In the early 00s, offbeat sports games were king. From the slam-dunking shenanigans of NBA Street to Mario Strikers’ show-stopping absurdity, once serious competitions were reimagined as wonderfully silly grudge matches. Yet as the live service era arrived, sport sims became less about pulse-pumping plays, and more about collecting increasingly expensive virtual trading cards.Enter Rematch, a refreshingly action-packed reimagining of the beautiful game. Channelling the scrappy thrills of Powerleague five-a-side, Rematch sidelines Fifa’s team-focused tactics to put you in the studded boots of a single player. With controls like a third-person action game, developer Sloclap channels its martial arts-heavy experience with previous titles Sifu and Absolver into creating weighty, skill-driven football. It’s wonderfully agile, fast and furious stuff. Passes are delivered manually, shots are curled in the heat of the moment, and goalies come sprinting down the halfway line like an Oliver Kahn possessed. Gratuitous slide tackles and bicycle kicks are the order of the day, and as my teammates and I score our respective half-line screamers, I can’t stop grinning.“Fifa is a football simulation and Rematch is a football player simulation,” says creative director, Pierre Tarno. “In gaming this kind of pass to volley kick action simply does not exist any more. So, we thought: ‘Let’s make it happen!’”View image in fullscreenReflex-testing … Rematch.Photograph: SloclapWhere Sifu had you knocking seven shades of chi out of a slew of martial arts masters, Rematch channels similarly reflex-testing gameplay into a kickabout. Thanks to the high level of player control, matches get surprisingly sweaty surprisingly quickly. Without 10 other controllable players to consider, Rematch is a game of constant movement. Sprinting costs precious stamina, and holding the “run” button constantly à la Fifa is a swift way to fumble your shot. Thankfully, you’ve got a trick hidden under your knee pads. A tap of the bumper lets off a sudden, swift burst of speed. Tied to a separate meter, this emergency boost is great for chasing down the striker in your box or for ditching that defender snapping at your heels. Soon you’re balancing midfield and defensive play on the fly and charging into goalmouth scrambles in authentically scrappy fashion.Sporting an art style that’s part Breath of the Wild, part French impressionism, anime-esque speed lines follow your player as you sprint across each lusciously rendered pitch. Scoring a goal warps the virtual environment around you, the stage’s backdrop transforming Smash Bros-style, to match the leading team’s home stadium, as the ball hits the back of the net in an explosion of colour.According to Tarno, Rematch’s visuals were an attempt to recreate the look of soft dreamy paintings inside immersive 3D stadiums. Yet despite its endearingly cartoony look, there’s a welcome lack of screen-filling super moves and gravity defying feats. “We once had wall-running built into the game,” he says, “but it was a little too far from the credible football fantasy that we were aiming for.”View image in fullscreenA game of constant movement … Rematch.Photograph: SloclapThis is a world that’s bright in aesthetic and outlook. Set in 2065, instead of taking place inside video games’ usual grimdark dystopia, Sloclap offers a refreshingly optimistic view of the future, the environments focused on renewable energies and natural landscapes. One stadium is encased in a dam that generates hydraulic power, another sees your match unfolding nestled under a hillside with spinning wind turbines.“We wanted to dream up a world in which mankind has made the right choices, in which cooperation and resilience are shared values, on and off the pitch,” says Tarno. “It’s really about the joy of playing with friends.”Once the controls finally click, I am fully invested in my ramshackle team. Just like Sloclap’s previous output, Rematch is about mastery, a game where your avatar starts off at the height of their powers – it’s just up to you to figure out how best to wield them. It helps that in Rematch’s world, offsides, fouls and – mercifully – VAR are a thing of the past, with futuristic footie letting nothing slow the action. “I think players who aren’t fans of football will be surprised that they can still enjoy a football game, because it’s intense and dynamic,” says Tarno.As Rematch is online-only, a ball call system lets players raise their hand as they shout and request the ball, with players also able to track the position of the ball – and their teammates – on an FPS-style minimap. There’s more than a touch of Overwatch to Rematch’s futuristic footie. The squad-led approach and precise manual aiming mean it feels just as satisfying to set up a goal as it does to score one. Rematch also shares a sense of arcade kinship with Rocket League – yet where Psyonix’s unstoppable hit sees players launching their Hot Wheels-esque vehicles into comically large footballs, Rematch delivers a more plausible approximation of the game.Rematch is filled with fun player customisation, allowing you to design everything from home and away kits to picking your avatar’s piercings. In keeping with its more inclusive vision of the future, there’s a vitiligo selector and even options for customisable prostheses for your player. Rematch will be a paid release, and I’m told that around half of cosmetic items will be unlockable through play, with additional items sold via in-game currency.Regardless of price point, Tarno is acutely aware that only one thing truly matters. “There’s no secret formula to game development,” he says. “The only way to make a commercial success is to make a very good game. It’s truer in games than any other entertainment industry … gamers are a very discerning audience. They are often very analytical, very precise in their assessment of mechanics and what works and what doesn’t … If the game is not good enough, it simply won’t succeed.”This month’s open beta will be crucial to fine-tuning Rematch. So far at least, it’s been a promising first half. I came into my demo expecting Mario Strikers-esque throwaway fun, and left with sweat-drenched hands. Sloclap’s mission is to bring a sense of fun back into virtual football, and based on what I’ve seen bandied about this colourful pitch so far, Rematch has the depth to make it to the big leagues.Rematch is released on PC, PS5 andXboxin summer 2025
Rematch packs five-a-side football with sweaty thrills
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Sloclap Introduces 'Rematch': A New Take on Five-a-Side Football Gaming"
The Guardian
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
In the early 2000s, sports video games were characterized by their offbeat and entertaining nature, with titles like NBA Street and Mario Strikers redefining traditional competitions into whimsical and engaging experiences. However, as the gaming industry shifted towards live service models, many sports simulations began to focus more on monetization strategies rather than delivering exhilarating gameplay. Enter Rematch, a new five-a-side football game developed by Sloclap, which aims to revive the excitement of competitive sports gaming by offering a player-centric experience rather than the conventional team-based approach seen in franchises like FIFA. In Rematch, players control a single character, allowing for a fast-paced and dynamic style of play that emphasizes individual skill, agility, and reflexes. The game features intuitive controls reminiscent of action games, enabling players to execute precise passes, powerful shots, and dramatic defensive maneuvers, all while maintaining a fun and engaging atmosphere that fosters excitement and competitiveness among players.
