This month’s featured game is A Short Hike by Adam Robinson-Yu!
If you’re looking for something simple and comforting to close out the year, A Short Hike is exactly the kind of soul-soothing adventure you need.
Set in Hawk Peak Provincial Park, the game follows Claire as she makes her way to the summit peak, but the heart of the experience lies in everything that happens along the way.
The island invites exploration, encourages detours, and offers a simple, restorative calm energy that’s easy to sink into.
My favourite part of A Short Hike is how naturally it invites you to explore. There are far more little side quests than you expect at first — fishing, treasure hunting, and helping characters you meet along the way.
The game never pushes you through the main storyline. Instead, it gives you room to slow down, take a breath, and move at your own pace.
Plus, I love that this indie game is by a Canadian creator from Toronto!
The art style plays a huge role in the game’s calm atmosphere. It’s soft, simple, and fits the pace perfectly.
The writing has a great sense of humour too, and each character you meet feels distinct, with their own small stories to share. All of these pieces give the game a lot more texture than you’d expect.
Overall, A Short Hike is a short, steady adventure that’s easy to sink into and even easier to enjoy. It blends exploration, light humour, and a calm atmosphere in a way that feels completely effortless — and it’s quickly become one of my all-time favourite cozy games!
Tips & Tricks
- Try to find your compass ASAP; it will help you immensely with navigating the island.
- You can complete the main storyline and still go back to finish all your extra tasks.
- There are a total of 22 Feathers to collect: 20 Golden and 2 Silver. Some feathers can only be obtained once you have 8+ collected.
- Looking to fully complete the game? Check out this guide from Node Gamers, it includes everything you’ll need, from all the collectable trophies to a map to help guide your exploration!
Game Trailer
What’s on your wish list this holiday season? Any games you are hoping to see go on sale to kick off the 2026 season? Let me know in the comments!
Cozy Girl Games 
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