In summer, a football game called Rematch is released, which resembles Rocket League and does not follow the strict rules of the popular sport.
What kind of game is this? The developer studio Slocap has started a beta test for the upcoming sports game “Rematch,” in which players can participate on Steam.
- Rematch (PC, PS, Xbox) is a multiplayer game where 2 teams of 5 players compete against each other in a football match.
- The character of the game is much more reminiscent of games like Rocket League or Roller Champions than of football simulations like EA FC (formerly FIFA) or eFootball (formerly Pro Evolution Soccer).
- There is no real referee in Rematch who whistles according to strict rules. You can tackle your opponents without injuring them.
The gameplay core focuses on skillful play and teamwork. You can leave your opponents behind with impressive tricks and take the lead with spectacular shots, but those who only go for solo plays will not succeed. Additionally, someone should always keep an eye on defense – the last man takes on the role of the goalkeeper.
Thousands of players want to play digital football without an annoying referee
Here’s how the beta works: The closed beta test of Rematch started on Friday, April 18, 2025, and has since attracted numerous interested players. Just a few hours after the beta launch, the game recorded 118,739 simultaneous active players on Steam (via SteamDB).
That is more players than the latest installment from Electronic Arts, “EA Sports FC 25,” managed to attract at its peak on Steam (via SteamDB). However, keep in mind that these are only the Steam player numbers – EA FC is primarily played on consoles like the PS5 and is also available in the in-house EA App on PC.
A current criticism of the beta is the server connection. Some players are experiencing connection problems and high ping (via Reddit).
The biggest discussion around the game currently revolves around the price. Rematch will cost around €25 at release on June 19, 2025. However, some players expect it to be a free-to-play title. There are already voices on Reddit saying it is fundamentally a good game that is fun and justifies the price.
How well Rematch will be received at release and whether it can attract players despite the price will be revealed in the summer. However, the developer studio Sloclap has already gained the trust of many players with their currently youngest game, “Sifu.” On Steam, Sifu has over 92% positive reviews, even though it is considered quite difficult and causes some players to despair: Gamer plays for 30 years but says about one game: “I had trouble getting through the tutorial”.
