Rematch was one of the most surprising announcements from last year’s Game Awards, as developer Sloclap’s previous project, Sifu, was vastly different. Instead of a fighting title, Rematch opts for an action-packed take on soccer in an online multiplayer setting. Such a drastic departure from Sifu‘s formula is a compelling change, especially for the sports genre as a whole.
The world of sports-focused titles tends to be confined to certain publishers, like EA, especially when it comes to soccer. Once known as FIFA, the soccer franchise was eventually rebranded as EA Sports FC back in 2023. Whether under the title of FIFA or EA Sports FC, EA has been at the forefront of soccer and the sports genre in general, and Sloclap putting a fresh spin on one of the world’s most popular sports could prove to be a breath of fresh air.
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Sloclap’s Approach to Rematch Teases an Exciting Remix of Soccer
Taking the Downtime Out of Soccer Games
With EA soccer titles, there is a heavy emphasis on team management, and while this appeals to a lot of players and fans of the sport, it can be tedious for those just wanting to enjoy a match. This is likely where Rematch will shine when it finally launches. There is only a small amount of information known about Rematch, but based on the game’s Steam page, the sports title sets out to take an action-first approach that promises fast-paced gameplay.
Sloclap has yet to reveal a release date for Rematch, but according to its PlayStation Store listing, the game has a general target of summer 2025.
Confirmed Mechanics for Rematch
- 5v5 matches
- Third-person
- Control one player
- No player stats
- Gameplay focused on skill
- No fouls or offsides
- Accessible mechanics that also offer a lot of depth
This general run-down of gameplay features for Rematch is an intriguing subversion of expectations of the soccer genre. One of the biggest differences is the lack of stats that Sloclap opted for with the game. Instead, a player’s skills are what merit a victory, which promises intense matches. Since players only control one character, the actions of every team member playing online truly matter, and that could be the shake-up this specific genre needs.
While every EA-published soccer game has its varying changes each year, the general formula has remained pretty static, and that stagnation can sometimes push players away. However, with Rematch‘s approach, Sloclap’s take on the genre could be perfect for the soccer and gaming fans out there who are less interested in the management and stats side of things and prefer the experience of actually playing.
EA is Beginning to See More Competitors in the Soccer Genre
Funded by icon Cristiano Ronaldo, UFL is another title set to shake up the world of sports games, but it doesn’t boast the same major differences that Rematch promises. UFL has its own strengths that make it a worthy EA Sports FC competitor, but Rematch‘s heavy action focus may help it stand out more. Of course, Sloclap’s adaptation of the sport may not have the same high-profile names and faces like EA Sports FC and UFL do, but Rematch‘s embrace of allowing a player’s skills to speak for themselves instead of stats could prove to be a powerful move.
Currently, Rematch will not be free-to-play like UFL. An estimated price has yet to be confirmed by Sloclap.
As of now, it’s unclear when Rematch will be ready for launch, but Sloclap is likely to offer more information later this year. After the success of Sifu, jumping into a vastly different genre with Rematch could be risky, but it also promises some innovative and exciting gameplay could be on the horizon if its predecessor has served as a source of inspiration.
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