A Short Hike is an exploration game with resource gathering, light puzzling and a few quests. You play as Claire, an anthropomorphic bird, who travelled to an island with her Aunt May, a local ranger. The goal is to climb Hawk’s Peak, the island‘s mountain and namesake.

Connecting with people along the way is where this game shines. Fuelled by childish naivety and a good heart, Claire’s every interaction is curt but cheerful, helpful and lacks any conflict or aggression. She never judges people, even those ripping her off, with seeming silly superstitions or realising their shortcomings.

A Short Hike does not challenge the player, letting them explore, advance, or backtrack freely. Quests are not tracked in a quest log, reducing pressure to complete them. Most are completed by a keen eye when exploring or chatting honestly and openly to everyone you meet.

Some minigames, like “beachstickball” or parkour sections, require some effort but are optional and fun. Sometimes you just glide over the foggy landscape and relax. The light, upbeat soundtrack supports the cheery atmosphere, and the pixelated art style keeps the game non-serious, almost retro.

A Short Hike is an allegory on life. One may start with a goal (reaching Hawk’s Peak), but life happens on the way. We often need to deviate (such as to acquire golden feathers and learn how to climb, glide or run). We frequently get side-tracked to help others (quests) or satisfy short term goals (the many side paths or shortcuts). While others can appreciate our achievements, introspection determines how important a goal was. Everyone’s journey is different. Perspective and experience help tackle and cushion us from life’s ups and downs.

What elevates A Short Hike is its unashamedly uplifting outlook and minimalist but effective game design. It is a non-challenging and quickly completed (3 hours to see most of it) ray of sunshine that runs counter to the grit, darkness, or moral ambiguity common in modern media.