A Short Hike Reviews

A Short Hike is ranked in the 96th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Jul 28, 2019

Developer Adam Robinson-Yu began developing A Short Hike when he was feeling burned out working on another project. It's fitting, then, that what began as an act of self-care for the game's developer has blossomed into a welcome respite from the modern world that everyone should experience.

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9 / 10
Aug 7, 2019

A truly special and intelligent game, one that takes its genre --the often infamous "walking simulator"-- to new heights.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

85 / 100
Apr 14, 2020

The saying goes: big perfumes in small bottles. With its special and welcoming proposal, A Short Hike offers exploration, a stimulating environment, calm and a great charisma in its places, characters and situations. A simple-looking game that keeps a caring and loving engine under the hood of its experience of just over two hours, in a journey that many will want to extend and return in more moments, as happens with the special corners of our lives.

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4.5 / 5.0
Jul 13, 2020

A Short Hike stayed in my backlog for far too long, but the truth is, there wasn’t a better time than now to play it. With quarantine canceling many summer vacations, those of us trapped in urban jungles have likely been longing for the beauty of the wild outdoors. Even in its low-poly form, A Short Hike delivers on the experience, healing players in a way that only the feel of nature can.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2020

A Short Hike is short and sweet, just like a tiny chocolate bar. You know that each bite will be worth it, but the experience definitely lasts for a short time. Going beyond a "mere" video game, A Short Hike resembles a poem or an interactive work of art at different times, while still managing to be a legitimately fun game in the process.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Loved
Sep 7, 2020

Although A Short Hike is — as the name suggests — a rather short game, its combination of humour and emotion captures the player in a way that many AAA games fail to. If you’ve got a spare $10 and a couple of hours to kill, definitely pick up A Short Hike for the Nintendo Switch!

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Loved
Sep 10, 2020

A Short Hike offers a wholesome experience for a small price. Though the game is short, it’s worth every penny. Put yourself in Claires shoes (do bluebirds wear shoes?) and explore this lovely landscape. Meet all kinds of characters and help them in their quest. Most of all: glide through the air, truly as free as a bird!

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Liked
Aug 25, 2020

Chill, relaxed and, like the name suggests, short.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Jan 20, 2021

No pun intended, A Short Hike’s main hike up to the summit of Hawk Peak is brief, taking only around 1-2 hours to complete. Despite a short storyline, there are plenty of side quests and activities to explore off the beaten path. Moreover, the game provides a tranquil and low-stress experience with the aid of flight and a beautiful soundtrack. In short, A Short Hike is worth exploring as a way to get away and unwind from a busy world and its cell phone signals.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 19, 2020

When you play A Short Hike to its fullest you receive a wholesome experience. This is a positive game with positive characters and positive metaphors that I will admit are a bit on the nose.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 16, 2021

I truly cannot recommend A Short Hike enough. The trailer is both misleading and yet also tells you exactly what you can expect. The experience you have and what you’ll get out of it is up to you. If you skimp on the side stuff and only focus on getting to the top of the mountain, then you’ll probably feel disappointed, especially since you can do so in under an hour. If you take your time fully exploring the island and helping the locals, then you’ll discovery a surprisingly rich and rewarding experience. A Short Hike is a journey you won’t soon forget.

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4 / 5.0
Apr 29, 2022

If you’re looking for a game like Animal Crossing, you have found it. If you’re looking to spend a few hours on an experience that will stick with you, this is your game. Even though there is almost nothing to return to after you finish it, A Short Hike is a great experience that is well worth the four hours of your life.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 18, 2020

We’ve truly been blessed over the past 6 months or so with a strong run of generally bite-sized exploratory adventures that focus far more on the wonder of nature and discovery than the normal more action-oriented fare typically out there...

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9.5 / 10.0
Aug 22, 2020

It's perfect for new players, looking to play something for a short while, but also respects experienced players by giving them the freedom to play the game however they choose. The charm the game brings to the table is reason enough for me to return time and time again to this world. It's a feel-good zenlike game and I'm so incredibly happy that I can now return to this world at any time on the Switch. Finally it is only A Short Hike away.

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GameGrin
Tucker Hazell
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Aug 30, 2020

A Short Hike is a tightly-crafted, charming, and heart-warming game that comes in a bite-sized package for a delightfully low price.

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Cubed3
Nayu
Top Critic
9 / 10
Sep 26, 2020

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. It's a game to relax with before bed, or when life stresses need a calming outlet to reset one's inner harmony. Helping out illegal campers has never been so fun!

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B+
Dec 2, 2020

Though A Short Hike doesn’t bring much new to the table (many elements will feel similar to Journey, Celeste, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing, or Stardew Valley), the game combines familiar mechanics so well that A Short Hike, despite a few small drawbacks, is a well put together, relaxing game you shouldn’t miss out on.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Nov 17, 2021

If you enjoy casual adventuring and games that you can take at your own pace, A Short Hike is not to be missed. It may be short in name and in nature, but every moment you spend with it will warm your soul. Don’t rush to the finish line – enjoy the journey and make the most of what you discover along the way. It’s a life lesson we should all take to heart.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 24, 2020

A Short Hike is a game the whole family can love. It's an homage to classics while still very much it's own release. There is much to explore, fun characters to interact with, and the entirety of the title just had me smiling. Carve out a couple of hours in your day, curl up with some 'Strawberries and Toast,' and give A Short Hike a play. You won't regret it.

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80%
Nov 23, 2021

A Short Hike is a wonderfully chill little game that can easily be finished in the space of an afternoon, combining clever traversal mechanics with a lo-fi visual style and a very relatable protagonist. If you’ve got a couple of hours to kill over a weekend, or after a stressful day of work, A Short Hike is an easy recommendation.

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