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A Short Hike similar games & best alternatives

A Short Hike

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Linux • 2019

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Quick resume

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.

Global score

99/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie

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    Pros

    • Relaxing and stress-relieving gameplay
    • Charming art style and music
    • Freedom to explore at own pace
    • Engaging and humorous npc interactions
    • Short but meaningful experience with replay value

    Cons

    • Short overall length
    • Some camera control issues
    • Keyboard and mouse controls less optimal than controller
    • Lack of deeper gameplay complexity
    • Minor motion sickness for some players

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

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      "Players freely explore the island, choose their own pace, and decide which quests and activities to engage in without pressure or fixed routines."

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    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      2

      "The game involves platforming and movement challenges that require skill, but overall difficulty is low and forgiving."

      Capsule for Himno Himno

      "The game offers satisfying movement mechanics and some skill-based challenges like races and platforming, but overall the difficulty is low and accessible."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

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      "Focus is on personal exploration and enjoyment without competitive elements or leaderboards."

      Capsule for The Henry Stickmin Collection The Henry Stickmin Collection

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    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

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      "Players report replaying the game multiple times and enjoying extended engagement with characters and story."

      Capsule for Fear the Spotlight Fear the Spotlight

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    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

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      "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

      Capsule for Resonance of the Ocean Resonance of the Ocean

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    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players can explore and interact with environment, but no creation or modification mechanics."

      Capsule for Rental Rental

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    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

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      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are friendly and equal."

      Capsule for Carto Carto

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    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Strongly emphasized as a meditative, relaxing experience that helps players escape real-life stress."

      Capsule for Book of Travels Book of Travels

      "Strongly emphasized as a relaxing, stress-relieving experience that helps players escape real-life worries."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

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      "Players engage voluntarily for personal enjoyment and relaxation without obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Midori no Kaori Midori no Kaori

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    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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      "Encourages exploration and trying different paths, though gameplay routines are somewhat established."

      Capsule for Kona Kona

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    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

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      "Core motivation is discovering new locations, secrets, and interacting with unique NPCs in a large, open world."

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      "Core motivation is discovering new areas, secrets, and interacting with diverse NPCs across the island."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Character and environment designs are distinctive and expressive, though player customization is minimal or absent."

      Capsule for Subway Midnight Subway Midnight

      "Some customization of visual settings and player movement style, but no character or environment customization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

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      "Cute anthropomorphic characters and whimsical setting provide light fantasy elements."

      Capsule for Mirth Melody Mirth Melody

      "Features anthropomorphic bird characters and whimsical world, blending light fantasy with a naturalistic setting."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

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      "Players build friendships and romantic relationships with NPCs, fostering a sense of community."

      Capsule for Potion Permit Potion Permit

      "Players form emotional connections with NPCs and enjoy their stories, creating a sense of community within the game world."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players gain new abilities and upgrades, learning to navigate the world and improve traversal."

      Capsule for Vomitoreum Vomitoreum

      "Players improve traversal abilities by collecting feathers and learn about characters and the world through exploration."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

      Capsule for Terror At Oakheart Terror At Oakheart

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention; players engage in active gameplay rather than idle play."

      Capsule for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

      "Requires active engagement and attention; players are encouraged to explore and interact rather than idle."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      3

      "Romance and friendship systems foster emotional connections with NPCs, though limited multiplayer intimacy."

      Capsule for Sun Haven Sun Haven

      "Meaningful interactions with NPCs foster emotional warmth and connection, though no deep relationships are formed."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is focused on individual progression."

      Capsule for Cowboy Life Simulator Cowboy Life Simulator

      "No leadership or management roles; gameplay is focused on individual exploration."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Progression through levels and worlds by collecting feathers and unlocking new puzzles."

      Capsule for Munin Munin

      "Progression through collecting feathers and unlocking movement abilities, as well as completing quests."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      5

      "Widely praised for its calming atmosphere, soothing music, and stress-relieving gameplay."

      Capsule for Monument Valley Monument Valley

      "Highly praised for its calming atmosphere, soothing music, and stress-relieving gameplay."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Vibrant visuals and pleasant soundtrack provide enjoyable sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Trine Enchanted Edition Trine Enchanted Edition

      "Enjoyable visual style and dynamic soundtrack provide pleasant sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; focus is on personal experience."

      Capsule for Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul

      "No social recognition or status systems; focus is on personal experience."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "A simple but touching narrative unfolds through gameplay and dialogue, adding emotional depth."

      Capsule for Urban Jungle Urban Jungle

      "Simple but touching narrative with character development and emotional moments."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      -2

      "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; gameplay is straightforward and simple."

      Capsule for Flower Flower

      "Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; gameplay is straightforward and accessible."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      -3

      "Low risk and tension; experience is calm rather than suspenseful."

      Capsule for Monument Valley Monument Valley

      "Low risk and tension; the experience is calm and controlled rather than suspenseful."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players feel the game offers excellent value for price with quality content and replayability."

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      "Players feel the game offers excellent value for its price and playtime, especially given its quality and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No violence or combat; gameplay focuses on exploration, puzzle solving, and friendly interactions."

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      "No violence or combat; gameplay focuses on exploration and interaction."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      -5

      "No survival mechanics or threats; environment is safe and stable."

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    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Thrill, Strategy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026