Video games are often seen as something for younger people, and that it is time-consuming. Many adults, or even high schoolers, stops playing games as their life get busier. But, games do not have to be long to provide a good experience. “A short hike” by Adam Robinson-Yu is a prime example of this, offering a beautiful gameplay and a moving story with an average playtime of 1 to 2 hours.
In this game, you play as Clair, a young bird living in a busy town who visits a mountainous island to spend her summer. Longing for cell connection, she embarks on a journey to the peak of the mountain – hence the name “A short hike”. The key mechanic of the game is the collection of “golden feathers”, which allows you to jump in the air and glide multiple times, which will be used to climb steep walls and trees. Throughout the game, you get to interact with various residents of the island, who seem to have a very laid back view in life, enjoying their calm and peaceful life in the island.
This game teaches us something important that we often forget in our life in modernized town. It shows us that sometimes, reconnecting with nature and embracing its beauty is essential for our lives.
