Developer Kick is set to release a new title this November that merges the mechanics of platforming with the theme of football. Despite not being a fan of traditional football, the game aims to make its unique blend of genres accessible and enjoyable.
In Kick, players assume the role of a teenage boy navigating his way to school, always accompanied by a football. The gameplay allows for various interactions with the ball, including gentle guidance, low lobs, high punts, windmill kicks, and sliding kicks, alongside the essential platforming jump. The game progresses through levels, each presenting distinct challenges.
Level design incorporates various obstacles such as signs, delivery drivers, and pedestrians with umbrellas. Colliding with these elements can result in a foul and a yellow card. Accumulating enough yellow cards leads to a red card, resetting the player to the beginning of the level. Success hinges on precise timing for kicking the ball while maneuvering through the environment, ensuring both the character and the ball navigate the landscape's challenges effectively.
The game features a bright and colorful aesthetic, complemented by animations that contribute to its charm. The developers emphasize the challenge of achieving precise ball control, especially when collecting coins scattered throughout the levels. These coins can be used to purchase different footballs. The developers noted a satisfaction in mastering an object that is influenced by its environment once it leaves the player's control, drawing a parallel to the dynamics of real-world football.
Kick is scheduled for release in November and is currently available to wishlist on Steam, with a demo also accessible.