The next game from Sifu and Absolver developer Sloclap won’t be an action game, but instead aims to give football a fresh perspective.
Rematch will be a 5v5 online multiplayer game where players take to the pitch in third-person for a unique sense of immersion and more visceral action akin to the studio’s previous games.
And while players will only control a single player, Sloclap aims to replicate the joy of playing together where it’s as satisfying to serve the perfect assist as it is to score a goal.
It may seem like a strange change in direction for the studio, but Sloclap promises Rematch will retain the studio’s propensity for challenging gameplay, precise controls, and 60fps performance, along with hand-crafted animations and stylised art direction.
Similar to Rocket League (but with actual people, of course), Rematch is set in a cage so the ball never leaves the pitch. There are no pauses, no fouls, and no off-sides.
Instead it has an arcade feel but with real football moves. In particular, the developer points to the timing-based volley mechanics, as well as the precision required for shooting (you can see plenty of tricks in the trailer above).
It’s about constantly pushing forwards, with the goalkeeper essentially becoming a mid-fielder when on the offence. Indeed, the goalie will have specific mechanics to reach and dive to ensure players still feel powerful in this position. In reverse, the goalie is described as like the boss at the end of a level.