a short hike is like that important one-time consumable item you save for the final boss, except instead its a short little game that can instantly turn any one bad day into an amazing one the first time you play it.
This was a delight to watch, the level of detail that goes into these videos is astounding. My absolute favourite part was when Mark was listing off the various artists and soundtracks that inspired him, and the background music shifted to match the style of the artist/soundtrack he was talking about! Such an incredible little detail that adds so much charm to the video!
Those of us who watch RU-vid too much would know that Madz made a video all about video game music. If you’re reading this comment and haven’t seen it, I recommend it :)
A Short Hike is such a special game. I knew there was something that stood out to me about the soundtrack, this was a great video. Brb im gonna go replay the game real quick 👀
This might be my favourite youtube video now. It's cozy, it's extremely honest and it's so cute on top. I know that the animal avatars were brought in because it's about A Short Hike, but having two lil buddies talk to each other on screen did SO much for the video
I could probably listen to the music of this gem being talked over for at least an hour or so. The soundtrack of a short hike actually got me to go to a point with a nice view and soundtrack and just put down the controller for a solid few minutes while I just took in the scenery. I cannot point to a specific thing that really struck me, but this is because I was not paying attention to any interlockings of this game, but just enjoyed it as a whole. It has become one of my favorites for relaxing and enjoying a short hike in a time when I'm unable to. Thank you Scruffy for giving the game more attention and thanks to Mark and Adam for making this game!
I decided to not write my original reply because I thought you where sleeping because I saw your profile picture, I also forgot what I was originally gonna say.
A Short Hike is such a beautiful game and the score fits it perfectly. I remember the first time I started flying after having wandered to a remote side of the island, and the flying layer swelling and swelling cemented itself in my brain immediately. Also, the Shimomurian ice theme for the peak is beautiful. Thanks Scruffy and Mark for digging into the soundtrack!
ive been waiting so long for scruffy to do a video on a short hike, and it was well worth it. i also love the detail of your character being black with a white outline, as thats how you usually make your what i love videos. thank you, scruffy :)
1:13 The main theme of A Short Hike ("Beach Buds") did sound strongly reminiscent of "Promise of the World", the ending song of Howl's Moving Castle by Joe Hisaishi
That's actually an incredible technique! I don't know if I've heard of any game crafting multiple distinct songs through layering quite like this before. I was kind of blown away when Mark was explaining the system.
This game made me very happy, I've spent countless hours walking around aimlessly after completing it just to listen to the music alone. That little melody makes me feel a huge sense of comfort every time I hear it. Thank you very much for helping me connect with this cozy feeling.
My all time favourite vinyl record is the soundtrack for A Short Hike and it sits front and centre in my collection. With this video I can concisely show people how it’s earned that spot. Thanks Scruffy!
I really like how Scruffy's goat is stylized in the same way that his videos usually are (solid black background with white lining), even though the surroundings are in a different style
I had a similar experience of wonder with the music : I was exploring and heard the music change to something dramatically more percussive and engaging, and sure enough, I was just arrived at the fish guy ! I felt so good being hinted by the music that something interesting was around
impressive that this guy can remember what plays in certain areas, I can recognize areas based on the memorable parts but the less memorable layers of the song I never noticed
This is one of the most brilliant pieces of sound design and uses of music I’ve ever seen! Props to the composer for thinking of this bit of auditory genius. Scruffy, you did a brilliant job of laying this all out so clearly and in such detail for us. Very nice work as usual.
My first video was about “A short hike”. This game is a fat jam, and the fact that my favorite music RU-vid guy covered the game, with the composer no less, is really amazing. Good job :)
Wow, this video and interview is just fantastic. The effort put into the presentation is just insane. It's a shame this video seems to have been kinda buried by the RU-vid algorithm, I found it very enlightening and downright pleasant.
I recently played this game and I loved it so much! glad you made a video about the music because I noticed a lot of the little changes, it was a beautiful game.
I actually started watching this video, decided to pause, bought A Short Hike, played through the entire game and resumed the video. I recommend the game to everyone!
Jesus christ, The visuals on this one are ludicrously good. The pixel art is really fluid and expressive for what it does and the water brush picture of the opening area was a joy to look at. Keep up the good work and have a nice day.
Mark Sparling is such an inspiration. I had hoped to meet him in 2020, but ... this whole thing in the world happened. Looking forward to it in the future.
Wow this was a great video! It was very interesting learning about the way the music creates a mental map in your head and the visuals of video are great. Keep up the good work!!
thanks to this video I a) heard about the game at all, b) stopped the video to go buy and play it immediately, c) finished watching this video with a better appreciation of what I'd just experienced. Thank you!
I just bought and played this game yesterday and man,,, the way music is incorporated into this game is just one the most ingenious uses of music I've ever heard, period. I feel bad I didn't play it sooner, I've been raving to everyone for the past 24 hours and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. If you're reading this and you haven't played it yet, please do yourself a favor and pick it up.
A short hike is such a lovely game, I absolutely loved playing it. And hearing about Marks approach is really helpful for me as I am learning to make the music for my game.
I've done everything there is to do on this game - and I still just enjoy running and flying around the island, and this music is part of the reason why. Bravo!
I got the game as soon as I finished the video, very lucky that it was on sale at that very moment! I just finished the game less than a minute ago and... for some reason, going to take that nap, cutting the the credits, the music at the end, all so simple yet it made me cry absolutely beautiful game T~T glad I saw this video
The only thing i noticed about the music games are the way the music changed before you even get to the location And after i play my second run The subareas musicals really hits this time!
These videos are so good. It's so good to hear the original artist explain their work when it's so important. Music is so easily overlooked but so important
This complex system of sounds and melody combined with the actual amazing music is why a short hike is one of the very few games I don't disable music on
What a charming video! It is superbly paced and has remarkably intriguing content. Your voice is so relaxing and soft on the ears. I'm so glad I found this channel!
My partner asked me to play this game with them and I absolutely loved it. While at first it seemed like a little distraction and nothing more, it actually became a treasure hunt for experiences. Every bit of this game has something cool, something memorable to find. The goal of the game seems to be much more to experience it, rather than reach the peak. An excellent game that is well worth the money.
gGreat job explaining how the music gives a sense of place, how hearing a familiar sound lets you know you're nearby a familiar place. I think that's a big part of what makes this game so comfy.
This game was a ray of sunshine during a very stressful time in my life, it holds a special place in my heart. I also love dynamic/adaptive music to pieces! Thanks Scruffy and Mark! :)
this video is GOLD! So cool that you have Mark himself in the video! I absolutely love this game and the soundtrack that goes with it. It's one of those soundtracks that sticks in my head even a year after playing it, and I often find myself coming back to it on Spotify when I go for walks or when I work. It's so warm and beautiful.
I don't think there will ever come a day where I get sick of watching your videos. The amount of effort you put into each one is levels about every other video on the site. Please keep doing what you're doing :)
The soundtrack being tied to the location somehow reminded me of a trope that seemed to involve certain supporting/incidental characters having specific background music that plays when they appear and talk.
I love how it feels like Scruffy's voice has been becoming more and more confident. I remember in some of his old videos he sounded like he was sleeping lol
as a huge Sufjan Stevens fan, Mark's pronunciation of his name SENT me - but in all seriousness, this is an amazing video, and what a great album to be inspired by as well
I just finished playing this game. It is one of the most unique and special gaming experiences I’ve had in quite a long time. I’m looking forward to experiencing it again.
I didn't pay that much attention, because these changes in music just Made Sense. Now, as Mark laid it all on the table, I feel much bigger appreciation for the sound work for this game. Very well thought-out implementation.
