Rematchwas 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,Rematchopts for an action-packed take on soccer in an online multiplayer setting. Such a drastic departure fromSifu’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 asFIFA, the soccer franchise was eventuallyrebranded asEA Sports FCback in 2023. Whether under the title ofFIFAorEA 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.
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 likelywhereRematchwill shinewhen it finally launches. There is only a small amount of information known aboutRematch, 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 forRematch, but according to its PlayStation Store listing, the game has a general target of summer 2025.
Confirmed Mechanics for Rematch
This general run-down of gameplay features forRematchis an intriguing subversion of expectationsof 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 everyEA-published soccer gamehas its varying changes each year, the general formula has remained pretty static, and that stagnation can sometimes push players away. However, withRematch’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,UFLis another title set to shake up the world of sports games, but it doesn’t boast the same major differences thatRematchpromises.UFLhas its own strengths that make it a worthyEA Sports FCcompetitor, butRematch’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 likeEA Sports FCandUFLdo, butRematch’s embrace of allowing a player’s skills to speak for themselves instead of stats could prove to be a powerful move.
Currently,Rematchwill not be free-to-play likeUFL. An estimated price has yet to be confirmed by Sloclap.
As of now, it’s unclear whenRematchwill be ready for launch, but Sloclap is likely to offer more information later this year. Afterthe success ofSifu, jumping into a vastly different genre withRematchcould 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.
