If it feels like the football gaming world is more crowded than ever, you’re not imagining things. Between Ronaldo-backed UFL, the ever-dominant EA Sports FC, and the legacy of PES, the pitch is packed with heavyweights, each vying for the top spot and the attention of millions of players worldwide. Into this high-stakes arena steps Rematch, the latest title from Sloclap, the studio best known for Absolver and Sifu, hoping to bring something genuinely new to the genre.

A Genre Ripe for Disruption?

For years, EA Sports’ FIFA (now EA Sports FC) has been the undisputed king of football games, with annual releases, massive Ultimate Team promotions, and a loyal player base that votes on everything from Team of the Season lineups to in-game events. PES, now eFootball, has long been the scrappy underdog, while UFL has recently entered the fray, promising a “fair-to-play” model and the star power of Cristiano Ronaldo to lure fans away from the established giants.

But with so much focus on realism, microtransactions, and incremental updates, there’s a growing sense that the genre is overdue for a shakeup. Many players are craving something fresh. An experience that captures the spirit and joy of football, rather than just simulating its mechanics or monetizing its fandom.

Is Rematch Something New?

We are two months from launch and our trackers show 368 posts across social media with over 40% being posted on Twitch. Gamers are intrigued by this new football experience. Rematch doesn't seem to have any interest in trying to out-FIFA FIFA. Instead, it seeks to reinvent the experience entirely. Rather than controlling an entire team, you play as a single athlete in fast-paced 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5 matches, emphasizing action, teamwork, and the thrill of individual skill. The game’s design philosophy is clear, “We want you to feel like an amazing athlete,” says creative director Pierre Tarno. The result is a hybrid that feels as much like Rocket League or Overwatch as it does a traditional football sim.

The interesting part of about Rematch, in comparison to its counterparts, is the focus on positive competition and teamplay, not the profit-driven spectacle that football can sometimes become. It’s a refreshing, optimistic vision and a far cry from the gritty realism of its rivals.

Can Rematch Break Through?

Early hands-on previews suggest it just might. Critics praise its “action and teamplay,” the sense of bodily control, and the sheer fun of chasing down the ball and working together for a goal. Of course, breaking into a market dominated by EA and established free-to-play upstarts like UFL won’t be easy. Rematch could carve out a new space for itself especially among players hungry for something different.

Football games are at a crossroads. The old guard continues to dominate, but the appetite for innovation is growing. Rematch seems to be a bold attempt to redefine what a football game can be. Whether it can score big remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear, the football gaming scene has never been more exciting, or more open to disruption.

Look out for our review breakdown of Rematch in June!