- A healing story adventure with a 90s vibe fusing Scandinavian and Japanese cultures
- A highly anticipated title from a new Norwegian studio combining exploration, story, and mini-games
Norwegian new indie studio Lugn Games and German indie publisher Assemble Entertainment will release the healing story adventure ‘Kioku: Last Summer’ on PC (Steam) on May 28.
Currently, a free demo, ‘First Day Demo,’ is available on Steam and is attracting the attention of many fans of relaxing games with its smooth 3D animation reminiscent of 90s Japanese manga and a unique island setting where Japanese and Scandinavian cultures blend together.
A new house, a strange island, and a summer to be remembered forever.
The player takes on the role of Asti, an energetic and curious girl who has made a new home on the remote island of Kioku with her father. She explores the island, makes new friends, and unravels the hidden secrets of her new home one by one.
Asti quickly becomes close with his friends, but one boy, Bo, continues to keep his distance. Why? As the summer passes, the children build laughter, adventures, and unforgettable memories together, while Asti and Bo oscillate between tension and friendship.
The story unfolds as new areas, characters, and activities unlock as you progress through daily quests. The process of solving mysteries and resolving the residents’ worries makes the island feel like a living space.
From downtown streets to shrines, the island’s secrets discovered simply by walking
Kioku Island consists of eight zones: the village street, pier, school, forest, Tin Mountain, Jod’s Apple Farm, Mutt Island, and the mysterious shrine. As you ride along winding paths, jump over sparkling streams, and sneak through the dark forest, unexpected secrets are revealed. Spending a day slowly cycling around the island is the core gameplay element in itself.
Visuals and sound are also important features of this work. The overseas media outlet Gematsu introduced it by stating, “A heartfelt and touching story unfolds within beautiful and gentle animation reminiscent of 90s Japanese manga.”
The world of ‘Japandi,’ an exquisite blend of Scandinavian nature and Japanese aesthetics, harmonizes with a soundtrack featuring warm summer sunshine and the sound of gentle waves, creating a unique and magical atmosphere throughout the entire island.
Marubi Bead Battle and Crab Fishing, nostalgic mini-games
Kioku contains two mini-games that stimulate the desire to collect and explore at the same time. Marubi is a marble battle mini-game inspired by early 2000s toys and animation series such as Beyblade, Pokémon, and B-Daman, where you form a team by collecting Marubi marble creatures with unique stats and abilities and challenge the island residents.
Meanwhile, crab fishing is a more relaxed activity that offers the fun of collecting various crabs and obtaining rare items. Occasionally, if you catch a ‘Crab Pot,’ you can also obtain special rewards.
Sailing smoothly amidst anticipation from the Steam community and media, requests for a Korean version are flooding in.
Overseas media outlet MonsterVine introduced it as “a healing adventure combining colorful visuals and heartfelt storytelling, which draws inspiration from classic childhood adventures while creating its own magical identity.”
Anticipation has been building within the Steam community even before the release, and the interest of domestic fans is confirmed, particularly through the steady stream of requests for Korean language support. On the Steam page, you can currently experience the atmosphere of the first day on Kioku Island in advance through the free ‘First Day Demo’.
The debut work of a new studio from the village of Leypo, Norway
Lugn Games is a fledgling indie development company based in Reipå, a small coastal town in northern Norway.
Although the team was established relatively recently, its core philosophy is storytelling that delicately captures the emotions of nature and everyday life, along with direction that creates a warm atmosphere. In particular, it is characterized by a focus on ‘healing,’ where players slowly explore the world and build emotions, rather than on rapid achievement or competition.
The development team is building their own unique aesthetic by combining the serene natural landscapes characteristic of Northern Europe with personal memories and sensibilities influenced by Japanese subculture. This direction is encapsulated by the keyword ‘Japandi,’ which is realized as a soft and lyrical worldview that transcends cultural boundaries.
This title , ‘Kioku: Last Summer,’ is Lugn Games’ debut work and the first result that encapsulates the emotion-driven design and lyrical direction pursued by the studio. Its story structure, centered on small daily moments and changes in relationships, and gameplay that gradually expands through exploration and interaction, are considered a starting point that allows us to gauge the direction of their future works.
Information regarding ‘Kioku: Last Summer’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Lugn Games (Norway Raypo) |
| Publisher | Assemble Entertainment (Wiesbaden, Germany) |
| Genre | Cozy Story Adventure / Exploration / Mini-games |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release date | May 28, 2026 |
| Free Demo | First Day Demo available on Steam |
| Background worldview | Jyapandi (a mixed island of Japan and Scandinavia) |
| Main Content | Explore 8 Zones / Marubi Battle / Crab Fishing / Story Quest |
| Supported languages | 4 languages other than English (Korean not supported, community request pending) |
| Main Keywords | Cozy, 90s Vibe, 3D Adventure, Friendship, Island, Collectibles, Family-friendly |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
