisfying and memorable experience.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 19,957 reviews
music1,797 positive mentions
grinding72 negative mentions
  • music2,799 mentions

    The music in "A Short Hike" has been widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, with many players noting its ability to adapt dynamically to different environments and actions within the game. The soundtrack, composed by Mark Sparling, features a blend of whimsical and soothing melodies that enhance the overall atmosphere, making exploration feel rewarding and enjoyable. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing too.”
    • “The island you explore is shockingly dense with items, power-ups, and things to do that I occasionally pop back in to play them again, made easier by the phenomenal soundtrack that suits the vibe of the game perfectly.”
    • “The soothing soundtrack perfectly matches the game's relaxed pace, with gentle melodies that ebb and flow as you explore.”
    • “I wish I could comment on the music, but try as I might, I had no sound during my playthrough.”
    • “The default settings for the music/sounds are very high personally, but that doesn't change the fact how well the music/sounds go with every area.”
    • “The music is rather forgettable, and the dialogue is clever/cutesy.”
  • story2,565 mentions

    The story in *A Short Hike* is characterized as simple yet heartwarming, focusing on the protagonist, Claire, as she embarks on a journey to reach the summit of Hawk Peak while interacting with charming NPCs and completing various side quests. While the main narrative can be completed in about an hour, players are encouraged to explore the island and engage with its inhabitants, leading to a richer experience filled with delightful moments and emotional undertones. Overall, the game is praised for its cozy atmosphere, engaging dialogue, and the way it subtly weaves personal growth into its lighthearted storyline.

    • “With its cute art style, warm plot, and relaxing soundtrack, it's a truly lovely game.”
    • “The story is very sweet, and I loved how the game ended.”
    • “The overarching story of reaching the peak mirrors a subtle journey of self-discovery for Claire, which resonates emotionally by the time you reach the summit.”
    • “The story is very simple, and you could play the game without paying attention to it, but it is something to behold, and will hit you hard if you do pay attention to it.”
    • “The main storyline is short, but there are a bunch of mini quests and hidden details tucked in throughout the game.”
    • “The story is short, understandable, and won't impact your experience but you can still pay attention to it.”
  • graphics2,455 mentions

    The graphics of *A Short Hike* are widely praised for their charming pixelated art style, which evokes nostalgia reminiscent of Nintendo DS games. Players appreciate the vibrant colors and the ability to adjust the pixelation settings, allowing for a more personalized visual experience. Overall, the visuals, combined with a soothing soundtrack, create a relaxing and immersive atmosphere that enhances the game's exploration and storytelling.

    • “The game’s simple yet beautiful art style, relaxing soundtrack, and easy-to-grasp mechanics make it a soothing experience.”
    • “The graphics evoke the DS era in a way that is very nostalgic to me and the exploration/item collecting feels rewarding.”
    • “The pixelated art style is vibrant and colorful, evoking a sense of nostalgia while still feeling fresh and modern.”
    • “The pixelated graphics meant I couldn't play long without a headache.”
    • “At first, I wasn't going to purchase the game because of the graphics, but for anyone who doesn't like the pixel style graphics, you can adjust it to your liking.”
    • “The graphics by default are very pixelated which the game tells you in the options menu are a design choice, but frankly even though I don't mind 16-bit style graphics in some games, I didn't find it at all pleasant here.”
  • gameplay1,838 mentions

    The gameplay of *A Short Hike* is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, focusing on exploration, climbing, and gliding through a charming open world. Players enjoy a variety of activities, including collecting golden feathers to enhance movement abilities, completing light fetch quests, and interacting with endearing characters, all set against a soothing soundtrack. While the game is relatively short, lasting around 2-5 hours, its polished mechanics and delightful atmosphere create a relaxing and rewarding experience that encourages players to explore at their own pace.

