Even before its official release, the soccer game Rematch quickly attracted nearly 1.9 million players during its beta phase, becoming one of the most played titles on Steam while still active.
This is a strong indication of the immense appeal of the new game developed by Sloclap – the studio that previously gained fame with the martial arts title Sifu.
In the context where EA FC (formerly FIFA) still holds a strong position in the football game market, numerous “newcomers” like UFL and Goals have emerged, aiming to break the monopoly.
However, instead of following the traditional simulation route with official licenses or building a realistic model, Rematch opts for a unique approach – an arcade-style game rich in color, focusing on cooperative gameplay. According to Sloclap, the recently concluded beta version of Rematch recorded nearly 1.9 million players on both Steam and consoles. In a short time, the gaming community has engaged with over 6.7 million matches – a staggering number for a newly released sports game.
What makes Rematch particularly distinct is its complete departure from traditional soccer games. The gameplay is structured around 5v5 matches, where each player controls a single player instead of an entire team. The familiar top-down perspective is replaced by a third-person view behind the character, allowing players to observe the field dynamically. There are no penalty kicks, no free kicks, and no interruptions – Rematch emphasizes fast-paced, fluid, and engaging gameplay. While players can choose their own play style, the key focus is on teamwork and creating new scoring opportunities. The character’s movement style in Rematch is highly rated for its agility and fluidity – qualities that Sloclap previously excelled at in Sifu. Ultimately, Rematch presents a refreshing new wave in the sports game genre – both modern and unique, captivating casual and hardcore gamers alike.
Although the game will not be free when officially released on June 19, with a projected price potentially reaching nearly 400,000 VND, the beta version has shown undeniable appeal that cannot be overlooked. Notably, the game also ranked in the top 5 most played games on Steam throughout its beta period – a remarkable achievement for a sports game, especially since the PC gaming market has not been known to be “dominated” by this genre as consoles have been.
