If you’ve got an hour or two and a tiny sliver of energy left, this might be the best way to spend it. Not because it’s life-changing or profound or any of those words that make everything sound like a TED talk. Just because it’s small and kind and doesn’t ask for more than you’ve got.
I played A Short Hike in one sitting on a rainy Sunday afternoon and felt noticeably lighter afterwards. That’s not a marketing claim. It’s just what happened.
What it is
You’re a small bird visiting a provincial park. There’s a mountain you can climb if you want to. Along the way you meet friendly animals, find feathers that help you fly higher, and generally just exist on a pleasant island for a couple of hours. Nothing is mandatory. Nothing punishes you for being slow or going the wrong way.
Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Takes one to two hours.
Why it helps when you’re running on empty
A Short Hike is tiny and has no urgency. You explore at your own pace, talk to whoever you feel like talking to, and the whole thing wraps up before it outstays its welcome. There’s a moment near the top of the mountain that earns itself completely, and then it’s done. No bloat. No filler. Just a good, small thing.
For when you’ve got a tiny bit left and want to spend it well.
