Rematch is a brilliantly designed, deep, and satisfying multiplayer game at its core, but its launch is plagued by game-breaking server issues, crashes, and a questionable monetization model that make it impossible to recommend in its current state.
Rematch presents a unique and ambitious deep multiplayer experience, blending the strategic teamwork of football with the intricate mechanics of a fighting game. Developed by Slowclap, the studio behind Sifu, the game moves beyond simple sports simulation. Instead of a top-down view, it places players directly on the field from a third-person perspective, fostering a more personal and immersive sense of play. While superficially comparable to titles like Rocket League, its core identity is distinct, focusing on ground-based character control and complex mechanical interactions.
The gameplay demands both precision and strategy. On a micro level, individual encounters unfold like a fighting game, built around a rock-paper-scissors system of light, medium, and heavy moves that must be used to read and outplay opponents. On a macro level, success requires team coordination, intelligent positioning, and precise passing to create scoring opportunities. This layered design creates a high skill ceiling that is immensely rewarding to master, catering to both casual players seeking dynamic fun and competitive players looking for depth.
However, the game's brilliant design is critically undermined by significant technical problems at launch. Pervasive server latency, frequent crashes, and player disconnects disrupt the split-second timing the gameplay requires, rendering many matches frustrating and unplayable. The monetization model—which pairs an upfront cost with season passes and cosmetic microtransactions, a structure seen in games like Helldivers 2 and Halo Infinite—also raises concerns about value and player progression. These issues, combined with a lack of crossplay, currently overshadow the game's immense potential.
