A Short Hike

I really wish I had more to say about Adam Gryu’s A Short Hike, but it’s an enjoyable and short exploratory game in which the protagonist, Claire, explores an island and hikes to the summit to get cell reception so she can speak with her mother. It has a bit of an Animal Crossing-inspired aesthetic, but the dialogue is better. It has collectibles here and there, and I enjoyed scouring the island for coins and finding treasure chests and spots to dig. The fly/glide mechanic is relaxing and the game is a pleasure overall. I played for about an hour and a half and as far as I can tell, I explored the entire island and got most of the chests, coins, shells, and gold feathers. I didn’t fish much because I don’t like the mechanic. You need a certain number of gold feathers to get to the top of the mountain and if you don’t find enough you can buy them. Coins are everywhere, some are scattered like breadcrumbs to encourage exploration, so players should have no trouble getting to the summit when they are ready.

This game consistently pops up on Itch.io Bundle for Racial Equality rec lists, but a friend nudged it to the front of my list. I personally consider this game a steal at the $8 retail price, as it is a well-crafted experience. I can see myself returning to it after time passes to enjoy the exploration again, it really hails ‘cozy hiking experience.’