Developers of Rematch refer to the game as a 'samurai title' and outline a schedule for addressing player concerns, alongside the introduction of new competitive modes.
In the realm of video games, Sloclap, the developer behind the 2022 kung fu game Sifu, has made a splash with their latest release, Rematch. This small-squad soccer game, launched on June 19, 2025, has been a resounding success, attracting over five million unique players and breaking records on Xbox with its beta and early adoption [1][3].
Rematch stands out from traditional soccer games, offering an arcade-style, fast-paced multiplayer experience without fouls, offsides, or stoppages. Each player controls a single character on a small team, leading to a gameplay style that appeals primarily to competitive gamers rather than casual soccer fans [2].
The game's recent update, version 1.200.100, brings significant quality-of-life improvements. These include gamepad button remapping, better ball control through fixes to hit detection and player collisions, and improved goalkeeper AI [1]. Sloclap is also working on enhancing the game's accessibility, with the addition of a colorblind mode for menus and interface, and plans to expand this feature in the future [4].
Rematch's success is a testament to Sloclap's ability to challenge genre norms. While Sifu focused on martial arts combat with precise melee mechanics, Rematch applies Sloclap’s expertise in action gameplay to soccer, emphasizing physicality and player control on a smaller scale. Sloclap views Rematch not just as a football game, but as an online team-based competitive experience built with a unique blend of arcade influences and Sloclap’s heritage in action titles [2][4].
In a recent review, PC Gamer's Justin Wagner described Rematch as "pitch perfect," praising its immersive atmosphere, capturing the sonic boom of the crowd, the ball's movement, and the feeling of the turf [5]. Sloclap is continuing to refine Rematch's core gameplay mechanics, with plans to address refinements to goalkeepers, tackles, and volleys within a few weeks [6].
As Rematch continues to evolve, it represents Sloclap’s expansion into a dynamic sports-inspired arena while leveraging their skill in creating tight, skill-based multiplayer experiences like Sifu, but in a completely different genre and competitive format [1][2][3][4].
| Aspect | Rematch | Sifu | |-----------------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Genre | Small-squad arcade-style soccer | Kung-fu action melee combat | | Gameplay Style | Fast-paced, no fouls/offsides, single-player control per team | Precise, tactical martial arts combat | | Audience Focus | Competitive multiplayer gamers | Action and fighting game fans | | Recent Updates | Gamepad remapping, improved controls & AI | Various post-launch patches over time | | Player Base | Over 5 million unique players since launch | Popular indie hit with critical acclaim |
[1] Rematch Update 1.200.100: What's New?
[2] Rematch: Sloclap's New Take on Soccer
[3] Rematch Breaks Xbox Records
[4] Rematch: Not Just a Football Game
[5] PC Gamer's Review of Rematch
[6] Sloclap's Future Plans for Rematch
- The sociocultural impact of the game Rematch, developed by Sloclap, surpassed expectations by captivating not only football fans but also competitive gamers, with over 5 million unique players since its launch.
- In the realm of sports-inspired games, Rematch stands out as a blend of arcade style, action gameplay, and Sloclap's legacy, offering an alternative experience to traditional football games without fouls, offsides, or stoppages.
- To cater to different preferences within the gaming community, the developers have made recent updates to improve various aspects such as the gamepad button remapping, ball control, and goalkeeper AI in Rematch, while Sifu received various post-launch patches to refine its core gameplay mechanics.
- As the season progresses, the developers of Rematch continue to fight for enhancing the game by focusing on addressing refinements to goalkeepers, tackles, and volleys, similar to Sifu's continued refinements after its initial release.
- With Rematch's success, Sloclap has demonstrated their prowess in challenging genre norms and expanding their expertise into the sports-inspired arena, showcasing their skill in creating tight, skill-based multiplayer experiences in both the action game genre (Sifu) and the small-squad soccer genre (Rematch).
