Rematch (video game)
| Rematch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sloclap |
| Publisher(s) | Sloclap Kepler Interactive |
| Director(s) | Pierre Tarno |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 19 June 2025 |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Rematch is a sports game developed by Sloclap and co-published by Kepler Interactive. In the game, players control one player on their team in an association football match from a third-person perspective. The game was released on 19 June 2025 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S.
Gameplay
[edit]Rematch is a sports video game played from a third-person perspective. At the beginning of the game, players need to select and customize their playable avatar.[1] Players control a single footballer on the team, switching between attacker and defender and even the goalkeeper, which has specific abilities. The game features an aim and shoot mechanic for shooting the ball and scoring goals. The game is set in closed virtual reality arenas, with no fouls hence no penalties, no offside or any breaks in play. The ball does not go out of play so there are no throw-ins or goal kicks either.[2]
At launch, the game features four multiplayer modes: 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5, and a ranked 5v5 mode. The game will contain seasonal content to add game modes, events, features, and cosmetics for both players and stadiums.[3] An offline mode with AI-controlled teammates is set to be released in 2026.[4]
Development
[edit]The game is developed by Sloclap, which previously worked on Sifu and Absolver.[3][5] According to game director Pierre Tarno, the studio's experience in working on brawler games "provided valuable insights into the game's feel, reactivity, and precision, as well as conveying physicality and impact through complex animation systems". Absolver, in particular, inspired Rematch's online technology.[6] Tarno also compared the game to action video games and shooter video games played from third-person. It was described by the team as a "simple game", though Tarno added that the game was about "observation and positioning", and players are tasked to make dynamic changes to their tactics in order to succeed. An early mechanic allows players to wall-run, though this was scrapped because the team felt that it "strayed too far from a credible football fantasy that [they] were aiming for".[2] Overwatch and Rocket League were cited by the team as sources of inspiration.[7]
Sloclap and publisher Kepler Interactive announced the game in December 2024 for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S.[7] The game was released on 19 June 2025.[8] Sloclap apologized to players after failing to enable cross-platform play at launch, and promised that the feature will be added to the game through a post-launch update.[9]
Reception
[edit]Rematch received "mixed or average" scores according to review aggregator website Metacritic.
Fraser Gilbert of Pure Xbox echoed this, as they expressed that "the controls offer amazing potential and allow you to wield all sorts of great moves as long as you're willing to put the effort in."[10] Other reviewers were more critical of Rematch. Ben Sledge of TheGamer took issue with the game's live-service elements, citing server issues and lacklustre battle passes. Sledge said that "the game has serious issues that border on rendering the game completely unfun."[11]
The game attracted more than 1 million players on launch day.[12] It reached 3 million players by June 24, 2025.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Barnett, Brian (17 April 2025). "Rematch Hands-On Preview: The Sifu Devs Do Soccer…and So Far They're Nailing It". IGN. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b Wen, Alex (10 April 2025). "This Online 5v5 Soccer Game Had Me Sweating From The Pressure". GameSpot. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b Nightingale, Ed (13 December 2024). "Sifu developer's next game will give football a fresh perspective". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ Lucas, Danielle (12 April 2025). "Rematch blew away my expectations—trailers don't do Sloclap's 5v5 football game justice". PC Gamer. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Ramsey, Robert (13 December 2024). "Sifu Dev Is Making a Crazy Online Football Game Called Rematch, for PS5 in 2025". Push Square. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ Amoroso, Dan (17 January 2025). "Interview: Sloclap Discusses How Previous Titles Like Sifu Shaped Rematch's Development". GameRant. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b Yin-Poole, Wesley (13 December 2024). "The Next Game From the Developer of Sifu Is an Online Multiplayer Soccer Game - The Game Awards 2024". IGN. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Parijat, Shubhankar (11 April 2025). "Rematch Launches on June 19". GamingBolt. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ Yu, Johnny (20 June 2025). "Sifu developer's new game Rematch launches without crossplay, studio apologizes". Polygon. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ Xbox, Pure (17 June 2025). "Review: Rematch (Xbox) - A Highly Addictive Blend Of Rocket League And Real Football". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ Sledge, Ben (18 June 2025). "Rematch Review: More Sunday League Than Champion's League". TheGamer. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
- ^ Franzese, Tomas (20 June 2025). "Rematch, A Soccer Game From The Developers Of Sifu, Is Off To A Hot Start". GameSpot. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ Randall, Harvey (25 June 2025). "Sloclap shoots, then scores as Rematch hits 3 million players, proving there's a surprising overlap between sports and fighting game fans". PC Gamer. Retrieved 28 June 2025.