- The debut work of a Swiss solo developer who finds shortcuts while roaming streets, beaches, and parks
- Memories of the walk to school in childhood revived in a world of Japanese anime-style hand-drawn aesthetics
“Kick,” a side-scrolling adventure game developed by Swiss solo developer nospacelost and published by Shoreline Games, was officially released on Steam on November 3. Along with this release, a new trailer video capturing the game’s unique vibe was also unveiled.
“Kick,” which garnered attention when its release schedule, unique concept, and key gameplay elements were previously introduced in this publication, is a game that evokes childhood memories that everyone cherishes in a corner of their heart.
A school commute with a 90s animation vibe, and unique ‘ball-handling’ action
The game portrays the everyday commute of a child kicking a soccer ball as they head to school with a warm perspective. Players traverse diverse landscapes, ranging from bustling downtown areas to blue beaches, shaded underpasses, and peaceful parks, undertaking the mission of arriving safely at the school gate before the bell rings.
You can practice various skills by handling the soccer ball with precision while on the move, and experience the fun of shortening your commute to school by sprinting after a moving train or finding your own familiar shortcut.
The full version consists of a total of 23 unique levels. Each level features organically placed terrain, obstacles, and opportunities to save time, while some special sections require thrilling gameplay where you must achieve objectives within a time limit.
On the other hand, for users who wish to enjoy the game leisurely while admiring the surrounding scenery, free from time pressure, an option to completely turn off the ‘timer’ in the in-game settings has been thoughtfully provided. Collecting coins hidden throughout the levels allows players to customize the appearance of the soccer ball and flag to their liking, and they can also enjoy separate challenge content that tests their ball-handling skills to the extreme.
Mixed views from critics… Lacking precision amidst a fresh concept
Since its official release, global media has been offering diverse evaluations of ‘Kick’. While overseas critics highly praised the game’s unique concept and aesthetic, reactions regarding its detailed polish and controls were somewhat mixed.
Rock Paper Shotgun, which primarily deals with indie games, stated in a preview that it is “a platform game that even users who are not interested in soccer can find appealing,” and evaluated that the flow of dribbling the ball in a side-scrolling manner is visually very attractive and original.
On the other hand, The Wand Report gave it a Metacritic score of 50, stating that “good ideas were overshadowed by clunky execution and inaccurate controls,” and expressing disappointment that the precision of the physics engine handling the soccer ball was somewhat lacking, which interrupted the flow of play.
Steam User Reaction: “Thought it was a relaxing game, but it’s hardcore with a thrilling gameplay?”
On the other hand, among Steam users who actually played the game, it got off to a positive start, receiving 89% of the initial reviews. However, it is drawing attention due to a ‘twist’ that the majority of users unanimously agree on.
Users mainly left comments such as, “I entered thinking it was just a cozy game about walking home from school, but I got a taste of the hardship.”
Because the ball-kicking physics engine and the placement of terrain require more precise calculations than expected, the difficulty may be high for users seeking casual relaxation; however, it is said to offer excellent gameplay and a sense of accomplishment to users who prefer ‘challenging platform games.’
Along with this, praise continued for the visuals reminiscent of 90s animation, the background music (OST) that enhances immersion, and the level design, such as the riverside and alleyways that effectively capture an analog sensibility. However, technical finishing touches, such as intermittent frame drops caused by the nature of one-person development and the lack of customizable control keys, were pointed out as areas for future improvement.
I am happy to share precious moments of my childhood with users around the world.
Developer Northface Lost revealed the planning intention, stating, “We wanted to fully capture in this work the small, precious moments of childhood that will be remembered forever in the hearts of users even after they become adults.”
Keith Kawamura, CEO of publisher Shoreline Games, also shared his thoughts on the launch, stating, “We received very positive feedback from global users through the pre-release event and the distribution of the demo version,” and added, “I am very happy that players around the world can now experience this heartwarming world firsthand through the official version.”
The North Face Lost’s meaningful debut title ‘Kick,’ which aims for both comfortable visuals for adults and challenging physics action, is currently available for purchase and play on the official Steam store page.
Information related to ‘Kick’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | nospacelost (Switzerland, solo developer) |
| Publisher | Shoreline Games |
| Genre | Side-scrolling adventure, slice of life, sports (soccer) |
| platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release date | November 3, 2026 |
| language | Supports 10 languages including Korean (Based on demo, not confirmed in full version) |
| Reactions/Evaluations | Demo user rating ‘Mixed’ (56% positive out of 23), no professional media reviews prior to official release |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
