Grade: A
A lovely, refreshing jaunt through an adorable world.
We begin with Claire, our bird-person protagonist, arriving at an island with her Aunt May. After settling in, Claire is worried about her mom and wants to check-in. There’s a problem, though. Claire’s cell phone reception is crud from the base of the island. When asking around, Claire learns that the best place to get cell reception is at the top of the mountain. Therefore, Claire sets a lofty goal to take the harrowing journey all the way to the top of Hawk’s Peak.
Explore at your leisure
Soon, as you begin to walk around, you find that the island is completely open for exploration. You can go at your own pace, and there are no hard timelines or blaring sirens of doomsday alarm. This game is CHILL! As you explore, you will find unique objects and coins that are hidden all over. Furthermore, each person you talk to likely has something interesting to say or a quest to give.
Outside of the exploration itself and the main quest of climbing the peak, there are all sorts of mini-games. First, you can play Beachstickball (volleyball with a stick). Alternatively, you can try your hand at Mountain Parkour (racing). Likewise, try out your patience with fishing. Lastly, you can even go motor boating. Of course, many of these side quests can also land you golden feathers, which help you get up the mountain.
Flying is for the birds
In addition to the exploration, the flight mechanic takes a starring role in “A Short Hike.” You can dive and swoop for speed while gliding, and it is an incredibly intuitive system to pick up. Around the map, you collect golden feathers as you complete quests. You start to learn that golden feathers give you better flight powers, which unlock new areas. I found the golden feathers to be a wonderfully designed mechanic.
By the end of the game, you will be a flight master and likely have 12 or more golden feathers. The payoff at the end of the game is amazing when you finally arrive at Hawk’s Peak. Beyond the sweet conclusion to the main story, you get to hit an updraft and glide all the way around the island from the very tippy top. I loved every second of the 2-3 minute glide from the top of Hawk’s Peak to the bottom of the island.
Overall, “A Short Hike” is what a video game would look like if Mister Rogers created it. I mean that as a high compliment. The game is engaging, sweet, and reminds you to slow down and enjoy your life. Get away from the hubbub, melt your anxiety away, and pick up “A Short Hike”!
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