Sloclap

Rematch: First impressions of a fun afternoon of football

From the studio that brought us Sifu comes a fast, chaotic and referee-less soccer game. Its goal? Pure fun with no complications.

Gabriel Huerta

Update: Apr 15th, 2025 04:40 CEST

Since its presentation, Rematch has caught our attention: how did the developers of the interesting Sifu leave martial arts for a football game? And although it may seem like just another sports title, this new proposal from Sloclap stands out for leaving aside the complicated maneuvers and betting on a simple, fun experience. This weekend, we had the opportunity to participate in the open beta of the game to get to know this new proposal.

And onto the field...

Rematch is a fast-paced soccer game with teams of 4 or 5 players. Each match lasts only 6 minutes, and after each goal the scenery changes radically: from a futuristic field to a jungle or even the desert. As in any good soccer game, you can pass, shoot, and sweep. There are no complex combinations to perform tricks, although you can perform moves such as a rabona, a bicycle kick, or a pump pass with a simple combination of keys.

The games are intense and aggressive: there is no referee to stop the pace for fouls, pure arcade experience. After each goal, the team rotation changes, allowing a new player to take the role of goalkeeper. When you’re in goal, you can leave the area and become a sweeper; when you return, you automatically get your gloves back. The absence of items or unbalancing elements is also appreciated: everything depends on the coordination and skill of the players.

Rematch: First impressions of a fun afternoon of football

Every game is full of excitement, and unless it’s a rout, the tension of overtime can make you scream in the final seconds. It’s pure adrenaline.

The player’s path

Before jumping into battle, each player must create a character. The editor is extensive, allowing you to choose everything from gender, hairstyle, and voice to clothing and prosthetic arms or legs. The customization is impressive: you can choose a discreet character or a visually eccentric one.

In addition to your character, you can also change the colors of your team’s uniform. Of course, you won’t be able to repeat the colors of the rival team, neither at home nor on the road, which might seem like a strange decision. The chromatic variety is not that extensive, possibly to avoid conflicts with the different outfits available. When you start a match, you can choose to see the captain’s colors or your own.

Among other game modes, there is a training mode, ideal for mastering basic controls or practicing before competing. We are also looking forward to trying out the Season Pass, which promises to unlock new accessories such as charms and clothing as you play.

Offside!

Although Rematch surprises with its visuals and ease of entry, there are still aspects that could be improved. One of them is the camera. While following the ball is key, changing the angle of your shot—whether it’s a one-on-one or a cross—requires pinpoint accuracy. It’s a detail that’s better handled in titles like Rocket League, and there’s still work to be done here.

Another desirable improvement would be the ability to remap the buttons. This would help players coming from other soccer games feel more comfortable with the setup.

Rematch is an interesting title that manages to capture the excitement of soccer from a lighthearted perspective. Its fresh visual style moves away from the realism that other games strive for and focuses on something more essential: fun. Although it still needs to be polished in some details, Sloclap’s new game is as entertaining as a good game with friends.