When we first started this class, and we had the option to introduce our favorite games, I had to hold back from saying Animal Crossing, knowing full well that my enthusiasm will show through along with the hundreds of hours I have spent just running around catching bugs and planting flowers. I often fall to games like Animal Crossing and Ace Attorney when I want a break from the real world, entering a game landscape that is so comically cute or outrageously comedic that I can forget about the stresses of the day or the 100-page reading I have to do for the following day.
A Short Hike is then suddenly a perfect game. Similar to Animal Crossing, there is an objective, but the player really doesn’t have to complete the tasks to enjoy the game. For example, Claire, the cute, anthropomorphic bird, has an important phone call she needs to take, but there is no cell service. The only place with clear reception is at the top of the mountain, hence causing her short hike to the summit. There is no clear route, nor is there a linear narrative. The player can accomplish any task in any order that they want, and they can still progress in the game. There is a goal to collect all twenty of the golden feather, but A Short Hike has such a relaxed game play, that it is not necessary to find all 20 feathers and still enjoy every part of the game.
The next best part is that there is no risk in A Short Hike. No damage to be taken from suddenly letting go of Z while gliding. No sudden death from drowning. No freezing to death as you climb up the mountain. No consequences for totally messing up your first time fishing and falling into Meteor Lake. This game is entirely about relaxing and getting lost in the fictional campsite, exploring and experimenting with what you can and can’t do. The characters are easy to love, and the setting is absolutely beautiful. It is incredibly hard NOT to get lost in this game.
If you are looking for some relaxation, a fishing rod can be used in ponds and coastal waters. Different fish can be caught, and later recorded by their species and weight. If you explore far enough you will even find the Beachstickball Beachstickball court, where it is so easy to lose track of time, playing the childishly fun conglomeration of badminton, volleyball, and tennis. The animals playing with you are keen to mention that Beachstickball is not a game about winning or losing: it is about having fun.
With that same logic, A Short Hike is just simply about having fun. There is so much to love and adore about A Short Hike–whether it is the characters, the dry humor, the relaxing soundtrack, the beautiful visuals–and it is a game that I wouldn’t mind losing a few hours to.
While I agree that A Short Hike is primarily aimed at relaxation and enjoyment on the part of the player, I disagree a little with the idea that there is no risk involved. Certainly the game has no failure state, but making a mistake can still cause an inconvenience to the player. For example, more than once I accidentally fell while gliding, and had to spend several minutes moving back to my initial position in order to progress to a new region. I also struggled in my attempt to get to the summit of the mountain, as the feather-freezing mechanic near the summit adds a level of challenge to the game. The player may not be required to challenge themselves, but I think there are a few (admittedly mild) challenges available.