Everyone has a memory of the walk to school: the shortcut you always took, the train you raced, the ball you kicked the whole way. Kick, a cozy side-scrolling adventure from Swiss solo developer nospacelost and publisher Shoreline Games, turns that memory into a game. It launches on Steam on November 3.
Shoreline Games revealed the date with a new trailer at the Convergence Showcase on October 8 (local time). Kick stands out for its quiet, Japanese-inspired setting and warm, hand-drawn 2D animation, and its Steam page tags lean into that mood: cute, colorful, relaxing.
Dribbling to School
Players follow The Kid as he leaves home and dribbles a soccer ball all the way to school. The route runs through streets, along the beach, through shady underpasses, and across a wide park, and the goal is to arrive before the school bell rings.
Along the way, The Kid practices tricks in the park, races alongside a train, and saves time with familiar shortcuts.
The developer describes Kick as a game about small childhood moments that stay with you for a long time. He emphasized wanting to make a game without threats or danger, focused on a boy, his ball, and whatever trick he’ll pull off next.
23 Levels, and the Option to Slow Down
Players kick, jump, and run through 23 levels, each with its own hazards and opportunities. Timed levels test skill, and players who prefer a gentler pace can switch the timer off.
The core is mastering the soccer ball’s physics while weaving around pedestrians and obstacles. According to Gamezebo, the developer drew inspiration from games like OlliOlli.
Collecting coins unlocks more skins for the ball and flags, and in-game challenges test ball-control skills.
A Swiss Solo Debut
nospacelost is a one-person Swiss studio aiming to make relaxing games anyone can enjoy, and Kick is its debut. Founder Peter Soerensen described it, when revealing the game in April, as a project he has poured years of love into.
Publishing is handled by Shoreline Games, an indie publisher that backs distinctive, narrative-driven games. Shoreline CEO Keith Kawamura said the game drew a great response from the moment its previous trailer debuted at an earlier showcase.
The announcement follows the same showcase’s July edition, where the release window was set as November.
Demo Reception Is Mixed
Kick was playable at IGN Live this summer, and its first playable demo arrived during Steam Next Fest. The Steam demo page lists a date of June 15.
International outlets have covered the release date announcement mostly favorably. MonsterVine described it as a cozy adventure, highlighting the 23 levels and the option to turn off the timer. Gamezebo focused on the Japanese-inspired setting and the premise of beating the school bell.
As of October 13, the demo’s user rating stands at “Mixed,” with 56% of 23 reviews positive. The developer thanked players for their response to the game and demo and said he is looking forward to the full release.
Who This Is For
Strong fit for: players who enjoy short, gentle, low-stress games with a nostalgic feel; fans of hand-drawn 2D animation and Japanese-inspired settings; players who liked OlliOlli’s flow-based movement but want something calmer; anyone who wants a game with no enemies or danger.
Cautious fit for: players who rely on early user feedback, since the demo’s rating is “Mixed” from a small sample; Korean-language players, since Korean support is confirmed for the demo but not yet for the full version.
Less ideal for: players seeking a full soccer game, competitive play, or deep challenge.
The Takeaway
Kick is a modest, sincere game about one of childhood’s most ordinary rituals: the walk to school, ball at your feet, racing the bell. Its hand-drawn art, OlliOlli-inspired ball physics, and optional timer give it a clear identity, while the mixed demo reception suggests the feel of the controls will decide how well it lands. For players who want a gentle, nostalgic sprint, it arrives on November 3.
Release: November 3, 2026, on Steam.
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 |
