I spent 75 hours unlocking every trophy in Elden Ring Nightreign, only for Rematch to steal its thunder with a single hat trick

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To excel in confronting opponents, it’s crucial to refine skills such as speed, endurance, focus, and perseverance. Sloclap, the developer behind Sifu, understood this principle when they released their martial arts game in 2022, which gained immense popularity. However, these qualities aren’t exclusive to physical conflict; they are also evident in Rematch, Sloclap’s latest production, which provided me with my most exhilarating and fulfilling gaming experience of 2025.

After extensively playing Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware’s recent blockbuster, I discovered what seemed to be the most rewarding gaming cycle of the year. Jump into a game with strangers, collaborate using minimal in-game instructions, and accomplish the mission for an adrenaline rush that I just can’t get enough of – within mere weeks post-release, I had collected all trophies on PS5. However, upon revisiting Rematch, I found myself captivated to a degree that surpassed anything else, spending another two hours engrossed in it.

A game of two halves

In Rematch, you assume the role of a footballer, either on teams of three, four, or five players, all managed by real people. You’ll face an opposing team structured similarly. With a third-person camera perspective that requires your control, you must swiftly assess whether to watch for a potential attacking player or fixate on the goal, based on the game situation.

Using an Xbox controller on your PC, pressing ‘A’ moves the ball forward allowing you to run faster. The ‘RT’ button serves as your shoot function. By holding ‘LT’, you assume a defensive stance with your back to your goal. This makes it simpler to block opposition’s forward passes. When in the net, pressing ‘Y’ along with a direction on the left joystick lets you dive for a save (or leap if no direction is held). Additionally, clicking the right stick calls for the ball. As an experienced player of EA Sports FC, this setup may be fresh, but it quickly becomes instinctive.

Players who have played EA Sports FC 25’s Clubs mode (previously known as FIFA’s Pro Clubs) will find that they are quite accustomed to managing a single player within a team. However, the game Action Rematch offers a distinctly different experience. The control system, movement, and overall aesthetic all give the impression that you’re not in the Premier League anymore, which is a welcome change from the familiar mechanics following years of playing the same game (at least in my personal opinion).

Beautiful game

Over the past decade, just as Manchester City’s possession-heavy gameplay has dominated English football and sometimes left fans yearning for more excitement, so too has EA’s annual sports titles held the upper hand, often leaving gamers craving something fresh and different. PES tried to challenge this dominance by rebranding itself as eFootball, but for many of us, it still doesn’t quite scratch that unique itch we’ve been longing for, maintaining a similar vibe despite its claimed innovations.

Now, Rematch is in town, a vibrant Liverpool-like presence, introducing a thrilling, dynamic playstyle to a genre yearning for transformation. Instead of assuming the role of global giants, you’ll step into the shoes of a less prominent team member. I’m not referring to Tottenham Hotspur here, but rather a customizable player on a 5-a-side team.

In this new approach, in-field play is integral. Rematch eliminates fouls, allowing for aggressive tackling without the concern of even a minor warning from the referees. Goalkeepers serve as both defenders and offensive players, swiftly moving out of the box to switch positions instantaneously, providing tactical benefits on both ends. Plus, there’s no magical adhesion of the ball to your foot upon receiving a pass, forcing you to make decisions about touch control, which adds an unprecedented level of engagement that FIFA games have never achieved before.

In the spirit of Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp’s words, “Every move with the ball requires a plan,” Rematch encourages this philosophy wholeheartedly by providing flexible shooting and passing options based on your skills. However, like in Nightreign, it’s crucial not to let your guard down. Stay alert, focus on your goal, and never stop pushing forward until the game ends. Whether you’re a goalkeeper making saves and sending the ball upfield to your teammates, or a striker charging down the wing with the net in sight, always keep your attention fixed on the task at hand.

When effort is rewarded and a space emerges in the rival team’s defense, the excitement of scoring a goal is just as genuine in Rematch as it is while playing with friends at the park. This sensation reached its peak when I concluded my initial MVP performance with a hat trick, finishing off a rebound using a reflex that was only given the chance to shine due to positioning and the decision to let my marker go. The ecstasy surpassed defeating any Nightlord, and it became evident why Sloclap chose the name Rematch; regardless of how many times I play, I always desire another round.

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2025-06-27 15:10