When you hear “Sloclap,” your brain probably jumps to stylish martial arts duels and cinematic slow-mo takedowns. This is the studio that brought us Sifu and Absolver, after all. But in a genre twist that feels like Messi suddenly taking up Muay Thai, Sloclap has entered the pitch with Rematch — a 5v5 third-person POV football game that defies nearly every convention of the genre.
Launching on June 19, 2025, Rematch is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing sports titles of the year. It’s not just “football with a twist” — it’s a full-blown reinvention of the sport. Think Rocket League meets Overwatch, with a dash of FIFA Street, all presented through an immersive POV lens. And if Reddit reactions are anything to go by, Sloclap might just have pulled off something special.
Gameplay: Less Messi, More Melee
At the core of Rematch is the idea that football should feel personal. You don’t manage a team, you are the player. The third-person POV immerses you directly into the game, giving you the sensation of being smack in the middle of an electric five-a-side showdown.
There are no fouls. No offsides. No tedious cutscenes. Instead, the game keeps flowing with a relentless tempo. You sprint, you dribble, you slam into opponents with shoulder charges. It feels less like a simulation and more like an arcade brawler where the ball just happens to be the central objective.
Passing and shooting require precision, not just button mashing. You aim, you time, and you pray your teammate reads your mind before launching into a bicycle kick. Tackles are physical, stamina management is real, and you constantly have to choose between charging in or hanging back for a strategic intercept. It’s streetball intensity married to esports-level skill expression.
One standout mechanic is how player roles shift dynamically. There are no locked positions. One moment you’re a striker going for glory, the next you’re sliding into a desperate block as the last man back. This fluidity adds chaos, but also excitement, making every match feel alive.
Graphics and Sound: Futuristic Flair
Visually, Rematch is a neon-soaked fever dream. The arenas are enclosed, high-tech colosseums echoing with crowd chants and thunderous bass. Each stadium pulses with color, and every slide tackle kicks up stylized turf particles. It’s not trying to be hyper-realistic like FIFA or eFootball. Instead, it leans into a stylized aesthetic that enhances readability and flair.
Character models are lean, athletic, and dripping with personality. Customization is a big focus, too — from cleats to haircuts to taunts. And with each player visible in third-person, this cosmetic expressiveness actually adds to the game’s identity.
Audio-wise, it’s all fast beats and reactive sound cues. The thud of a shoulder check, the swoosh of a well-timed pass, the explosive “clang” of a crossbar hit — it’s a symphony of football chaos. The soundtrack is dynamic and changes pace depending on match tempo, making comebacks feel cinematic.
Performance and Platforms
Rematch will drop on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. In its recent closed beta tests, performance was rock solid. Quick matchmaking, stable netcode, and smooth animations all point to a well-optimized engine. For a game so dependent on twitch reactions and spatial awareness, responsiveness is key — and Sloclap knows it.
There’s crossplay support out the gate, and while the devs have teased an offline mode with AI bots, that won’t arrive until 2026. For now, Rematch is a strictly online experience. But with the devs actively responding to community feedback during beta tests, expectations are high for a smooth launch.
Content and Progression: More Than Just Skins
At launch, players will get access to 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 modes, plus a ranked ladder for sweaty showdowns. Seasonal content is planned, including limited-time modes, new arenas, and thematic events.
Progression comes via challenges and currency rewards, which can be used to unlock cosmetics. While it’s not a pay-to-win system, some of the challenge structures have raised eyebrows. Targeted tasks like “score a bicycle goal three times in one match” can warp match behavior, with players chasing objectives instead of team play.
Still, the core gameplay is so tight that most players are happy to grind. Plus, there’s something genuinely satisfying about earning a new pair of flaming boots after scoring a clutch game-winner.
The Reddit Buzz: Hype With a Side of Skepticism
The Rematch subreddit has been buzzing ever since the closed beta dropped. Most posts are dripping with hype, with users praising the game’s fresh take on football, its visceral feel, and the fact that it’s a skill-based sports game in a genre dominated by animation-heavy sims.
There’s a recurring theme among fans: Rematch just feels better to play than traditional football games. The controls are responsive, the action is readable, and even when you’re getting stomped, it’s fun. A rare combo.
That said, the subreddit isn’t all praise. Some users are concerned about the game’s monetization strategy. Rematch is launching as a premium title (no free-to-play option), but it also includes an in-game shop for cosmetics. For some, that’s a double whammy — pay upfront and still get microtransactions.
Others have pointed out that the game needs a more robust tutorial or training mode. With its unique mechanics and fast pace, newbies can feel lost. The hope is that post-launch updates will address this.
Final Verdict: Sloclap Scores a Screamer
Rematch isn’t just a new football game. It’s a new vision of what football could be when you rip up the rulebook and start fresh. Sloclap has taken the adrenaline and one-on-one tension of Sifu, injected it into a team-based ball game, and somehow made it all work.
The game isn’t perfect. Its monetization model needs balancing, and its challenge system might get annoying. But in terms of raw gameplay, visual flair, and community potential, Rematch is a certified banger.
If you’re tired of animation-locked passes and RNG deflections, or if you ever wished Rocket League had legs and fouls were just a myth, Rematch is your next obsession.
Score: 8.5/10
Get your boots on, learn those flicks, and prepare to rage when your teammate misses an open net because they were trying to do a 360 taunt.