    • “The game’s simple yet beautiful art style, relaxing soundtrack, and easy-to-grasp mechanics make it a soothing experience.”
    • “The gameplay is simple yet incredibly engaging, with fun mechanics and a charming atmosphere that encourages exploration.”
    • “The flying mechanics and physics felt very real and natural, and very satisfying to play around with.”
    • “It's basically Celeste with fewer gameplay and vibes.”
    • “My only caveat is that it's almost a little too thin; a few more gameplay features wouldn't have hurt, and exploration gets repetitive with chests just containing cash - if there were more of this very short (~1.5h) game, very few people would complain.”
    • “The gameplay is nowhere near as refined as some of its more recent contemporaries despite some great controls here.”
  • emotional1,783 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "A Short Hike" is overwhelmingly positive, with players describing it as a heartwarming and nostalgic experience that evokes a range of feelings from joy to sadness. Many reviewers highlight the game's charming characters, touching dialogues, and a simple yet impactful story that resonates deeply, particularly during the emotional climax at the summit. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to create a cozy atmosphere that leaves players feeling uplifted and connected, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing and heartfelt gaming experience.

    • “The overarching story of reaching the peak mirrors a subtle journey of self-discovery for Claire, which resonates emotionally by the time you reach the summit.”
    • “I really thought it would be a fun distraction, but being at the top of the mountain and calling her mom really emotionally destroyed me.”
    • “The ending made me cry.”
  • humor871 mentions

    The humor in "A Short Hike" is widely praised for its charm and wit, with many players finding the dialogue both funny and heartwarming. The interactions with quirky NPCs often elicit genuine laughter, blending lightheartedness with relatable themes, making the game a delightful and relaxing experience. Overall, the writing strikes a perfect balance between humor and sincerity, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “It's all very light and fun, and the dialogues perfectly strike a balance of funny/quirky, not too long, and uplifting without being super corny.”
    • “The dialogue is really funny, the music is soothing, and the character development through world discovery hits.”
    • “The characters are fun and some of the dialogue had me chuckling.”
    • “I mostly make unfunny jokes and call it a review or something super generic.”
  • atmosphere544 mentions

    The atmosphere of "A Short Hike" is widely praised for its serene and cozy vibe, enhanced by beautiful pixel art, a soothing soundtrack, and charming character interactions. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a relaxing environment that encourages exploration at one's own pace, reminiscent of beloved titles like Animal Crossing. The dynamic weather and area-specific music further enrich the immersive experience, making it a delightful escape for those seeking a peaceful gaming experience.

    • “Hawk Peak Island is a beautiful place; this game has such a serene and cozy vibe. The music and atmosphere feel tranquil, and you can go at your own pace and explore.”
    • “The dynamic weather and time-of-day changes further enhance the atmosphere, making the world feel alive and inviting.”
    • “The atmosphere is rich and vivid, the music excellent, the graphics incredible with options to change the pixelation of the entire visual style. Exploring the world was interesting, and the story unforgettable and moving.”
    • “The atmosphere is really thick in this game.”
    • “While having a near nonexistent story, the gameplay and level design are so committed to providing a relaxed atmosphere that the only way you could be more comfy is if you played it stoned in a large recliner.”
    • “If you find the mysterious, dark and eerie atmosphere more captivating, provocative and edgy dialogue more interesting, like me, I would give this game more like an 85%.”
  • replayability127 mentions

    *A Short Hike* offers a mixed bag in terms of replayability. While the main storyline can be completed in just a few hours, players appreciate the freedom to explore, engage in side quests, and pursue achievements, which can enhance the experience. However, many reviews note that the game lacks significant replay value beyond these activities, making it more suited for casual, relaxing play rather than extensive replay sessions.

    • “While *A Short Hike* can be completed in a couple of hours, its replay value lies in the freedom it gives you to explore and experience the game in different ways.”
    • “Calming and fun to play, with near infinite replayability.”
    • “Easy to use controls, entertaining characters, fulfilling all the quests and fish list, beating personal bests at the mini games - all add to the high replay value that *A Short Hike* provides.”
    • “There is absolutely no replay value, but if you can handle that, you get probably one of the most wholesome moments you'll ever experience in a video game.”
    • “It's quite short, which is the main downside: you can complete the main storyline in just a few hours and it's not really built for replayability.”
    • “Overall, it's a cute and short game to spend your time on, but it might get boring soon and lacks replay value unless you aim to complete all the achievements.”
  • grinding96 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be minimal and often enjoyable, with many appreciating the relaxed exploration and charming world. While some aspects, particularly achievement hunting and certain collectibles, can feel tedious, the game allows for completion without extensive grinding, making it accessible for those who prefer a more casual experience. The balance between engaging gameplay and light grinding contributes to a satisfying adventure without overwhelming players with repetitive tasks.

