- The debut work of Swiss one-person developer nospacelost… The story of the commute to school depicted by ‘Kick’
- A side-scrolling platformer with a Japanese anime vibe, featuring 23 levels and timer on/off support.
Kick, a side-scrolling emotional platformer created by Swiss solo developer nospacelost and published by Shoreline Games, has been released on Steam.
Based on a soccer ball physics engine, the game is characterized by its emotional portrayal of a boy running to school while dribbling a ball. It combines cozy, healing exploration with challenging elements, featuring warm, hand-drawn 2D animation visuals, free-form dribbling and trick gameplay, and optional progression via a timer on/off switch. The release date is not yet determined.
A small adventure on the way to school, traversing the world with a single ball
Kick’s story is simple, yet universal enough for anyone to relate to. The protagonist, “The Kid,” hones his skills in the park early in the morning, hurries his steps to catch the train, and heads to school along a familiar shortcut. A loyal dog friend is always by his side.
The protagonist runs through diverse settings ranging from bustling streets and beautiful beaches to shaded underpasses and expansive parks, using the entire city as his playground. There are no special threats or combat elements. Only a boy, a soccer ball, and a continuous stream of dribbling and tricks exist.
Warm, hand-drawn-style Japanese animation visuals and sound
Kick is a 2D side-scrolling game created with hand-drawn cartoon graphics, enveloped in the warm and vibrant colors characteristic of Japanese animation. Each level features a different visual atmosphere, such as a park filled with morning sunlight, bustling city streets, and a beach at sunset, making the familiar daily routine of going to school feel like a special adventure.
The sound design is also faithful to the sensibility. The sound of a ball bouncing on the floor, the noise of people passing by on the street, and the sound of a dog’s paws complete the light and cheerful overall atmosphere.
The charm of the soccer ball physics engine created by angles and senses
The key to Kick is the simulation of soccer ball physics. Depending on exactly the angle at which the ball is kicked, a trick may succeed or it may bounce off in an unexpected direction. To continue dribbling naturally without avoiding pedestrians or damaging surrounding objects, an increasingly sophisticated sense of the laws of physics is required.
In some levels with time limits, you can enjoy a thrilling time challenge, while you can also turn off the timer if you prefer to explore at a leisurely pace. This flexible design stands out for accommodating both players seeking a mild, relaxing game and those enjoying a spicy challenge.
You can collect coins from toy capsule vending machines to unlock ball skins and collect national flags that can be displayed in the game. Each level hides unique dangers and opportunities, making exploration quite enjoyable.
A word from the developers… “An experience focused on the boy, the ball, and memories”
“Kick is the result of years of hard work, and I am thrilled to finally release it to the world. I hope you experience a world where you can focus solely on the boy, the soccer ball, and the next trick, without any threats or dangers,” said Peter Soerensen, founder of nospacelost.
Keith Kawamura, CEO of publisher Shoreline Games, stated, “The simplicity of a boy kicking a ball immediately caught my eye. The nostalgia for childhood spent kicking a soccer ball evokes memories and emotions that many people can relate to.”
User reaction is thumbs up… “A balance between healing and challenge”
Initial reactions from the community and critics since its release have been generally positive. Users find the unique structure, which proceeds solely through dribbling without combat, refreshing, and are also paying attention to the “healing sensibility” created by the warm, hand-drawn visuals and gentle soundtrack.
In particular, the physics system, where outcomes vary depending on the angle and reaction of the soccer ball, is evaluated as a simple yet skill-demanding element. It is also receiving favorable reviews for incorporating both casual gameplay and challenging elements. However, some users have raised concerns regarding the amount of content and the repetitive gameplay structure, so attention is focused on the future release of additional information.
Information related to ‘Kick’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | nospacelost (Switzerland, solo developer) |
| Publisher | Shoreline Games (San Francisco, USA) |
| Genre | Side-scrolling sports platformer |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release date | Undetermined (TBA) |
| Level number | 23 |
| Key Features | Soccer ball physics engine / Timer on/off / Ball skins & flag collection |
| Art style | Hand-drawn 2D anime vibe |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
