A Short Hike

A Short Hike is a short but remarkably pleasant adventure about a trip up Hawk Peak, undertaken by the young bird heroine Claire so she can catch a signal at the summit and call her aunt. The path to the top isn't linear, though – the player can freely explore the island, collect coins to trade for feathers that improve flying and gliding, swim, fish, or simply chat with the island's odd inhabitants, each of whom has their own small story and often a minor side quest that offers further rewards. The game is in no hurry and gives the player room to discover, at their own pace, everything a single small island has to offer, whether it's hidden caves, treasures at the bottom of ponds, or just the views from the surrounding cliffs.

The low-poly visual style, reminiscent of turn-of-the-millennium games, is deliberately simple yet colorful and cozy, accompanied by a soothing piano-and-strings soundtrack that fits the feeling of a summer trip perfectly. On Xbox Series X|S the game arrived some time after its original release on PC and Switch, but the controller controls feel natural, and technically the game places no demands on the console, running stably in high resolution without any stuttering even during fast flight above the island.

Even at its original release, A Short Hike earned great praise for its sensitive pacing, charming world, and ability to evoke a feeling of calm without artificially padding its playtime. It ranks among the titles that prove even a game lasting just a few hours can leave a strong, lasting impression, and it's often recommended as an ideal relaxing experience for players tired of more demanding titles who miss the space to simply wander aimlessly and take their time. Even years later, A Short Hike is often mentioned as one of the most frequently recommended small titles, one that can send players off after a few hours with a smile and the feeling that they spent their time exactly as they should have.

Why play: For players tired of demanding titles who want a relaxing experience without hurry – a few calm hours with a charming world and a lasting impression by the end.