I’m Amazed The Rematch Team Didn’t Look To Blue Lock For Inspiration

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2025 has seen me growing increasingly fond of Rematch, a game that even with its early access vibe, is captivating. The twist of transforming the classic football (or soccer for those across the pond) gameplay into a fast-paced, intricate spectacle focusing on daring stunts and heroic saves has been refreshing. This shift results in exhilarating victories and heartbreaking losses, which is why I find myself hooked – just as I am with games like Rocket League or Apex Legends. Rematch’s appeal also mirrors that of Blue Lock, a manga/anime frequently compared to it.

As a fan myself, I was taken aback to discover that numerous creators have been referencing Blue Lock in their work, far more than I had anticipated! This revelation came directly from Rematch’s creative director, Pierre Tarno, via email. It turns out that the widespread popularity of this manga/anime wasn’t something they were fully aware of beforehand. Although it wasn’t a primary influence for the game, there’s no denying that some members within their team are fans and appreciate Blue Lock!

For those not familiar, Blue Lock centers around three hundred Japanese high school soccer players who are confined within a secret training facility under the watchful eye of enigmatic coach Jinpachi Ego. His ultimate goal is to transform one of these young athletes into the world’s greatest striker – an individual so self-centered that they would disregard Japan’s emphasis on teamwork, solely focusing on scoring goals no matter the cost, and ultimately lead the Japanese national soccer team to victory. The remaining 299 players will find their careers in Japan coming to a halt if they fail to meet Ego’s expectations.

In many ways, playing Rematch mirrors the actions of characters in Blue Lock, where they embody exaggerated football skills of legendary players. For instance, much like Meguru Bachira, you can excel at intricate dribbling and swift step-overs to outmaneuver defenders on your own, passing only when your teammates challenge your creativity. Similarly, Seishirō Nagi’s style comes alive in you, as you perform skillful ball takedowns, employ deception, maintain control, and show off acrobatic finesse to become a prolific goal-scorer. Lastly, like Shōei Barō, you can intercept passes intended for teammates or even steal the ball from them while they dribble, scoring a goal yourself to captivate the audience as the match’s villain. Despite the opening sequence of Rematch promoting different ideals, the gameplay itself encourages self-centered play.

In Rematch, just like Blue Lock, the rules and environment are designed similarly. A notable aspect of one of its earliest (and beloved) arcs involves 3-player, 4-player, and 5-player matches where everyone is aiming to score. There’s no off-sides rule, and the advanced facility housing all players leans towards futuristic.

A swift exploration for “Rematch Blue Lock” will uncover numerous videos on TikTok and YouTube showcasing individuals imitating the manga/anime by performing extraordinary feats solo instead of passing the ball to their teammates, even when the opposition converges on them. Moreover, I’ve often encountered players who have crafted their characters to resemble Nagi with extremely pale skin, short, white hair, and a black jersey number 11, or Bachira with a tanned complexion, medium-length dyed yellow hair tips, and a blue jersey bearing the number 8.

It’s clear that while many people playing Rematch may enjoy it, not everyone necessarily does so because they are fans of Blue Lock. Instead, I imagine most players are like Richard Wakeling, who reviewed Rematch for TopMob. He likely plays Rematch due to his passion for the sport in real life or appreciation for Sloclap’s work.

However, it’s also evident that a significant number of gamers are drawn to Rematch because they want to live out their Blue Lock fantasies. These players often seek to embody the match’s hero, scoring impressive goals and performing dazzling moves worthy of highlight reels.

Although there are noticeable similarities, it’s important to clarify that Rematch is not about Sloclap trying to replicate Blue Lock’s narrative. Instead, they aren’t aiming to emulate a specific football-centered story at all.

Tarno explained that the game’s ambiance and visual style were primarily influenced by the game’s core principles, rather than by specific sources in media. ‘Rematch’, a football game centered around the pleasure of playing with friends, emphasizes that while individual skills are important, they are never enough. Ultimately, it’s the teamwork and sportsmanship that truly matter. This focus on cooperation and positive competition shaped our decisions regarding the setting and art direction, creating a vibrant, optimistic depiction of the future.

Sloclap expresses optimism for the long-term success of Rematch, and they are currently developing post-cross-play updates for the game.

Tarno mentioned that during the beta phase, some unique tactics and gameplay elements began to surface, which were further refined during the launch week. Most of these strategies are legitimate and should remain in the game, however, there’s an exploit we’ll be getting rid of called the ‘dolphin jump.’ This is a maneuver where players take advantage of the outfield dive to move faster even when they’ve depleted their stamina. We’re exploring alternative methods for enhancing movement speed and stamina management, but this specific one appears odd and will be eliminated from the game.

Just like many multiplayer games that have come before it, Rematch is adapting as more players join, and its creators, Sloclap, mentioned that the game’s vision of Rematch might evolve in response to player preferences. While a collaboration with Blue Lock isn’t likely (although we never know what could happen post-Fortnite), other aspects of the game are being revised to reflect changing priorities – for instance, the 5v5 mode is no longer the standard mode, despite being set up initially as the default for ranked matches.

Originally, our plan for the game was to offer a 5 versus 5 mode, which provides more opportunities for strategic positioning, demands accurate passing, and encourages players to think critically about the flow of the game. However, we find that many players enjoy and request the faster-paced 3 versus 3 game mode as well. Ultimately, it seems to boil down to player preference.

I concur with the general consensus. While Sloclap aims for a 5 vs 5 setup in Rematch, I believe the game offers a more tactical and strategic experience on the confined 3 vs 3 and 4 vs 4 pitches. It’s also simpler for the goalkeeper or sweeper to communicate actions, remain involved, and feel valuable within the smaller play area.

Couldn’t it be exciting if we let the goalkeeper unleash a final, powerful shachihoko-like fish kick to rescue the ball, reminiscent of Blue Lock’s Gin Gagamaru? What a thrill that would be!

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2025-06-25 21:09