Sloclap Says Their Football Game Is Secretly a Samurai Game (And Sifu Isn't *Just* Kung-Fu)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Sloclap, the studio behind *Rematch* and *Sifu*, thinks their football game shares more with samurai duels than *FIFA*, which is a wild take, but also kinda makes sense when you think about the split-second decision-making involved. Also *Sifu* is more than just a beat-em-up.
Alright, buckle up, because Sloclap, the folks behind the surprisingly addictive kickabout title *Rematch* (and before that, the face-punching masterpiece *Sifu*) just dropped a bit of a brain-bender. According to them, *Rematch* isn't *just* a football game. Nope. It's apparently got a samurai spirit lurking beneath the surface. And *Sifu*? Not *just* a kung-fu game either. What in the name of Miyamoto Musashi is going on? (Source: Game Rant)
*Rematch*, for those who've been living under a rock (or, you know, actually playing *real* football), is a third-person, arcade-style take on the beautiful game. Think *FIFA* meets *Rocket League*, but with more frantic energy and zero patience for pesky things like rules. It exploded onto the scene, racking up over a million players on day one, pulling in the kind of crowd that thrives on competition more than, say, meticulously recreating Premier League tactics.
But here's where it gets interesting. Sloclap, in a recent developer update, drew parallels between *Rematch* and the way of the warrior. They reckon the "interactions between players are swift, decisive, and can turn the tide of events in an instant." Sound familiar? Anyone who's ever gone toe-to-toe in a tense fighting game will probably get the drift. It's less about carefully planned strategies and more about lightning-fast reflexes and capitalizing on momentary openings. Like a digital duel with a ball instead of a katana.
Now, the *Sifu* comparison is a bit more… abstract. They didn't exactly elaborate, leaving us to chew on that particular nugget of gaming philosophy. My guess? It's about the underlying mechanics. Both games demand precision, timing, and a deep understanding of momentum. Sure, one's about beating seven shades of stuffing out of goons, and the other's about scoring goals, but at their core, they might share a surprising amount of DNA.
Sloclap acknowledges that *Rematch* isn't quite perfect yet. They're committed to polishing the gameplay, addressing community feedback (crossplay, player reporting, and keyboard/mouse improvements are on the way), and generally making sure the whole experience feels as fair and fun as humanly (or algorithmically) possible.
So, what does this all mean? Is *Rematch* the *Sekiro* of sports games? Probably not. But Sloclap's comments highlight something important: games are rarely just what they appear to be on the surface. They're complex systems of interactions, strategies, and player expression. And sometimes, a football game can borrow a thing or two from the samurai code. Fair dinkum.
Tags: Rematch, Sloclap, Sifu, Indie Games, Game Design
Original article: Game Rant