A Short Hike

Developer: adamgryu
Release: Jul 30th 2019
Platforms:
Adventure
Indie
Charming
Relaxing
Cozy
Polished
Short
A Short Hike Poster

A Short Hike Review

A Short Hike is a charming, cozy, and heartwarming exploration game that invites players to embark on a gentle journey up Hawk Peak mountain to get mobile signal. Despite its short length, typically around 2-3 hours for the main story, the game offers a dense, handcrafted world filled with engaging NPCs, delightful side quests, and satisfying traversal mechanics like climbing and gliding. The pixel art style is visually appealing, with an option to adjust pixelation, complemented by a soothing and well-placed soundtrack that enhances the relaxing atmosphere.

Players appreciate the game's intuitive controls, smooth movement, and rewarding exploration that encourages curiosity rather than rushing to the destination. The narrative is simple but effective, focusing on growth, friendship, and enjoying the journey. This game is praised for its polished design, memorable characters, and the ability to provide a peaceful, joyful experience that resonates emotionally with many players.

Highlights

Players especially praise the engaging traversal mechanics such as climbing, gliding, and sprinting, which make exploration enjoyable and fluid. The pixel art and customizable graphics receive high marks for their charm and eye-friendly style. The soundtrack is frequently highlighted as soothing and perfectly fitting the game's atmosphere. The storyline, while simple, is appreciated for its warmth and the depth added by interactions with well-written NPCs. Overall, the game is recognized as a that balances relaxation with light challenges.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game's brevity, with some players wishing for a longer experience or more content. A few mention the absence of an in-game map, making navigation occasionally confusing. Some players find certain achievements frustrating, especially those tied to real-world time or specific tasks like fishing. Minor camera issues during fast movement or gliding were noted. Additionally, the main character’s personality did not resonate with all players, and the collectathon elements may feel tedious to some.

Pros

  • Engaging and fluid traversal mechanics like climbing and gliding enhance exploration enjoyment.
  • Charming pixel art style with customizable pixelation options suits different player preferences.
  • Soothing and well-placed soundtrack perfectly complements the relaxing atmosphere.
  • Well-written, memorable NPC dialogues add depth and warmth to the story.
  • Compact, handcrafted world feels dense and rewarding despite its small size.
  • Intuitive and responsive controls provide a smooth gameplay experience.
  • Meaningful theme about growth, friendship, and enjoying the journey.

Cons

  • Relatively short main story leaves some players wanting more content.
  • Lack of an in-game map can make navigation confusing at times.
  • Certain achievements tied to real-world time or specific tasks feel frustrating.
  • Camera sometimes struggles to keep up during fast movement or gliding.
  • Collectathon elements may feel tedious or overwhelming to some players.
  • Main character’s personality did not resonate with all players.
  • Some minor camera angle issues affect platforming precision occasionally.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.

Release Date Jul 30th 2019
Publisher adamgryu
Developer adamgryu
Platforms

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Positive (11,150)
100% Positive 0% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
82