Rematch Review – Unbelievable Tekkers

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Following their success in creating intense melee combat and martial arts action with Absolver and Sifu, it’s safe to say that few anticipated Slocap’s next project to be a football game resembling EA Sports FC’s arcade version. However, the French developers have managed to create just that with Rematch – a football game that embodies the excitement and unpredictability of playing a friendly match with friends.

The errant passes, the goalkeeper who suddenly decides he wants to be a striker, and the unexpected goals from nowhere all evoke memories of my childhood, filled with hours upon hours of football play. At school, I would often skip meals just to play during the entire lunch break; when not in school, I would gather friends and head to the local park, using coats as temporary goalposts.

While other games have attempted this five-a-side style of football before, none have come as close as Rematch does to encapsulating the spirit of my footballing prime.

Instead of commanding an entire team, Rematch places you in the shoes of a solitary player for 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 encounters. A brief introduction and some solo training games are provided initially, but from then on, you’ll be competing with and against other human opponents. Each match spans six minutes, and a rule known as “mercy” ends the game if one team achieves a four-goal lead (perhaps Rematch developers didn’t witness Newcastle vs. Arsenal in 2011). The only pauses occur when a goal is scored; otherwise, the game is fast-paced and breaks most rules. There are no fouls, offsides, or handballs, and throw-ins, corners, and goal kicks don’t exist due to a boundary made of giant transparent walls surrounding the pitch. This sets an energetic tempo. At times it can be disorganized, but at other moments you might feel like Messi. There are no character advancements or skill points to enhance your player’s abilities; everyone starts on equal ground, so only those with exceptional skills will excel.

In Rematch, you’ll encounter a significant learning hurdle due to its unique, physics-driven gameplay mechanics and camera positioning. Unlike games like EA Sports FC, where you can choose a camera that follows your player closely in Pro Clubs or the player career mode, Rematch keeps the camera positioned behind your player, immersing you directly into the action. Although a mini-map is provided to help navigate the field, it’s not common to see the entire pitch from the traditional sideline view. This unconventional playing style, combined with an enclosed playfield and futuristic stadiums, gives Rematch a feel reminiscent of Rocket League, if Rocket League were played without cars. So, if you think of Rocket League as football with cars, then consider Rematch as Rocket League, minus the cars.

Rematch, unlike games such as EA FC and Pro Evolution Soccer, has a unique control scheme that may require an adaptation period due to its departure from conventions established over the past 20 years. For instance, shooting in this game is more like firing a gun than kicking a football because you need to aim a reticle with the right stick while pulling the right trigger. Additionally, to score accurately, you must turn your player’s head directly towards the goal instead of just watching the ball. However, once you get accustomed to these differences and start scoring more frequently, it becomes incredibly satisfying. Moreover, some of the spectacular volleys you can execute in the game seem to be inspired by Shaolin Soccer.

In this game, it’s easier to pass due to some assist, but you won’t be making effortless passes like a pro player without practice. You need skill to find the perfect power for a through ball, and poor aiming will lead to missed passes and frustrated teammates. But sometimes, precision isn’t necessary. The pitch walls can help deflect the ball to a teammate or set up a surprise shot. Nothing confuses defenders and goalkeepers more than an intentional misdirected shot that bounces back for a swift volley. While slick passing moves are the most satisfying, trick shots aren’t far behind. I wish there was a way in the game to save or rewatch replays.

Instead of relying solely on your arsenal of fancy tricks to get around defenders, consider mixing it up by occasionally employing some Brazilian-style skill moves. For instance, you could feint one way and then swiftly move the other to dodge a slide tackle, or use an audacious rainbow flick to evade a defender who’s off guard. While these moves are eye-catching and can be useful, they need to be used wisely… only in appropriate situations. A well-executed rainbow flick could momentarily free you from the grasp of a single opponent, but it also reduces your speed, potentially leaving you vulnerable to another attacker closing in. It’s crucial to remember that skill moves have their time and place, and not everyone may fully appreciate their use. Consequently, the biggest challenge you might face when playing Rematch is the players you’re teamed up with.

In team-based multiplayer games like Rematch, it’s not unusual to encounter folks who believe they’re the star player, even early on. To set the record straight, I’m not exempt from this ego trip either. Sometimes, I find myself thinking I’m as skillful as Thierry Henry, forgetting that I might be better off guarding my own goalpost. However, my brief moments of overconfidence don’t hold a candle to the players who refuse to pass, take shots from the halfway line with no chance of scoring, and completely ignore their goalkeeping responsibilities.

In the game Rematch, traditional goalkeepers don’t exist. Instead, a player is rotated into this position each time a team scores. However, the game also incorporates “rush ‘keepers,” allowing for goalkeeper swaps at any moment. Rotating players seems like a good idea to prevent anyone from being stuck in goal throughout an entire match. However, I’ve found myself scoring own goals quite frequently due to keepers rushing up the field or attempting fancy moves just outside their own box. I hope this behavior will diminish over time. Interestingly, I’ve noticed less of it in ranked matches, which can be played once you reach level five, so things are looking promising. Playing with friends remains the most enjoyable experience, although cross-play’s delay complicates matters. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t an option to group up when you manage to find a match with competent teammates through the game’s matchmaking system.

I find myself greatly empathizing with goalkeepers who let goals in despite their best efforts to keep a shutout. At times, it seems like trying to catch a shot is just a matter of luck. You can decide which direction to dive, but there are moments when you’ll unexpectedly dive the wrong way. The ball sometimes deceptively slips beneath your outstretched body or soars over your head, making goalkeeping feel more dependent on luck than skill. One game you might save numerous shots, while another you might fail to stop shots you believed were catchable. It can be discouraging.

The gameplay of defending in this game is often problematic due to Rematch’s unreliable network coding. At times, you may try to make a tackle but pass right through your opponent, or even manage to take control of the ball back, only to watch it mysteriously reappear on the other team’s feet. When tackles work smoothly, they feel satisfyingly solid, but lag and synchronization problems can be frustrating. Slocap has addressed some issues already, which suggests they are actively working on improvements, although this hasn’t stopped me from encountering uneven teams or occasional crashes to the desktop while playing on PC. The game would benefit from a reporting system for intentional griefers, as it currently allows players to spoil matches for everyone without any consequences.

Another point to consider is the aspect of durability. Slocap has unveiled upcoming updates, such as a tournament system for competitive matches and fresh quick-play options. At present, we can’t fully assess these enhancements; however, the current appeal of climbing the rank ladder to access cosmetics in a battle pass seems somewhat lackluster. Regardless of whether it’s a new tattoo, hairstyle, or jacket, the cosmetics are visually appealing, and the game’s painterly aesthetic is captivating. Yet, it’s hard not to notice the underlying intent to extract more of your funds. Alongside a premium battle pass, individual cosmetics can also be bought, even featuring a Ronaldinho skin at launch. As more characters are expected to join in future, this fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) strategy for microtransactions feels as off-putting here as it does in other games.

In several aspects, the game Rematch resembles an early-access title, given the absence of certain features, server glitches, and peculiarities in gameplay that require refinement. However, it boasts a robust core mechanism, mirroring the exhilarating chaos of playing football with your schoolmates. Despite occasional disorganization and potential annoyance from other players, there are scarcely any instances where fun is not to be found. Unique in its genre, Rematch is both intuitive and intriguing, as the prospect of enhancing one’s skill level keeps you hooked. With some polishing, Slocap could create a truly remarkable game. Even in its present condition, turning down another round is a tough call to make.

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2025-06-23 21:40