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A Short Hike is a very sweet and serene experience

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Taking a break to go on A Short Hike turned out to be a rather beautiful experience, one that has allowed me to sit back and appreciate the calmer side of life for a moment.

Released on itch.io and Steam at the end of last month, it was previously a Humble Original that was updated with some little extra bits. Since I always try to go back and actually play games we sometimes only do a short news tip on, A Short Hike was high up on my list to make some time for. I'm very glad I did.

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Feature Highlight:

  • Explore the island any way you like. Choose your own path to follow and see where it leads you. You never know what you might stumble into!
  • Hike at your own pace — there’s no need to rush to the summit! Take your time fishing along the river banks or swimming by the lakeshore.
  • Collect hidden treasures to reach new heights. Try taking a dive off the mountain peaks to soar above the forests.
  • Chat with the other hikers you meet along your route. You might be able to help each other out!
  • Listen to a lush original soundtrack by Mark Sparling that progresses dynamically as you explore the wilderness.

If you decide to pick it up and have a Steam Controller, be sure to set the right pad to Joystick Camera as the default doesn't hold your thumb position. Other than that, it was a lovely experience overall.

My favourite part of it has to be that you're able to glide around from a height, I think I must have spent an hour just doing that to explore other little areas and take it all in. Sometimes it's just the simple things right? Especially once you get some golden feathers, enabling you to reach new heights. It's another example of a simple idea done so very well.

Beautiful atmosphere and pacing too, a game that allows you to go at your own pace and explore at your leisure. The funny thing is, I spent two hours exploring before I even decided to actually do the initial trek that's mentioned, there's just so much to see and find.

I got lost a lot, I'll admit that. However, losing your bearings here is pretty rewarding. There's a lot of little things to find, some secrets too for the really keen eye. Perhaps another golden feather to enable you to reach even greater heights, or someone new you missed before who has a little task for you.

The conversations you can have made me chuckle numerous times too, like the seriously intense climber who was adamant it wasn't just the two of them. Another is how you're asked if you like rumours, to which you reply "I dabble". The conversations are short, sweet and never boring.

Need a break? Grab a Tea or Coffee and go on A Short Hike. After playing it, I feel like I need to take a day off and go camping and have a proper explore of my own.

A Short Hike is available on itch.io and Steam.

Hat tip to contributor flesk for my copy.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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11 comments
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Nezchan Aug 29, 2019
I've been kind of procrastinating on picking this up, but I really should. It seems like something I'd enjoy.

Maybe next week...
Eike Aug 29, 2019
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Bought some (mostly) nice and (all) short games lately to be played in the next weeks...
Pan-Pan,
Fire,
The Great Perhaps
... and A Short Hike.
tuubi Aug 29, 2019
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Lovely little game. Definitely worth your time.
Nezchan Aug 29, 2019
Quoting: EikeBought some (mostly) nice and (all) short games lately to be played in the next weeks...
Pan-Pan,
Fire,
The Great Perhaps
... and A Short Hike.

I liked Pan-Pan, but there were some spots that weren't clear enough, both in terms of what you're supposed to do/where you're supposed to go, and how well you can see some stuff. But if you're prepared for that, it's a good game.

I'm not familiar with Fire, and I'm not seeing it on Steam. Anywhere I can check it out?


Last edited by Nezchan on 29 August 2019 at 2:42 pm UTC
tuubi Aug 29, 2019
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Quoting: NezchanI'm not familiar with Fire, and I'm not seeing it on Steam. Anywhere I can check it out?

I think he means this one:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/325520/Fire/
Eike Aug 29, 2019
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Quoting: NezchanI liked Pan-Pan, but there were some spots that weren't clear enough, both in terms of what you're supposed to do/where you're supposed to go, and how well you can see some stuff. But if you're prepared for that, it's a good game.

Thanks, I'm prepared now. :)

Quoting: NezchanI'm not familiar with Fire, and I'm not seeing it on Steam. Anywhere I can check it out?

You'll find it here.

It's, hmm, nice, but it feels more suitable for children, to be honest.
Though with my very limited time it's nice that it has got only small seperated levels, so you can play a single one in say 15 minutes and get to the next one another time.
Nezchan Aug 29, 2019
Quoting: Eike
Quoting: NezchanI liked Pan-Pan, but there were some spots that weren't clear enough, both in terms of what you're supposed to do/where you're supposed to go, and how well you can see some stuff. But if you're prepared for that, it's a good game.

Thanks, I'm prepared now. :)

Quoting: NezchanI'm not familiar with Fire, and I'm not seeing it on Steam. Anywhere I can check it out?

You'll find it here.

It's, hmm, nice, but it feels more suitable for children, to be honest.
Though with my very limited time it's nice that it has got only small seperated levels, so you can play a single one in say 15 minutes and get to the next one another time.

Oh wow, forgot that even existed. I remember taking a look at it ages ago.
Purple Library Guy Aug 29, 2019
I don't have this game, but I do often go on A Short Hike.
Maybe I'll pick it up.
Eike Sep 8, 2019
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Quoting: NezchanI liked Pan-Pan, but there were some spots that weren't clear enough, both in terms of what you're supposed to do/where you're supposed to go, and how well you can see some stuff. But if you're prepared for that, it's a good game.

I feel intimidated now. According to howlongtobeat.com, it should take two, maximum three hours. I played one hour and solved half a puzzle and haven't got a clue about the others...
Nezchan Sep 8, 2019
Quoting: Eike
Quoting: NezchanI liked Pan-Pan, but there were some spots that weren't clear enough, both in terms of what you're supposed to do/where you're supposed to go, and how well you can see some stuff. But if you're prepared for that, it's a good game.

I feel intimidated now. According to howlongtobeat.com, it should take two, maximum three hours. I played one hour and solved half a puzzle and haven't got a clue about the others...

According to Steam it took me about 3 hours, but part of that was an inability to find the entrance to at least one area.
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