Set in a vibrant, optimistic future in 2065, Rematch boasts an art style that combines elements of anime and impressionism, creating a visually stunning environment where matches unfold in beautifully rendered stadiums. The game eliminates traditional football restrictions like offsides and fouls, allowing for uninterrupted gameplay, which is further enhanced by an online-only format that encourages teamwork and communication among players. With customization options that promote inclusivity, such as customizable avatars and kits, Rematch aims to appeal to a broad audience, including those who might not typically be fans of football games. As the game approaches its open beta, the developers at Sloclap are focused on refining the gameplay experience to ensure it meets the high expectations of discerning gamers. With its unique blend of skill-driven action, vibrant visuals, and a commitment to fun, Rematch seeks to carve out its own identity in the crowded landscape of sports video games, promising an engaging experience for both football enthusiasts and casual players alike.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article explores the resurgence of offbeat sports video games, particularly highlighting the new title "Rematch." By comparing it to traditional football simulations like FIFA, it positions Rematch as a fresh alternative that emphasizes individual skill and fast-paced action over team-based strategy. The narrative aims to rekindle nostalgia for a time when sports games were less about realism and more about fun and creativity.
Purpose Behind the Publication
The intent appears to be to promote Rematch as a unique offering in the gaming market, appealing to both nostalgic players and those looking for a new, dynamic gaming experience. Developers are likely aiming to differentiate their product by emphasizing its engaging gameplay mechanics and the excitement of individual player control.
Community Perception
The article seeks to foster a positive perception of Rematch within the gaming community. By focusing on the excitement and unique gameplay, it aims to attract fans of both traditional sports games and action-oriented titles. The emphasis on player control and agility promotes a sense of empowerment, which could resonate with gamers seeking more engaging experiences.
Potential Concealments
While the article focuses on the game's merits, it may downplay potential drawbacks or challenges, such as the learning curve associated with mastering the controls or the depth of content compared to established franchises. This selective emphasis could lead to an overly optimistic view of the game without addressing possible limitations.
Manipulative Elements
The manipulation factor in this article is moderate. While it does not overtly mislead, it frames Rematch in a very favorable light, which could lead readers to overlook competitive factors or the game's reception after release. The language used is enthusiastic, possibly encouraging readers to overlook a more balanced evaluation of the game.
Truthfulness of the Content
Overall, the content appears to be truthful in its portrayal of Rematch and its gameplay mechanics. However, the focus on excitement and nostalgia may skew the perception slightly, as it emphasizes the positive aspects without acknowledging potential criticisms.
Societal Impacts
The excitement generated by the article could drive interest in Rematch, bolstering its sales and impacting the gaming market positively. Additionally, it could influence the direction of future sports game development, encouraging more innovative designs that prioritize fun over realism.
Target Audience
The article seems to cater to a diverse audience, including long-time gamers nostalgic for the early 2000s sports games, as well as younger players looking for new gaming experiences. The focus on action and individual skill could attract competitive players who enjoy fast-paced gameplay.
Market Influence
In the broader market, this article could positively impact shares of the company behind Rematch, as it creates buzz around the game. It may also influence the stocks of competing gaming companies that need to respond to this emerging trend in sports gaming.
Geopolitical Context
While the article primarily focuses on gaming, it exists within a larger cultural context where innovation in entertainment reflects societal trends. The emphasis on individual achievement in gaming can be paralleled with current discussions about personal empowerment in various sectors.
AI Usage in Writing
There’s a possibility that AI was utilized in drafting or editing the article, particularly in creating engaging content that reflects current trends in gaming. AI models focused on natural language processing might have influenced the tone and style, ensuring it resonates with the target audience. The language and structure suggest an intention to engage readers emotionally, potentially steering their perception towards a more favorable view of Rematch. The excitement and upbeat tone could be indicative of AI's role in making the article more appealing. The article does not seem to contain manipulative tactics in a malicious sense but rather uses enthusiastic language to promote a new product. This approach is common in marketing and is designed to generate interest and excitement among potential consumers. Overall, the article presents a trustworthy overview of Rematch, focusing on its potential to reinvigorate the sports gaming genre while maintaining a lively and engaging narrative.