    • “Lots of characters to interact with and a cute general theme, there's lots of exploring to do but not too grindy. I would highly recommend it if you want a relaxing little game where you don't need to think too much or worry about doing something wrong.”
    • “There's no tedious fetch quests, no long stretches of empty landscape with no use.”
    • “There's various minigame things you can find around the island, shortcuts and secrets, etc. There are also various sets of collectibles, but they're nice to find and aren't grindy or boring.”
    • “I'm trying to platinum it though and it's not hard, but it's becoming very tedious.”
    • “My only complaints are that some achievements (especially fishing) were tedious to get and I don't get to experience this game for the first time ever again.”
    • “There are a fair number of quests that could still be done, but it got a little too grindy for me.”
  • character development48 mentions

    Character development in the game is minimal, focusing more on charming character designs and engaging dialogue rather than deep storytelling. Players appreciate the unique and cute character designs, often inspired by animal traits, which contribute to a delightful atmosphere and memorable interactions through simple sidequests. Overall, the game excels in creating endearing connections with NPCs, enhanced by its beautiful art style and soothing music, making the experience enjoyable and relaxing.

    • “Even though the game keeps story and character development to a bare minimum, you still establish interesting connections with NPCs via simple side quests that are all summarized at the end of your journey.”
    • “I loved this game, wonderful storytelling with adorable character design.”
    • “Even though the game keeps story and character development to a bare minimum, you still establish interesting connections with NPCs via simple sidequests that are all summarized at the end of your journey.”
    • “This game shows you can make character development in less time than cooking dinner.”
    • “The simplicity of the character designs, the variation from zone to zone, the ambient sound design.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its solid optimization, running smoothly even on lower-end hardware, with many players reporting no performance issues during their playthroughs. However, a few users noted occasional stutters when transitioning to new areas, despite their systems exceeding the game's requirements. The low-poly graphics and engaging gameplay contribute to a generally positive performance experience.

    • “The game is well optimized and light.”
    • “It's very affordable, short and sweet, and runs smoothly even on weaker computers so you should definitely check it out :)”
    • “And in addition, it's very well optimized, so it lets me play it also on my basic Intel i5 laptop.”
    • “Edit: should mention the one downside - noticed some performance issues (very occasional stutters, seems to be when moving to new areas) on my machine (which should far exceed the requirements for this game).”
    • “This camera does not improve performance, but simply gives a stylized look for the game.”
    • “[h1]performance/bug related incidents[/h1]”
  • stability22 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is praised, with many users reporting a smooth experience and minimal to no bugs or glitches encountered. While some minor camera issues were noted, they did not significantly detract from gameplay, and regular updates seem to maintain the game's performance. Players generally feel that the game runs well, even on platforms like the Steam Deck.

    • “Very relaxing and runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “No glitches that I know of.”
    • “The camera can be buggy.”
    • “This game let me do exactly what I like to do in games (just run and jump around, often to the point of producing game-breaking glitches) without ever running into a depressingly blank area that makes me acutely aware that I am in a simulation.”
    • “Buggy, but still playable.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as straightforward and honest, with players appreciating the lack of misleading advertising. The game delivers exactly what it promises—a brief, relaxing experience—without excessive monetization tactics.

    • “They're more of an advertisement rather than a game.”
    • “A short hike is exactly as it's advertising: a short hike.”
    • “It is short (thankful for truth in advertising), but might be the most relaxing game I've ever played.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

Buy A Short Hike

Play time

5hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
2hMain story
5hCompletionist
3-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 94 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News