Haven Park is a lovely escape from reality

 When our family saw Haven Park, a indie game about anthropomorphic bird learning to be a park ranger, we figured it would be right up our alley. And we were right.

In Haven Park, you take on the role of Flint, a little yellow bird with a backpack. He is taking over management of the titular Haven Park from grandmother. While there is a storyline, that really isn't the focus of the game. Instead, you wander all over the park, gathering materials and repairing camp sites and other facilities.

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While it's honestly not the main focus, Haven Park has a story. Or, more precisely, it has three story beats, which are enough to give us a sense of who Flint is and what his character arc is about. The resolution of his story arc isn't even remotely surprising but its still sweet and emotionally satisfying.

I'm actually struggling to have a lot to say about Haven Park. There are a couple of side quests but the game is really about wandering around, gathering up stuff to build or repair camp amenities and talk to campers. The game is really about walking around a park. but that's the point. Flint can't die or even get hurt. Instead, you just enjoy a pleasant and lovingly rendered environment.

But that's the point. Haven Park is a cozy game, a relaxing, possibly even healing, experience. part of the Iyashikei genre.

An important milestone in our cozy gaming and in cozy gaming in general was A Short Hike. It is impossible for me not to see Haven Park as a spiritual successor to A Short Hike. A Short Hike is about a young anthropomorphic bird exploring a park while Haven Park is about a anthropomorphic bird learning to take care of a park. They are about different stages of coming-of-age.

That said, A Short Hike is the stronger game. It has a much more focused, often funny, storyline and a lot more activities and side quests. There's just more to do, period. The game has become a classic of the genre for a reason.

Which isn't to say that Haven Park is a bad experience. Comparing it to A Short Hike is comparing it to a peak experience and one that apparently was a game changer for designing cozy games. Haven Park is an excellent escapist experience.

If you are looking for a challenging game, Haven Park is about as far from that as you can get. If you need to gently explore a wilderness with camping facilities, it is perfect.

A Short Hike is a place for healing

 Iyashikei is a genre in Japan that literally means healing. The only reason I know that is because of Animal Crossing. And Animal Crossing has been the video game of choice in our household for the past year.

Which led us to trying out A Short Hike since we had heard it had a similar vibe.

In A Short Hike, you are Claire, an anthropomorphic bird who is spending the summer with her aunt, a park ranger. Claire is waiting for an important phone call but the only place in Hawk Peak Provincial Park is the very top of the highest mountain. 

And climbing that mountain and getting that phone call are rewarding but the park is a pretty big, open sandbox with stuff to find and people to talk to. You can race, play a variation on volleyball, swim, fish and just generally explore. Everyone ranges from pretty nice to really nice and nothing can hurt you. Getting lost is literally the biggest hurdle in the game.

I have to say that the gliding mechanic, which is all about graceful arcs and catching updrafts, is a lot of fun. A decent chunk of my play has been gliding just for the fun of it.

Mechanically, A Short Hike and Animal Crossing are pretty different. A Short Hike is all about stamina management as you earn gold feathers that increases your stamina and complete fetch quests. Animal Crossing is all about gradually developing your environment.

But the games have similar themes. Yes, there are goals and there is work to be done but there is no pressure. You can take your time and enjoy the worlds that the games create. It’s not just escapist but also decompressing and relaxing. That might not work for everyone but it’s been good for us.

Animal  Crossing is a slow, glacial game and I think it takes a year in real time to see things play out. A Short Hike is more like a weekend. I don’t view A Short Hike as a substitute (and I do like Animal Crossing more) but I think it’s a great way to test the waters of Iyashikei.