Rematch Isn’t Even Out Yet—But Sloclap’s Acrobatic Soccer Sim Is Already a Surprise Hit

Rematch wasn’t even on my radar a month ago. Sure, I knew Sloclap could deliver stylish action thanks to Sifu, but a five-a-side soccer sim? Didn’t expect that to be the next breakout hit. Yet here we are-almost two million players hopped into the open beta, and for four days, Rematch was one of Steam’s most-played games. That’s not just impressive-it’s a wake-up call for anyone who thought the EA FC (FIFA) monopoly was unbreakable. This is the most excited I’ve been for a competitive sports game in years, and I’m not alone.

Rematch: Sloclap’s Co-Op Soccer Sim Shakes Up the Genre Before Launch

Key Takeaways

• Rematch’s open beta pulled in nearly 1.9 million players across Steam and consoles-a shockingly big number for a new sports IP.
• Gameplay focuses on co-op passing, acrobatic movement, and fluid matches—no offsides or fouls to slow things down.
• Sloclap’s martial arts pedigree (Sifu) is apparent in the game’s slick, responsive feel and emphasis on skillful play.
• Launches June 19 for $29.99/£20.99. The big question: can Rematch keep its momentum post-beta and carve out a real niche?

Let’s be honest: for years, the soccer game scene has been stuck in a rut. EA FC (FIFA) dominates thanks to licenses and microtransactions. UFL and Goals are hyped as “the next big thing,” but they’re chasing the same 11-a-side realism. Rematch is different—and that’s what caught my eye. It’s not about building a fantasy team of footballing royalty; it’s about chaotic, stylish five-on-five play where you control one player and actually cooperate. No grinding, no cards, no “pay to win” shenanigans—just pure, energetic soccer with a side of parkour.

That design shift isn’t just cosmetic. The third-person perspective feels like a fresh slap in the face to the old side-on camera standard. You see the pitch ahead, you feel the urgency of chasing down a pass or lining up a backflip shot. And, crucially, Rematch ditches offside rules and most fouls, so play rarely stops. Instead, you’ve got relentless momentum—much closer to how I imagine a pick-up game feels, but with even more flair. It’s clear that Sloclap brought over their knack for tight, responsive movement from Sifu. You don’t have to love martial arts games to appreciate how buttery the controls feel here; it instantly separates Rematch from the clunkier, more scripted action of traditional football sims.

What genuinely shocked me is just how many players jumped in for the beta. Nearly 1.9 million people tried it, and over 6.7 million matches were played. For context, that’s a level of engagement most new sports IPs can only dream about. And let’s not overlook the fact that Steam—usually a tough market for sports games, which tend to thrive more on consoles—was one of Rematch’s biggest strongholds during the test. It spent four days as a top-five most-played game on Valve’s platform. That’s not just strong; it’s a signal of real appetite for something new in the genre.

So what’s next? Well, Sloclap now faces the classic challenge: can they convert beta buzz into a durable community? The $29.99/£20.99 price is a reasonable ask, but it’s not free-to-play—so Rematch will need to keep that critical mass of players engaged after the initial curiosity fades. The studio’s track record with Sifu earns them some trust, but live service sports games are a different beast. If Rematch can deliver on post-launch updates, player-driven features, and maybe even some esports support, it could become a true contender. But if matchmaking times or server issues creep in, or if the gameplay loop starts to feel repetitive, that momentum could evaporate fast. Gamers are paying attention—and so am I.

What This Means for Gamers

Rematch is shaping up to be the soccer game for people who are sick of the same old grind. If you’ve bounced off the annualized EA formula or wanted a sports game that puts teamwork and quick reactions over luck and wallet size, this could be your new obsession. The open beta showed that a huge audience is hungry for something different—even if that means tossing out sacred cows like offside rules and player licenses. It won’t be for purists, but it might just scratch the itch for fresh, fast-paced multiplayer action. Personally, I’m rooting for it to succeed, because the genre desperately needs this kind of shakeup.

TL;DR

Rematch’s open beta was a genuine phenomenon, proving that there’s more to soccer games than EA’s yearly updates. Sloclap’s focus on acrobatic, cooperative five-a-side action is already drawing a crowd. The big question is whether the hype survives past launch—if it does, we might just be looking at the first real soccer sim challenger in years.

Source: Sloclap via GamesPress