Review: REMATCH

Developer – Sloclap

Publisher – Sloclap, Kepler Interactive

Platforms –   Xbox Series S|X, PS5,PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Developer

Rematch isn’t shy about adopting Rocket League’s crown, it swaps rocket-powered cars for, well… feet. Instead of supersonic vehicles, you’re kicking leather balls in third-person, bouncing off transparent walls like a grounded demolition derby. The enclosed arenas and rebound-focused play scream Rocket League vibes, just with human players. A grounded Rocket League, if you will.

The third-person camera here gets the job done, but sometimes feels like it’s doing too much overtime. You track your avatar like you’re playing a behind-the-shoulder shooter, and shooting or passing means physically aiming your view like an FPS. When it works, it’s incredibly rewarding ! Each strike of the ball lands with impact and energy. But miss by a hair and you’ll feel like you just sent your shot into orbit. That level of precision makes the learning curve steep, but also satisfying for anyone who loves skill-based control.

There’s a full lineup of competitive modes: 3v3 and 4v4 for the casual warmups, but the real action is in the ranked 5v5 matches. Games are either six-minute sprints or first-to-four-goal thrillers, with sudden death if you’re tied up at the end. It’s frantic, loud, and exhilarating in all the best ways. The action flows fast, the arenas echo with energy, and every match has the intensity of a final cup shootout. But things get a little less exciting when the season pass mechanics rear their head.

Rematch includes a “Captain Pass” with a handful of free tiers, but most of the cosmetics and unlockables are locked behind a premium purchase. For a full-priced game, the monetization feels more like a striker diving in the box than an honest play. There’s also an in-game store for cosmetics and boosts, which just adds to the sense that the match is being called by a ref on the devs’ payroll.

And just when you think you’ll pass it to a buddy on a different system …bam! you’re offsides. There’s no crossplay at launch. PC players are boxed in with other PC players, Xbox squads can’t team up with PlayStation pals, and vice versa. It’s a frustrating limitation for a game built so heavily on teamwork and momentum. That said, the devs have already promised crossplay is top priority. It’s currently in the final phases of console certification, so a big patch could drop any moment and finally unify the pitch.

Despite that, there’s genuine care in how inclusive Rematch tries to be. Accessibility options include full button remapping, adjustable camera sensitivity (which, trust me, helps), and even avatar customization that allows for visible prosthetics, skin tone variety, and features like vitiligo. It’s a thoughtful approach that goes beyond surface-level checkboxes. Some other frustrations are in-game chat is absent, rematch options after games are clunky, and the UI still feels like it skipped playtesting.

Rematch might look like Rocket League’s more grounded cousin, but when you dig into it, the game kicks with its own flavor. The gameplay is meaty, the competitive edge is razor-sharp, and once you start landing goals with intent, it’s hard to walk away. It’s a little rough around the edges, sure. Server hiccups, input bugs,and occasional ball teleportation. But the devs are actively working on it, and post-launch support already looks promising.

So, what you’ve got here is a promising underdog. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel,it’s just trying to boot it with flair. Rematch is a soccer sim with arcade soul, a competitive beast dressed in cleats, and an early access title that could very well score big, if it keeps its foot on the gas and listens to its fans. For now, it’s not quite the beautiful game, but it’s definitely a beautiful start.