Developer Sloclap has addressed some comparisons between its current football hitRematchand its previous kung-fu gameSifu—saying the former is not a football game and the latter is not a kung-fu game. While at first sightRematchmay seem like a clear portrayal of a football match, the title completely sets itself apart from the traditional approach to the sport that other massively popular games likeFIFAorPEShave taken—and Sloclap has an interesting take on this.
Unlike manyother soccer video games out there,Rematchtakes players into an arcade-style match, where they face off against other players, each controlling a single character in third-person while rotating through roles. One key aspect that makesRematchso different from the rest is its fast-paced gameplay, where there are no fouls, offsides, or stoppages, so the ball never really leaves play. Despite some technical setbacks at launch, the game turned into a smash hit quite fast, reaching over a million players on day one, with its audience being mostly competitive gamers rather than traditional football fans. Upon release, comparisons with Sloclap’s previous indie hitSifubegan, as the game—although from a totally different genre—seems to bear some resemblance to the kung-fu game—and the developer has something to say about it.
In a newdeveloper update,Sloclap talked aboutRematchandSifu, addressing their similarities and curiosities, stating that the former “is not just a football game.” In fact, the developer went a step further and assured that “in a way it’s a samurai game.” Surprisingly enough, Sloclap also thinks that “Sifuwas not just a kung-fu game.” The developer didn’t flesh out its answer much, though it justified its comparison betweenRematchand a samurai game, pointing out how “interactions between players are swift, decisive, and can turn the tide of events in an instant.”
Sloclap Compares Rematch to a Samurai Game
Even though Sloclap is satisfied withRematch’s tremendous current success, the developer has acknowledged that it’s not the desired end state. “For the game to feel fair, and be fun, our execution must be flawless,” Sloclap wrote, while reaffirming its commitment to keep polishing the game and bring it “to its full potential.”
Sloclap has previously revealedRematch’s roadmap, promising to bring crossplay, player reporting, new ranked queues, mouse and keyboard improvements, and adjustments to the ranking and progression system based on community feedback. While the game continues thriving,Rematch’s comparison with a samurai game sheds some light on its deep mechanics and gameplay potential.
