Official Score
Overall - 70%
70%
There’s not much to Hike Trip, but there doesn’t need to be. For those who enjoy relaxing during a real life hike, Hike Trip manages to hit that same vein. It might be difficult to ask a gamer to enjoy the journey more than the destination, but those with an open mind that are willing to tune out for a respite will have a good time here.
An open world awaits in Morning Shift Studios’ Hike Trip, a walking simulator that has players exploring a forest less traveled. Should players pack their bags for this adventure, or is this rural adventure a bit too slow?
Hike Trip Review
Hearing great things about a little island with lush autumnal hues, players will set their sights for a wild yonder full of trees, shrubs, and other grand spectacles of nature. The world is yours to behold, and players can see it at the pace that strikes their fancy. There’s even a pristine blue lake far off in the distance!
However, one does not simply have to take in the sights in this immersive walking simulator; one can also knock things off of a checklist. hit a number of objectives on their hike. These include the production yard, campsite, bonepile, pavilion party, car factory, “safety hazard,” and cottage.
Most people think of hikes as a linear path, but the world of Hike Trip is yours to explore in all of its glory. Things can be done out of order, and the whole experience is done to make sure players get absorbed into its world – much like a real hike would play out.
For the achievement hunters out there, this would be a dream come true – there’s even achievements tied to each locale that one is able to uncover. However, those less keen on moving from one thing to the next might be less inclined to take this one on.
In a sense, this title is more about the journey than the destination. Hike Trip is designed for players to get absorbed into its world and see the sights, rather than rush from one objective to the next. Speedrunners will be disappointed when the title ends in a scant 20 minutes, but those who are willing to go with the flow will enjoy moving from one area to the next. There is a clear way to finish the game, but that is not the clear objective of this title.
Thankfully, the presentation found in Hike Trip is well worth the trip. There’s not much to this title; it is far from a graphical powerhouse. However, it does have a lively palate and really jumps out at the player. The audio cues are on point as well, with birds chirping and a soft soundtrack to really get players in tune, and everything is recorded in good enough quality. It’s a feel-good title through and through.
There’s not much to Hike Trip, but there doesn’t need to be. For those who enjoy relaxing during a real life hike, Hike Trip manages to hit that same vein. It might be difficult to ask a gamer to enjoy the journey more than the destination, but those with an open mind that are willing to tune out for a respite will have a good time here.
