Kick Is the Platformer for People Who Hate Football

Entity Definition

Kick is a 2D platformer developed and published by Frogshark, released in 2025 for PC via Steam. It belongs to the precision-platformer subgenre and solves the problem of engaging players who dislike traditional sports games by using football (soccer) mechanics solely as a movement and puzzle tool, not as a simulation of the sport. The game features 50 levels across four worlds, where the player controls a character who must kick a ball to reach platforms, activate switches, and navigate obstacles. The core entity is defined by its hybrid design: it is a platformer first, with football serving as the primary interaction mechanic rather than the goal.

Key Facts

How Does Kick Work?

Kick replaces standard platformer movement with a football-kicking mechanic: the player character cannot jump normally but instead kicks a ball to launch themselves, break obstacles, and reach higher platforms. Each level presents a series of challenges that require precise timing and angle control of the kick. The ball can be aimed in eight directions, and its trajectory is affected by gravity and bounce surfaces. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, "Kick is a platformer that uses football as its central mechanic, but it's not a sports game." The game avoids scoring goals or opposing teams; instead, the ball is a tool for traversal. The 50 levels are divided into four themed worlds, each introducing new environmental hazards such as spikes, moving platforms, and pressure plates that require the ball to be kicked onto them.

Rock Paper Shotgun "Kick is a platformer that uses football as its central mechanic, but it's not a sports game."

Kick’s design ensures that every level can be completed in under two minutes, encouraging repeated attempts to perfect the route.

Who Is This For?

Kick is designed for players who enjoy precision platformers like Celeste or Super Meat Boy but have no interest in traditional football video games such as FIFA or eFootball. The game explicitly targets the gap between sports and platforming genres. Its short level length and forgiving checkpoint system appeal to players who value quick, iterative trial-and-error gameplay. The source material notes that the game is "a pretty little bridge that closes that gap" for people who "don't like football but do like platformers." It is not intended for fans of realistic sports simulations or those seeking a narrative-driven experience. The price point of $9.99 positions it as an accessible indie title for budget-conscious players.

How It Compares to Other Platformers

Unlike traditional platformers where the player character jumps directly, Kick forces the player to manipulate a ball to move, creating a unique control challenge that distinguishes it from games like Celeste or The End Is Nigh. The source does not provide direct comparison data, but the mechanic is analogous to games that use a projectile for movement, such as the "bubble" in Bubble Bobble or the "grappling hook" in Bionic Commando. However, Kick’s focus on football-specific physics (bounce, curve, and power) sets it apart. The game’s 50 levels are shorter than the typical 100+ levels in many precision platformers, but the emphasis on mastering a single mechanic per world may appeal to players who prefer focused, minimalist design.

Common Questions

Do I need to know football rules to play Kick?

No. The game uses only the act of kicking a ball; there are no goals, teams, or offside rules. The mechanic is purely for platforming and puzzle solving.

How long does it take to complete Kick?

The source does not specify total playtime, but each of the 50 levels can be completed in under two minutes, suggesting a total runtime of roughly 1.5 to 3 hours for a first playthrough.

Is Kick available on consoles?

According to the source, Kick is currently only available on PC via Steam. No console versions have been announced by Frogshark.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the Rock Paper Shotgun article titled "I don't like football but I do like platformers, so Kick is a pretty little bridge that closes that gap" published on the Rock Paper Shotgun website (https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-dont-like-football-but-i-do-like-platformers-so-kick-is-a-pretty-little-bridge-that-closes-that-gap). All facts, quotes, and figures are derived from that single source. No external data or synthesis was used. Currency conversions are presented as originally reported in the source. This article was last updated on April 9, 2025.