A Short Hike

 Switch
A Short Hike Image
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 194 Ratings

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  • Summary: Follow the marked trails or explore the backcountry as you make your way to the summit. Along the way, meet other hikers, discover hidden treasures, and take in the world around you. Explore the island any way you like. Choose your own path to follow and see where it leads you. You neverFollow the marked trails or explore the backcountry as you make your way to the summit. Along the way, meet other hikers, discover hidden treasures, and take in the world around you. 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.

    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Gaming Age
    Nov 30, 2020
    100
    A Short Hike really is a perfect experience. It’s easily one of the best games I’ve played this year, and I loved every single moment.
  2. NintendoWorldReport
    Aug 24, 2020
    95
    A Short Hike is a game I can recommend to anyone without hesitation. 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.
  3. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Dec 21, 2020
    95
    A Short Hike is a small but fully realised world: packed with great characters and emotional moments. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon. [Issue #2, p.56]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Pure Nintendo
    Aug 25, 2020
    90
    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.
  5. GameSpot
    Aug 31, 2020
    90
    Many games often aspire to deliver more, sometimes bartering in dizzying excesses--be it in high-octane action or through big, sweeping narratives that thrust you into a heroic position. But it's the diminutive tales and everyday experiences of A Short Hike that give the game its comforting, even pastoral allure. It's about seeking quiet communion with nature even as you make your umpteenth hike towards the peak, or finding contentment in stumbling upon tinier, quaint scenes. It proposes that even the smallest and most mundane of vignettes can be as enthralling as grandiose universes and narratives of more ambitious games. As I embark on yet another leisurely trek after ascending the summit of Hawk Peak, I can't help but heartily agree.
  6. GameCritics
    Sep 8, 2020
    85
    A Short Hike is a simple, small, straightforward experience that delivers a truckload of charm via the simple pleasure of exploring a mountainside without punishment or negative consequence. It does what it does well, and the experience ends exactly the way it should, exactly when it should. Well done!
  7. Metro GameCentral
    Aug 19, 2020
    80
    An utterly charming and perfectly paced mini-adventure that packs in more character, emotion, and sense of wonder than most 30 hour epics.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 82
  3. Negative: 4 out of 82
  1. Caetano1501
    Aug 20, 2020
    10
    A magical journey in a world that mixes Animal Crossing and Breath of the Wild. The experience is extremely relaxing and rewarding. I wasA magical journey in a world that mixes Animal Crossing and Breath of the Wild. The experience is extremely relaxing and rewarding. I was expecting an ok game and was surprised with a hidden gem.… Expand
  2. swampthings
    Dec 30, 2020
    10
    This is an amazing game. The game itself is very short. I think you can finish it in about an hour easily. It's very relaxing...this gameThis is an amazing game. The game itself is very short. I think you can finish it in about an hour easily. It's very relaxing...this game actually follows through on the promise of being a relaxing game.

    It's basically you climbing up a mountain, and then finding and earning feathers so that you can fly around, and flying is crucial for reaching the very top of the mountain.

    Initially the graphics are really bad, but you can fix it in the settings. Some people may like the weird, low rez graphics. I've already played through twice, and I'll probably play through it again a time or two.    … Expand
  4. rebster
    Dec 21, 2021
    10
    Wow... Just finished playing it. This game is transcendent. It is literally a form of therapy, while I was playing I was so distracted by theWow... Just finished playing it. This game is transcendent. It is literally a form of therapy, while I was playing I was so distracted by the beautiful style of the game, the amazing music, the many villagers and their mini games and quests, and above all my mission to reach the peak. I will definitely replay this game whenever I'm feeling down. The ending moved me to tears and it just makes you feel so warm inside. Don't be thrown off by the price to hours played ratio... I promise you it is worth it!!!!… Expand
  5. g-o-r-o
    Aug 21, 2020
    9
    Knows exactly what it wants to be and executes it amazingly. The world is tiny but feels massive, flying around is amazingly fun andKnows exactly what it wants to be and executes it amazingly. The world is tiny but feels massive, flying around is amazingly fun and intuitive, and the NPC dialogue is hilarious. The art style is amazing, and even if you dislike the DS look, you can change the pixel size so that it looks more modern (although i found the default style much more charming). A mix of Animal Crossing, Breath of the Wild, and Pikuniku. My only gripe is that the fixed camera can be annoying, as you have very little control over it. Overall, a great, relaxing, fun game perfect for the switch.… Expand
  6. lowey
    Oct 12, 2021
    9
    This is such a lovely little game. Heartwarming, and with a unique art style. Initially I found myself wondering what the point was, but giveThis is such a lovely little game. Heartwarming, and with a unique art style. Initially I found myself wondering what the point was, but give it a couple of hours and you will start being drawn in. The ending was gorgeous. Highly recommended.… Expand
  7. JRice
    Jan 3, 2021
    8
    Extremely short and simple, and i was painfully missing an ingame map, but still, made with love and passion, and a nice and reaxingExtremely short and simple, and i was painfully missing an ingame map, but still, made with love and passion, and a nice and reaxing experience...
    Also, +1 score for being completely free of violence, and for allowing the player an extreme amount of freedom and exploration.    … Expand
  8. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    0
    this game is not good. very lazy gameplay. the game is not fun and not interactive.

See all 82 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Switch Game of 2020
14
#14 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

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