Haven Park

 Switch
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11

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  1. Nicolicious
    Aug 6, 2021
    8
    While this game is reminiscent of A Short Hike, it is probably more like its poor cousin. Both on an island. Both birds (although here you don't get to fly). Both involve roaming around and collecting things so as to give you more power/skills whilst learning about your environment. But while ASH is constantly lifting you higher and inspiring you to the top (figuratively and literally),While this game is reminiscent of A Short Hike, it is probably more like its poor cousin. Both on an island. Both birds (although here you don't get to fly). Both involve roaming around and collecting things so as to give you more power/skills whilst learning about your environment. But while ASH is constantly lifting you higher and inspiring you to the top (figuratively and literally), Haven Park is more of a meander. There is a goal but it is not as satisfying when you reach it.

    Sadly, the controls are not quite as good, and I don't know why you wouldn't enable camera on the right stick since it's pretty much a standard on most games, so your exploration is a little challenging and mono-dimensional at times. But even though they're a little clumsy, and the game is a little rusty compared to ASH, it is still a lovely, pretty, and fun game to work through. A satisfying set of quests, as well as the main one (restore the holiday park) will keep you entertained for quite a while. It is easy to pick up and drop and not taxing on your brain cells too much. And much like ASH, that cathartic quality is one of its strong points. This is a place to go to chill, have a little fun, and explore. Just like a real holiday.    … Expand
  2. kaylaa
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    There’s nothing bad I can really say about this game, it’s great and I would definitely recommend. Although it has a short story, you can continue exploring and discovering new things! There are some minor bugs here and there, but they aren’t inconvenient and they’re easily avoidable. Definitely buy it if you can
  3. Gxrxtcobuv
    Aug 21, 2021
    10
    Haven Park is an amazing cute little game. Atmosphere is lovely, it's overall very relaxing, and the developer is incredibly fast pushing out bug fixes and updates. They're also very willing to help you out with certain quests in their discord channel. It's a short game, but tons of fun, and for that price, you just can't go wrong either way. You can even catch the freaking fireflies at night!
  4. splineabble
    Aug 30, 2021
    10
    So yeah this is definitely cut from the same cloth as "A Short Hike," but I enjoyed both games equally if for slightly different reasons. I played them within weeks of each other, and of the two, it's "Haven Park" I keep returning to just to start a new game and experience the park again. For one thing, it's just pure eye candy and so beautiful. I'm not talking about pixel style orSo yeah this is definitely cut from the same cloth as "A Short Hike," but I enjoyed both games equally if for slightly different reasons. I played them within weeks of each other, and of the two, it's "Haven Park" I keep returning to just to start a new game and experience the park again. For one thing, it's just pure eye candy and so beautiful. I'm not talking about pixel style or whatever but rather the color palette, characters, and environmental design. For another, it's more emotionally satisfying to me.

    While both games' main quests "end" on an emotionally resonant note, the experience is drastically different. The peak of "A Short Hike" conveys awe, isolation, and (surprisingly) intimacy, as if you've discovered the world's last and most remote phone booth. The peak of "Haven Park" leads to an equally moving encounter, but it also gently encourages you to continue connecting with and helping the enthusiastic park visitors.

    Obviously YMMV on this, but I find that "Haven Park" makes me happier overall. I think it's that message of finding peace and a sense of purpose through service and community that appeals to me. That and the gorgeous visuals.

    Anyway, they're relatively cheap games and pretty short, so if you like one you should definitely play the other. As long as you don't fall into the trap of thinking that any type of similarity is automatically somehow "bad," you'll probably have a good time with both.    … Expand
  5. Brnlv
    Nov 17, 2021
    7
    A flagrant A Short Hike clone that’s nonetheless enjoyable, chill and fun. It’s not as refined or slick or smart or funny or playable as A Short Hike, but it’s still fun. It’s hard to copy an all-time indie classic, even if it’s a tiny three-hour one. :)
  6. rebster
    Jun 30, 2022
    9
    Really wholesome and relaxing game, if you loved short hike then you'll love this too!
  7. NindieSpotlight
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    As much of an action and shooting game junkie as I am, looking for games that challenge me and provide thrills, a great game that moves in the precisely opposite direction can very much grab me. Whether something like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, or other titles out there, sometimes slowing everything down to enjoy some Zen-like calm can be very appealing. For me, Haven Park absolutelyAs much of an action and shooting game junkie as I am, looking for games that challenge me and provide thrills, a great game that moves in the precisely opposite direction can very much grab me. Whether something like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, or other titles out there, sometimes slowing everything down to enjoy some Zen-like calm can be very appealing. For me, Haven Park absolutely nailed the sweet spot for about 5 hours of my time and once I had started I simply had to see it through to the end, which can be difficult to do with as many games as I tend to play and review on a weekly basis. Your goal is a pretty simple one, to restore, improve, and find the many hidden secrets of this park you’ve inherited the responsibility for from your grandmother. This is an experience focused on exploration, the joy of discovery, a bit of puzzle solving, and taking the time to follow every path, check out every hunch, and simply enjoy yourself. I would say that towards the end of the game I did wish for an ability to set something up to allow myself to port around the map more quickly as I shored everything up but it’s a relatively small quibble, if you enjoy games that help you slow down and unwind this comes highly recommended.

    https://www.nindiespotlight.com/2021/08/mini-reviews-august-5th-edition.html    … Expand
  8. moxieju
    Sep 5, 2023
    5
    I was really disappointed with this game after reading all the positive reviews. The music is very unremarkable, the story is basically non-existent, and the gameplay gets stale very fast as the decorating options are incredibly limited. The movement also felt very sluggish. Additionally, I didn't feel like it was very relaxing because I kept getting lost, as the map doesn't show theI was really disappointed with this game after reading all the positive reviews. The music is very unremarkable, the story is basically non-existent, and the gameplay gets stale very fast as the decorating options are incredibly limited. The movement also felt very sluggish. Additionally, I didn't feel like it was very relaxing because I kept getting lost, as the map doesn't show the player's current location. If you can get it for free or for like a buck, give it a go, but I wouldn't recommend spending more than that on it.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Gaming Age
    Jul 12, 2022
    83
    Haven Park isn’t going to make you forget its influences – and you should definitely play those other games before playing this one, since they’re both much better – but it’s still enjoyable enough that if you’ve got a few hours to spare and want to play something charming and wholesome, it’ll do the trick.
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  2. Switch Player
    Dec 1, 2021
    80
    Haven Park is the kind of game that will completely absorb you until several hours have passed and, suddenly, you’ve beaten the game! The story is warm and fuzzy and bittersweet, and if you’re a fan of a quaint, relaxing game don’t hesitate to put this one in your collection.
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  3. Hey Poor Player
    Aug 18, 2021
    80
    Honestly, I struggle to find criticism for Haven Park. Is it the most stunning, groundbreaking game you’ll ever play? No, but it doesn’t need to be. While it feels like it draws some inspiration from the Animal Crossing series, it remains its own separate entity with its own identity. For a game about walking and fixing up campsites, it’s short, sweet, beautiful, and even at times, moving. It left me wishing for more, but in the best way possible.
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