Xbox's new free game is impossible to put down, fans agree

One of the latest free games from Xbox is an absolutely delightful gem that's absolutely impossible to put down, according to fans who were immediately charmed by the adventure.

There are hundreds of free games available on Xbox Game Pass, with new titles being added all the time. It can be a little difficult, then, to keep up with what to play and what to avoid. Certainly, I know I spent a lot of time opening up the Game Pass library on my Xbox Series X, only to scroll through the games without ever actually committing to something.

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One of the newest games to join the service is one that I can heartily recommend, having already played it on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. It's so good, in fact, that I'm definitely going in for round three on Xbox.

Developed by Adam Robinson-Yu, A Short Hike is the very definition of short and sweet. It's a mini open-world indie in which you're tasked with reaching the top of a mountain so you can get reception on your mobile.

How you get to the top of the mountain is largely up to you. There are Golden Feathers to collect which enhance your stamina and climbing ability, making it easy to scale some of the sheer cliff faces higher up. These Feathers can be found scattered around the world, or earned by engaging in fun quests with some of the island's residents. You could spend ten minutes racing a boat around the island, or scouring the beach for coins so you can help pay off a character's student loan.

A Short Hike blends exploration and light puzzle solving with natural, light dialogue and a gorgeous pixellated aesthetic. It's essentially a blend of The Legend Of Zelda and Animal Crossing, and can be beaten in just a handful of hours, making it a perfect Game Pass freebie.

"Played a bit last night super relaxing and lots of exploration," one Reddit user enthused on the Xbox Series X subreddit.

Another agreed: "Yeah I couldn't put it down last night once i started."

It's incredibly easy to inhale A Short Hike in one sitting, but there are plenty of secrets and extras to uncover if you do decide to return once the credits roll. I really can't recommend this one enough. And if after A Short Hike you're still keen on indie games about climbing mountains, I've another banger of a suggestion for you.