Rematch Game Review: How Sloclap's New Sports Title Combines Skill with Challenges for Online Players

After years of driving cars to put enormous balls into goals, someone came up with the concept of doing the same with people. That's right, everyone, if you want to know what it's like to play Rocket League with humans, you need learn about Rematch. This is the latest game from Sloclap, the studio that created the excellent game Sifu. I didn't expect a sports game from them, but they did an excellent job.

I was looking forward to Rematch since it was introduced. I've always wanted to see arcade-style sports games return. Sloclap delivered on this one. You may be perplexed by the fact that the same team that created Sifu is also developing a multiplayer arcade soccer game. But this is just what they did. And, despite some initial setbacks, it's very good.

This game is a significant addition to the Xbox Game Pass collection, entering as a day one title. Those that pay for Game Pass will be able to play it as soon as it is released, rather than having to purchase it separately. This is a fantastic addition. It makes the game easily accessible to a big number of players right away. This can help a new online game quickly grow its user base.

Early server issues and how the game still manages to shine through the problems.

Dealing With Lag and Connection Problems While Enjoying the Core Fun of Rematch

Let us begin by dealing with the difficult issues. During my early gameplay, I experienced network difficulties and slowness. I had some difficult games in which I obviously hit the ball, but it was gone. Well, I should mention it was with my opponent going in the opposite direction. I even played a game with a friend where he made an excellent save only to have the ball pass right past his character for a goal. It was a bizarre moment to witness play out on film.

To Sloclap's credit, they have been transparent about these concerns. They're working to fix these. They recently issued a patch as part of this endeavor. I should also mention that many of my games went smoothly with no major concerns. This means that server troubles are not regular, but when they do occur, they can be very frustrating. It's always a concern for online games, especially at launch, but it appears the crew is on top of things. I only hope everything becomes entirely smooth soon.

When lag occurs, it might be a serious issue. It can undermine the sense of control. You can think you're doing everything correctly, but the game doesn't show it. When the game functions properly, it plays nicely. Sloclap's distinct graphic style, as well as the ability for players to fully control their character, combine to create a really fluid soccer game. However, lag can be very frustrating. It is difficult to practice precise passes or complicated maneuvers when the game does not respond as expected. This type of behavior has caused me to stop playing other online sports games in the past.

What Makes Rematch Gameplay Unique and Worth Trying For Sports Fans?

In this new title, we explore the manual control system and the importance of teamwork.

Now that we've covered the bad, let's move on to the good. Rematch is exactly what I expect from an arcade sports game. The controls are easy to learn, but some of the methods require time to master. You can perform movements such as rainbow kicks with little effort. However, they are also easy to protect. You simply need to learn when and how to be active on defense. The Sloclap crew, which excels at fighting games, devised a way to incorporate that relentless counter-play into a soccer game. It's surprisingly effective and adds a lot of depth to the contests.

Movement is also simple to understand. You have a stamina bar that decreases while you press the sprint button. You can also get a "extra effort" boost by tapping the sprint button twice. Once you've used the extra effort, it needs to recharge. That lift provides you a significant advantage in open spaces. However, moving quickly with the ball makes it more difficult to control. These characteristics are in place to ensure that teamwork is prioritized in the game. You will not win a match on your own unless you play against folks who have no understanding how to play. Using your teammates is essential; passing and spacing are quite important. When you play as a team, you can go down the field quickly and score great goals. One game, my teammate's pass bounced off the top of the goal, and I scored an awesome acrobatic goal. It was a moment that demonstrated how wonderfully teamwork can function.

This game is arguably the closest we've gotten to a soccer "simulation" in some ways, despite its arcade-like appearance. Everything is done manually, therefore there is a significant learning curve. For decades, most soccer games have handled things for us automatically. When you press pass, the ball nearly sticks to your teammates. When you shoot, the ball feels as if it is being tugged toward the goal. The game also greatly facilitates dribbling. In Rematch, everything is completely manual. Shooting requires the usage of both analog sticks and the shooting button. The right stick is for shooting, while the left stick is for curving. If you want to pass, hold the stick in that direction to ensure it reaches them. You'll frequently pass a bit behind or too far in front until you get used to it. Even defending, as both a player and a goalkeeper, is done manually. It takes some time to adjust, but if you stick with it, you will gain a fantastic sense of accomplishment when you are very proficient at the sport. Even in my brief time with the game, I managed to pull off some incredible moments. I can only image how much better they will get as I progress.

Looking Ahead: Crossplay, Seasonal Content, and the Overall Value of Rematch

What Sloclap Has Planned, And Is The Game Worth The Price For Players

Rematch did not come with crossplay. This was slightly underwhelming. Sloclap stated that they worked extremely hard to incorporate it at launch. However, they encountered technical difficulties because Rematch is their first crossplay product. They were not able to complete the feature on time. They admitted they should have notified gamers sooner when it became evident that crossplay would not be available at launch. They apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. Their top priority is crossplay, which they are working hard to release as soon as possible. They will provide a more specific date soon.

Sloclap might have postponed the Rematch to incorporate crossplay. I don't believe anyone would have been upset. However, they elected to release the game without it. They wished to avoid delaying it. They offered a wonderful experience. I'm hoping they add some single-player options eventually. But for now, I'm fine. I haven't had so much fun with a solely multiplayer game in a long time. I can't wait for my friends to all be online at once so we can take over the field. This game is currently available for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5.

When it comes to cost, Rematch is a game that requires payment. It is not free-to-play, like Rocket League has become. While the gameplay is enjoyable, there aren't many modes or material available for the price at launch. You'll get a tutorial, practice mode, a cinematic tutorial dubbed Prologue, and online matches. The online options are also quite basic: 3v3, 4v4, 5v5, ranked 5v5 (available only after level 5), and custom matches. There are no computer-controlled opponents, nor are there any single-player story options. This makes me think if it should have been free to play, much like Rocket League. Fortunately, Xbox players with Game Pass Ultimate may include it as part of their subscription, making the decision much easier.

The game looks fantastic. If you've played Sifu, you'll recognize Sloclap's distinct visual flair. Characters are large and bold. They move in a way that allows for more control, which is essential in a soccer game. The places where you play are highly colorful. Some even change during games or after goals. The Jungle stage is very good. You may also make your players appear unique. After you score, the large scoreboard on the wall looks really nice. The game also sounds good. Player calls are distinct, and the ball makes a loud noise when hit. The crowd roar is simply perfect. All of these can be modified, but Sloclap appears to have put them up correctly from the beginning.

Finally, Sloclap has erected a few minor roadblocks to enjoying and purchasing Rematch. But beneath all of that is one of the most enjoyable soccer games I've ever played. It is waiting to grow and be discovered. You simply need to look past the problems. You should also be comfortable paying for the game up front. This game shows a lot of promise for the future.