As students across the country celebrate the end of the 2025–2026 school year, summer vacation is officially here! The backpacks are getting tossed into closets, alarm clocks are finally getting a break, and for gamers, that means one thing:
The Summer of Games has begun!
And honestly, I can't think of a much better way to kick things off than with Kioku: Last Summer.
This cozy, story-driven adventure game places you in the shoes of Asti, a cute young girl experiencing a carefree, nostalgic childhood summer after moving to a small island at the tippy top of summer.
From the moment I started exploring its colorful island setting, I was reminded of the kinds of summer adventures many of us dreamed about as kids. Not the huge blockbuster movie adventures where the world is ending every five minutes, but the smaller wholesome ones—the kind where every trail looks worthy of exploration, every new face could become a friend, and every day feels like it might lead somewhere unexpected.
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A Cozy Escape That Feels Like Summer Vacation
One of the first things that stood out to me about Kioku: Last Summer was how inviting everything feels.
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The island is bright, colorful, and full of personality. Instead of pushing players into nonstop action, the game encourages curiosity. I found myself taking detours simply because something looked interesting in the distance, and more often than not those detours led to something worthwhile. Skip, play with friends, swing, fish, explore and much more!
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Kioku: Last Summer is at its best when you're slowing down and enjoying the journey.
The Magic Is in the Small Moments
The little things made Kioku: Last Summer even better, especially Marubi! Clearly the mini-game is inspired by Pokémon, taking on the competition in the table top arena with different cards and marbles. These are marble monsters instead of pocket monsters, and it's easy to play. It feels like a Pokémon version of billiards.
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Whether I was exploring the island, interacting with residents, discovering new activities, or simply taking in the scenery, the game constantly delivered small moments that added up to something memorable.
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There's a warmth to the experience that's difficult to describe until you actually play it. It feels like the developers understood that summer memories aren't usually built around one giant event. They're built around dozens of little moments played out day after day—that stay with you long after vacation ends.
A World That Encourages Exploration
One of my favorite aspects of the game is how naturally exploration feels integrated into everything.
The island doesn't feel like a collection of disconnected locations. It feels like a place people actually live in without a cold vibe—and you get rewarded. Want new Marubi? Explore! Want more stickers to tag different locations? Explore!
As I continued playing, I found myself becoming more familiar with different areas, learning shortcuts, recognizing landmarks, and gradually feeling more connected to the world itself.
That sense of familiarity creates a surprisingly strong attachment to the island and its residents, but there's always the map if you need to find yourself or a location. Use your stickers to your advantage.
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A Relaxing Change of Pace
As the school year comes to an end and summer officially begins, Kioku: Last Summer feels perfectly timed.
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It's charming, welcoming, and packed with the kind of relaxing atmosphere that makes you want to spend just a little more time exploring before logging off for the night. It's a safe cozy game for kids while being interesting enough to relax in your most relaxing spot to play as an adult!
The best summer memories aren't always the biggest ones. They're simply the ones that make you smile, and Kioku: Last Summer pulls this off perfectly.
