From Fists to Kicks: Why Sifu Devs Are Betting Big on Their New Soccer Game ‘Rematch’

by

Instead of engaging in intense martial arts combat like in Sifu by Sloclap, their new game Rematch switches things up, having you skillfully manipulate a soccer ball with moves just as thrilling. From performing rainbow shots to pulling off bicycle kicks, the focus is on showcasing your abilities on the field. This sporty twist mirrors the studio’s high-energy fighting style and has already caught the attention of many.

Ten years ago, the indie Parisian studio Sloclap embarked on their journey without much expectation as to where they would end up. Their debut game, Absolver, released in 2017, combined intense hand-to-hand combat with an RPG system for equipment. Fast forward five years, and they unleashed Sifu, a grueling martial arts brawler that gained massive popularity. So much so, it attracted the creator of John Wick to develop a film based on it, and even managed to secure a highlight in Amazon’s Secret Level.

After selling over three million copies, one might expect a sequel for Sifu, but as of now, there isn’t a Sifu 2. Instead, the developers from France have chosen to create something entirely novel. This new game revolves around soccer and harks back to the era of arcade-style titles such as Mario Strikers, where the primary focus is on fun.

As the anticipated launch of Rematch on June 19th nears, we had a chat with its Creative Director, Pierre Tarno, who shared insights about the game. He also explained Sloclap’s decision not to opt for the familiar path after Sifu.

What is Rematch?

In Rematch, you’ll experience the thrill of being a lone player in a popular 5-a-side game, cherished by many casual soccer enthusiasts who play with friends. Instead of enduring a muddy field on a Sunday morning with minimal ball contact, 5-on-5 soccer offers the opportunity to snatch the ball from the goalkeeper and attempt a shot from the halfway line. The spirit of enjoyment and camaraderie is what Tarno and the team aim to capture as you engage in this game.

Rematch is all about the pleasure of playing football as a team,” he shared with us. “Watching players combine forces, cheer for excellent moves, or simply giggle on the field – these moments are what truly fulfill us.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the swift and responsive gameplay in

The game is accessible for beginners who can quickly get the hang of it, even without much prior gaming experience. At the same time, advanced players with extensive hours under their belt continue to discover new strategies and perfect their skills. Just like in Rocket League, individuals at any level of expertise can find something valuable from playing it.

According to the creative director, “Rematch” was designed to offer a relaxed, sociable gaming environment. It’s simple enough for beginners to grasp and fun to play with friends. However, for those seeking a tougher challenge, it has sufficient complexity. Although the mechanical skill cap may not reach the heights of games like Rocket League, at an advanced level, when players are able to perform flawlessly, it shifts focus to mental strategies and mind games, much like in fighting games.

Squad goals

Since you’re the sole player on a team of five, Sloclap needed to make certain each player has ample opportunities to handle the ball. This task is more manageable in small-scale games than on a standard-sized field, but it’s still crucial that no one player monopolizes the ball.

In his admission, Tarno acknowledged one of the main hurdles was encouraging teamwork among the players. Instead of hoarding the ball, we wanted them to pass it swiftly to their teammates. A possible solution is to enhance the defense and make players susceptible when they have the ball. Preliminary Beta results indicate this strategy seems effective – players are indeed collaborating more with each other!

The challenge posed by the high skill cap is undeniably one of the factors that keep gamers coming back for more. It’s simple enough to get started and enjoy a bit, but mastering particular skills or strategies with your team could take weeks. Even after spending a dozen hours in the beta, I barely scratched the surface compared to what I saw in viral clips on social media.

As a passionate gamer, I can tell you that pushing boundaries and crafting unforgettable gaming adventures is what truly fuels the spirit of Tarno and his team at Sloclap. Instead of just churning out a sequel to satisfy the 3 million fans of Sifu, they’ve chosen to move on from one idea and explore fresh pastures. As Tarno himself explained, they’re not content with settling down in one place for too long; they yearn for the thrill of innovation and new challenges.

Working as an autonomous studio allows us the freedom to pick our own projects, and we’re eager to seize this opportunity by exploring fresh concepts, even if they require daring creative leaps or confronting more complex design hurdles. Although Rematch deviates from Sifu and Absolver, which concentrated on martial arts combat, it shares similarities with them as a demanding third-person action game, featuring refined and responsive gameplay mechanics. Hence, while it’s not a complete departure, it’s still distinct in its own right.

For those curious, let me clarify that a Sifu 2 isn’t outright ruled out. When questioned about the prospect of a sequel, Tarno stated: “We thought it was time for something new. However, we do have concepts brewing, and we’ve learned not to rule anything out completely – so who knows?

Here for the long haul

For the moment, Sloclap’s focus is primarily on Rematch, with numerous ongoing projects and plans for the future. Although they are open to the idea of a Rocket League-style professional esport based on community interest, they are prepared to offer tools that empower players to arrange their own competitions.

The feature will encompass a complete “spectator mode”, and eventually, players may participate in tournaments right within the game.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TopMob (@dexerto)

Apart from tournaments, there are numerous other plans we’re excited to explore with the game. Our aim is to sustain the game for a long period, and we have an abundance of exciting concepts in store such as unique game modes, competitive elements, player customization options, various stadium designs, and AR (Augmented Reality) environments. We will be revealing details about our plans for the first year very soon.

On June 19, Rematch will be released for PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Prior to that, there’s another Closed Beta phase happening, starting on May 28 and ending on May 30. This beta is available across all platforms.

Read More

2025-05-20 09:52