Kioku: Last Summer is a charming childhood adventure that incorporates the best of both Pokémon card collecting and cozy exploration. You’ll play as Asti, a young newcomer to the beautiful island of Kioku— its storybook design rife with both Japanese and Scandinavian influences— on the last day of the school year.
Immediately tossed into a pre-established friend group by a teacher who seems to have only the best intentions, Asti’s summer break gets a whole lot more interesting. She learns about crabbing (the game’s version of fishing), “scrumping” (stealing stuff in the name of creating core preteen memories), and collecting various things around the island.
But most importantly, Asti learns about Marubi. This card-and-marble creature collecting element is arguably the game’s selling point for the now-adults who spent their time out in the schoolyard leafing through their Pokémon card binders and looking for someone to play against.
You’ll pick your starter card and marble and slowly build up your collection. Each new Marubi marble you collect offers a brand new skill-set to add to your team, making it easier to challenge the NPCs.
Kioku: Last Summer showcases a sweet slice of paradise
Speaking of NPCs— they’re adorable! You’ll get to know the entire, diverse town as you work your way through the main storyline’s quests, unlocking side missions as you play. The more you get to know them, the deeper the story becomes, offering more than just card-and-marble battles for those who need a good story as much as they want solid gameplay.
The more time you spend getting to know the locals— and your beautiful new home— the more secrets you’ll unlock, from fun little stickers to your friends’ backstories.
The best part is the go-at-your-own-pace gameplay. There’s no pressure to complete quests, win Marubi battles, or rush through the storyline. It unfolds as peacefully as a summer day with no rules or responsibilities.
Kioku: Last Summer sees the typical “preteen on the cusp of realizing their childhood is slowly coming to a close,” narrative and does a sharp U-Turn. Instead of making “Adulthood” the threatening boogeyman in the shadows, Kioku allows Asti to bask in her summer, her new friends, and her childhood, with wonder and joy.
Kioku: Last Summer is hoping to raise $11,559.75 from crowdfunding on Kickstarter. There are five donation tiers available, ranging from The Game (you’ll get a digital game key for Steam or Nintendo Switch, Backer Title on the Discord community server, PC and phone wallpaper, and access to backer-only updates and sneak peeks) all the way up to the Visit Kioku tier. The most expensive option includes all previous backer rewards and the chance to immortalize yourself as an NPC on Kioku Island.
They have plenty of perks and stretch goals ready…
Their stretch goals start with being fully funded. Beyond that, they want to add localization, the addition of a virtual pet, more crab varieties, storytime with the schoolteacher, an animated outro, and even a whole separate island to explore in a treasure hunt!
While Kioku: Last Summer is slated to have both a Steam and Switch release from this Kickstarter campaign, the developers are also interested in a Nintendo Switch 2 version.
Kioku: Last Summer is expected early 2026, and you have until Sunday, December 7th, to help make this cozy island adventure a reality!
