I enjoy Rematch’s quick and entertaining take on FIFA (even if my teammates aren't fond of me).

      If you had asked me to speculate on what developer Sloclap would create following Sifu, I would never have guessed “arcade-style soccer game” would be on the list. Yet, that’s precisely what they are offering with Rematch.

      Instead of developing another challenging brawler, Rematch is a straightforward multiplayer sports game. Two teams of four or five players compete in an arena for six minutes to see who can score the most goals. There are no gimmicks involved. The characters aren’t quirky mascots with superpowers. It’s just good, clean football — provided you remember to mute the voice chat right away.

      Ahead of its release on June 19, I tried out Rematch and quickly appreciated its laid-back approach to the sport. Having found EA Sports FC’s full simulation overwhelming in the past, Rematch strikes a pleasant balance between that and Rocket League. Even if my teammates were frustrated with me for my playful antics, the important thing was that I enjoyed myself while playing a sport I usually have little interest in digitally.

      Join the club

      Rematch is structured like many multiplayer live service games. Upon logging in, I find a lobby where I can join casual matches, enter a ranked playlist, or create a custom room. There are tabs at the top of the screen for character customization and a shop that combines premium and in-game currency. The design is straightforward and appears to be intentional. I would describe the entire experience as “elegant,” as it distills everything down to its core elements. There’s no excess here, allowing me to concentrate on the fundamentals of gameplay.

      These fundamentals are easily accessible in the tutorial. To pick up the ball, I only need to move towards it. I can sprint for increased speed, which drains my stamina, and double-tapping the sprint button gives me a quick speed boost. Shooting and passing the ball is accomplished by holding down the right trigger, and sliding is as simple as pressing a button while sprinting. There are some intricacies, but casual players don’t need to master them all to start playing. I can quickly punt the ball forward while holding it, getting it out of the way if an opponent tries to steal it. Simple evasive maneuvers are also possible if I get too close to an adversary. Once again, none of this resembles moves from Mario Strikers; it remains grounded.

      Initially, I worry that the gameplay might feel a bit too basic to sustain interest. It almost resembles the soccer mode from Nintendo Switch Sports but with some added nuances and no troublesome motion controls. However, those concerns fade the moment I join an actual five-on-five match. I quickly get into the rhythm of the game, managing my sprint wisely and carefully setting up my shots. I must quickly correct some bad habits, as I begin by overusing the slide, resulting in many missed chances. I also struggle with the precision of passing at first since I don’t automatically kick the ball to my teammates. I need to aim and be aware of my friends’ positions, especially when they call for the ball.

      My teammates aren’t very forgiving. In just one round, someone is already yelling at me for neglecting to block a goal. A lot of the criticism I face comes while I’m trying to learn that specific position. Rematch adopts Rocket League’s approach to goalkeeping, meaning that no one is permanently assigned to the goal. Instead, players can enter or leave the goal area at any time. My teammates constantly express their dissatisfaction when I drift too far to the side to chase a loose ball, leaving the net exposed. They’re also frustrated when I attempt to pass from the goal but struggle to control the placement at first. Rematch's key challenge is that it is, after all, a soccer game, which tends to attract a competitive crowd.

      I hope those rowdy players will settle down once Rematch attracts a more casual audience, and there are solid reasons to believe it will. The closest thing to a “gimmick” in the game is the walls surrounding the entire field, which allows for innovative plays that enhance the arcade feel. After a few matches, I realize I can kick the ball over the goal to lure the goalie into diving, only to have it bounce back for me to score again. This tactic can also confuse defenders, as passing off a wall can disrupt their positioning. I experienced many exciting trick shots during my playthrough, such as when I kicked the ball near the goal, deflecting it off the wall into a pass for my teammate to score.

      Every match I’ve played has been uniquely enjoyable so far, which is what I find gratifying about Rematch during my initial experience. Some matches had my team being outplayed by coordinated opponents utilizing a fundamental play style, while others turned into dynamic shootouts filled with trick shots. One of my favorite matches ended with hardly any points scored, as my team was evenly matched against the opposition. There’s