When Sloclap, the team behind the acclaimed martial arts brawler Sifu, revealed they were working on a soccer game, it definitely raised some eyebrows. Known for tight, responsive gameplay and slick visual flair, the studio seemed an unlikely candidate to take on the world’s most popular sport. But with Rematch, they’ve done something genuinely refreshing: crafted a competitive, stylized game that blends the intensity of real-world soccer with just enough arcade energy to keep things fast, accessible, and fun.
Rematch doesn’t throw out realism entirely. Instead, it walks the line, combining fluid movement, precise controls, and smart team dynamics with flashy animations and creative freedom. The result is a game that respects the fundamentals of soccer while offering a fresh alternative to the ultra-sim approach of titles like EA Sports FC or eFootball. It may not be perfect out of the gate, but Rematch has all the makings of something special.
Rematch Review
From the opening kick while playing for this review, it’s clear that Rematch benefits from the polished movement Sloclap is known for. Player fluidity is top-tier, with responsive controls that make each dash, tackle, and shot feel smooth and satisfying. It truly feels like the movement system of Sifu was adapted for the pitch, and, somehow, it just works.
The control scheme is relatively easy to grasp, especially after running through the tutorials that are highly recommended. However, easy to grasp does not mean easy to master. Gaining possession of the ball, passing and shooting are fully manual, which creates a steep learning curve but also a deeply rewarding skill ceiling.
Shooting and passing require you to hit the corresponding button while also aiming with your left and right thumbstick (on controller) or with your mouse. When using a controller, which the developers do actually recommend, you’ll use the right stick to aim and left stick to curve on shots and passes.
There’s a real satisfaction that comes from curving a shot past a goalie using just the right amount of pressure and stick direction, or using the back wall to make a perfect pass to a teammate for a tap-in goal. At the same time, this precision means panic moments can result in wild, misfired shots that remind you how unforgiving the system can be.
But it’s worth sticking with. Mastery always feels within reach, and it keeps you coming back.
There’s also a mini-map on screen that comes in handy more often than not. Admittedly, I’m not usually a fan of mini-maps in games like this. But, I’ll say that it has helped me find better positioning or keep an eye on teammates and opponents when I don’t see them in my line of sight.
Not Your Typical Soccer Sim
Rematch isn’t EA Sports FC or eFootball or even UFL, and that’s the point. Rematch isn’t trying to simulate real-world soccer, it’s a hybrid of arcade flair with just enough grounded mechanics to keep it from feeling completely chaotic. Think stylish skill moves and over-the-top tackles blended with authentic field positioning and timing-based passing. It’s a tightrope walk between fun and finesse, and Sloclap mostly nails the balance.
And speaking of balance: one of the most surprisingly polished areas is goaltending. It’s not just playable, it’s fun. Possibly the most enjoyable goalie experience in a soccer game, period. The mix of player control, reflex saves, and positioning makes keeping a clean sheet feel as heroic as scoring a hat trick or game-winning goal.
Add to that a persistent overtime mechanic where matches continue seamlessly after time expires until someone wins, and it makes for intense, unforgettable finishes.
Rematch boasts a bold art style that complements its gameplay. It’s clean, stylized, and modern—a look that’s visually striking without being overwhelming. The character customization is solid out of the gate, offering options like prosthetics and vitiligo, real-world representations (of which, I suffer from the latter) that are often overlooked in gaming. More general variety would be welcome, especially for kits and cosmetic , but what’s here feels fine for now.
Game modes include tutorials and single-player freeplay; unranked matches at 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5; 5v5 Ranked; and a cinematic prologue that, while unnecessary, doesn’t overstay its welcome. One mode that would’ve been really nice to have at launch is a team-based practice or AI option to help build up that chemistry.
That, along with others like a club creation and tournament mode are also in the pipeline, and could help grow and sustain the community over time.
I also have to mention the various stadiums. While they don’t do anything aside from providing aesthetics, some are really nice like when you’re playing outside of the International Space Station. Others, however, are painful on the eyes such as playing in a desert against a team wearing white.
Growing Pains
While there’s a lot to like about Rematch, we have to talk about the elephant on the pitch: networking and desync problems. At launch, Rematch struggled with matchmaking bugs, ball sync issues, and desyncs where your screen showed something completely different from your teammate’s…or the replay’s. When it comes to ball sync , you’ll find yourself in the middle of a game, only for the ball to become untouchable for a few seconds before it rubber bands, causing absolute chaos. Daily hotfixes have noticeably improved stability, and the difference even within the first weekend was encouraging. Still, there’s work to be done.
One major omission is crossplay, which didn’t make it into the launch build despite it being a major feature. It’s a disappointing absence, especially for a team-based game in 2025. That said, Sloclap has acknowledged it and says it’s a top priority. But that doesn’t stop it from limiting what could be a growing esports community.
There are a few other nagging issues that stand out as well. Controller players currently have no option for remapping their controls, which limits accessibility and flexibility. On the gameplay side, both slide tackles and ball flicks feel a bit too overpowered, disrupting the balance in key moments. And goal credit inconsistencies, like when a clean slide tackle deflects the ball into the net but the scorer goes uncredited, can be frustrating when you’re trying to track your performance or support your teammates.
Also, with it being an online-only game, Rematch is better when you have at least one or two other friends to play with, if not a whole squad. Playing solo with a full team of randoms can get frustrating due to lack of communication and positioning with others.
Oh, and one final note: make the pass. Seriously. It’s a team game and Rematch does a great job of rewarding you even if you don’t show up on the scoresheet. You don’t need to be the hero every play. Your teammate is wide open. Just hit the button.
Rematch Review Verdict: The Final Whistle
At $30, Rematch sits in that awkward middle tier of pricing: not a premium AAA title, but not quite impulse-buy territory either. For some, that price might be a sticking point depending on the depth you’re looking for. But if you’re looking for a fresh, competitive soccer experience that breaks the mold, Rematch is worth your time and money.
It’s not perfect. But the foundation is incredibly strong, the fun far outweighs the flaws, and Sloclap has proven that it’s listening and iterating quickly. If this is Rematch at launch, I’m excited to see what it becomes.
4 – Great
What do you think of our review of Rematch? Let us know your thoughts on the game down below, and join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming forums. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Insider Gaming newsletter.
NOTE: A copy of Rematch on PC was provided to Insider Gaming for the purposes of this review.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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