Rematch

Rematch takes a refreshing, skill-based approach to football games that can be just as frustrating as it is thrilling

A heart-pumping genre superlative that should not be missed despite some technical issues to sort out.

"Go gung-ho and you swiftly lose match after match, along with your patience."

Rematch is very close to being a brilliant online sports title, and we're confident it can reach its full potential with the right updates and post-launch support. The gameplay has depth, and successful team play is super rewarding. Once it gets past its early teething issues, this has real potential to take off.

Rematch is an addictive blend of Rocket League and real football that's sure to prove a hit on Xbox Game Pass and beyond. The difficult controls might put some people off in the early hours, but its "just one more game" feel should keep most playing beyond the teething period - and that's when it really comes into its own. The developers have done a fantastic job with this one, and I can't wait to see how it evolves in the weeks, months and years to come.

Sloclap is onto something here, and I even found myself sneaking a couple matches when I got stuck writing this review. That’s a hell of an accomplishment. Now all I need to do is find a regular team. Anybody looking to kick a ball around?

I love how solid it feels, whether I'm between the pipes or out on the pitch, and how intense the matches can get whether I'm playing the ranked 5v5 mode or the more casual 3v3. But the lack of content, poor design choices, and a lacking art style combined with a slow-progressing battle pass-like structure and less-than-inspired unlockable cosmetics cut the whole package of Rematch at its knees.

While there's a lot to love about Sifu developer Sloclap's new multiplayer soccer game Rematch, it scores a few own goals.

I still believe Rematch is a game-changer in the football-video game genre that has an extensive global market, allowing for a great reception. But the fundamental problem of making strangers work as a team exists more than it should, and forces a major change before the game becomes a piece of history. Otherwise, everything else is super-fun, especially playing with a full squad of friends.

From the studio's perspective, Rematch is certainly a bold gambit. The multiplayer space is a crowded one and players are already entrenched in their preferred titles. Many would have expected Sloclap to follow-up Sifu with a sequel or yet another martial arts game. But with Rematch, the developer has tried to infuse its expertise with games involving physical combat into a football pitch. The result is a crunchingly satisfying experience that combines action and arcade sports convincingly. Afterall, a football match is a fight, too.