Rematch: Everything We Know

Hyper-realistic sports simulators have dominated the sports gaming genre for a while now. However, we’ve been seeing some titles carve out a unique path for themselves. Among them is the upcoming Rematch. It uses aesthetics that are glaringly similar to Sifu, which is unsurprising given that they are both products from the same developer. Regardless, the game does seem to pack a punch, with the physics and shots really stirring the adrenaline flow. Here’s everything we know about Rematch so far.

What is Rematch?

Rematch is an upcoming highly stylized soccer game. Visually, you might mistake it for Sifu. The graphics and animations are exactly the same. It’s unsurprising, given Rematch comes from Sifu’s developing team. Still, since they gained fame from working on an action game, it makes you question whether they will nail the physics of a soccer game perfectly. In any case, the announcement came as a nice surprise. We’ve been pining for a sports game that puts a heavier focus on the players’ skills and abilities rather than hyper-realism and simulation. Now, we might actually be looking at a possible Rocket League (without the cars, of course).

In the game, you’ll be controlling one player in a five-person team. The matches will be against another team, taking place via fast-paced gameplay and from an immersive third-person perspective. While you can play solo, I figure it’ll be much more fun to duke it out with friends and compete for the championship cup. Through online co-op, you’ll be able to connect to players worldwide and figure out the best Rematch player among you.

A few things to note, though. Rematch will have Steam achievements you can use as motivation. It’ll also have in-app purchases. So, likely a free-to-play title. Further, the game will make use of a kernel-level anti-cheat system, which you’ll need to uninstall after you’re done with the game.

Story

For now, we don’t have information on the storyline Rematch will likely take. But we’ll be sure to let you know once we find out more.

Gameplay

As an indie sports action game, Rematch is already setting itself apart from the flurry of realistic sims on the market. Here are a few pointers to note concerning the gameplay:

• Third-person perspective: You’ll control all players from a third-person perspective, whether it’s directing them to tackle other players, dribble the ball, or aim and shoot for the net. This perspective, Steam says, will feel immersive for all players.
• Control one player: While your chosen team will have five players, you can only control one. Still, victory will come only through teamwork, so you must pay attention to your team’s actions and position yourself accordingly. Once you have the ball, it’ll be up to you to perform a flawless move. 
• Skill-based gameplay: While you’re competing against your opponent, the only thing that can assure victory is skill. There will be no player stats. Rather, gameplay will rely solely on your tactics, team coordination, and skill.

Rematch promises intense action that requires deep tactics to win. It’ll employ the ordinary rules of football. However, the art style (and some gameplay, I presume) will have an arcade twist. Also, interestingly enough, there will be no offsides, fouls, or pausing of matches. It’ll be non-stop action through and through. While the gameplay may not be what you’re used to, the mechanics intend to be accessible yet incredibly in-depth. Accuracy, quick response times, and teamwork will still matter, just like in real-world football.

Online Co-op

The final part of the gameplay is the online co-op mode. You can anticipate a “split-second gameplay response,” as Steam puts it, which is often tricky with online multiplayer games. However, the game assures fairness. Moreover, the matches will be competitive as you push your skills and your teammates to climb the ranks to the best of the best. Lastly, you can look forward to seasonal content, with each new season adding new game modes and additional cosmetic rewards.

Development

Sloclap and Kepler Interactive are working together to bring Rematch to market. Both studios are more popularly known for Sifu, which perhaps bears the closest resemblance to the upcoming game. I mean, the graphics and animations are so similar, it’s uncanny. Still, Sifu was excellent, which makes the wait for Rematch hopeful. Both studios have worked on more games.

However, Sloclap has been operating as an indie developer, with their first game being Absolver. They seem to be dipping their toes in fresh waters with a soccer game. Kepler Interactive, on the other hand, is a worldwide publisher and developer. They have lots of games in their portfolio: Solasta II, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, and Ultros, to name a few.

Trailer

Rematch’s reveal trailer is out now. It’s quite smooth, with the gameplay already seeming like a blast. It’s definitely fast-paced, too, with split-seconds to make decisions. If you’ve ever wanted to play Rocket League without cars, this is the game for you. 

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Rematch is coming soon. That’s about all we know concerning the release date. We do know, though, that it’ll be coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms. However, no editions have been confirmed yet. For the information still in the wind, you can add Rematch to your Steam wishlist to stay up to date. You can also follow the official social handle here to receive any future announcements on your timeline ahead of the launch.

If you simply cannot wait to play the game, you’re in luck. There’s an ongoing Beta test where you can try out the game before it launches. Be sure to register your interest via the official website here. The Beta test aims to iron out the online co-op mode and collect your feedback, which will go a long way to perfecting the gameplay experience.

So, what’s your take? Will you be grabbing a copy of Rematch when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.