The Steam gaming community is currently buzzing about a “dark horse” that is making waves: Rematch – a 5v5 arcade soccer game developed by Sloclap, which has officially entered the beta phase just before its launch in June.
Just a day after its beta release, the game quickly soared to the top 10 of the most played games on Steam, surpassing established giants like EA FC and FIFA, which have long dominated this genre.
Rematch has been affectionately nicknamed “Fifu” by the gaming community – a playful twist on FIFA’s franchise.
This game is an arcade-style soccer title that emphasizes non-stop action. There are no fouls, no injuries, and no stoppages – every match flows continuously and is filled with vibrant colors. Many players even liken Rematch to a blend of Rocket League with a traditional soccer ball experience. In Rematch, each player controls a single character, leading to unique plays that can either dazzle or frustrate opponents with strategic maneuvers. This approach has proven effective, especially considering the number of participants during the beta launch. According to data from SteamDB, Rematch attracted an impressive 146,573 concurrent players within 24 hours of its beta release – a number that hasn’t been reached by FIFA or EA Sports FC on Steam.
It’s worth noting that this is a free-to-play beta, while major competitors typically charge for their games. However, the presence of blockbuster titles like Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals in the top 10 on Steam highlights the potential for Rematch to climb even higher. In a recent blog post, Sloclap also shared insights into the game’s development direction and monetization strategy. The entire in-game economy will rely on cosmetic microtransactions only – there will be no pay-to-win mechanics, no loot boxes, and no deceptive practices. Rematch will feature a seasonal model with two tiers: free and premium. Notably, players who complete a season will earn currency (Quants) to purchase the next season’s ticket without needing to top up.
The beta version of Rematch is currently live on Steam and will run until May 31. The official game is set to launch on June 19, with a planned price of approximately $29.99. Players can register for the beta directly on the Steam store page or accept invites from friends currently participating. Sloclap has also indicated that access will be expanded to all Steam users during the testing phase.
