Rematchprobably isn’t what a lot of gamers were expecting to come from Sloclap next. After the action-packed martial arts hitSifu, many may have assumed Sloclap would stick with the fighting genre for a while. The developer subverted expectations, though, with the announcement ofRematchlast year.
This fast-paced soccer title puts the action of the sport front and center, as players compete in 5v5 matches.Rematchmay not be likeSifu, but if Sloclap has proven anything, it’s that the developer is talented at making engaging and competitive gameplay the star of the show. This has the potential to translate incredibly well into the sports genre, and if Sloclap continues down this path, taking a swing at tennis could be the best sport to choose next.
Rematch Could Set the Stage for a Unique Tennis Game
The Sports Genre is Large, But the Tennis Offerings Are Small
FromMaddentoWWE 2K, sports have continued to be part of the gaming industry. However, tennis hasn’t exactly been the star of the show in this category. Franchises likeEA Sports FC,NBA 2K, andForzahave continued to reign supreme. Granted, tennis still has offerings likethe TopSpin franchise and the Mario Tennis seriesunder its belt, but the sport may benefit best from finding its own unique niche within the genre.
When it comes to soccer,Rematchhas the likes ofEA Sports FCto compete with. This sports gaming juggernaut will be hard to go up against, but the fast-paced nature of Sloclap’s approach may prove to be a standout title. IfRematchproves successful, then it wouldn’t be surprising for Sloclap to want to experiment with other sports, too. What makes tennis the best option is that not only does the sport have fewer games to choose from, but it is also in need of something that sets it apart from the other sports-branded games. Often in the sports genre, there is a heavy focus on realism. Games likeMario TennisandRocket Leagueare clearly exceptions, butTopSpinleans heavily into realism. ARematch-inspired tennis game would be far more stylized, while still retaining the most important aspects of the sport. This could attract bothTopSpinfans andMario Tennislovers.
If Sloclap has proven anything, it’s that the developer is talented at making engaging and competitive gameplay the star of the show.
Tennis games would likely benefit from an action-packed middle ground. Hardcore tennis fans could get the snappy, satisfying gameplay that they crave, and casual fans who are more partial toMario Tenniscould still get the stylized, fast-paced matches they prefer.Rematchis shaking up the soccer genrein a much-needed way, and tennis would be a fun avenue to explore next.
Sifuwas nominated for three Game Awards in 2022: Best Independent Game, Best Action Game, and Best Fighting Game. IfRematchis well-received, it has the potential to get a Best Sports/Racing nomination this year.
Everything Known About Rematch, So Far
It’s clear that Sloclap is focused onmaking action the star ofRematch. No downtime during matches is an exciting promise, and bringing this approach to a tennis game, or any sports video game, could be a breath of fresh air.
Only time will tell ifRematchhas what it takes to kickstart a great sports franchise, but right now, the potential is exciting. The wait forRematchisn’t much longer, and when the game arrives, it will be intriguing to see howSloclap’s approach to sports gameplayresonates with fans.
