Last Updated on Jun 3, 2025 @ 19:38:24 PM.
Good quality football video games are in short supply these days, with the space undoubtedly being dominated by EA with its EA Sports FC (formerly known as FIFA), but it seems like as time goes on, that may be changing. With several free to play options available now with eFootball (formerly Pro Evolution Soccer) and the Cristiano Ronaldo backed UFL, but now, with the beta having just finished, we’re merely days away from Rematch.
An arcade variety, less sim, more fun game based on the famous sport, from the developers behind the cult classic Sifu, Rematch may have reinvigorated the love of the sport again, if the Beta stats are anything to go by.
Per Sloclap:
“Ahead of action footballer Rematch’s launch across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on June 19, developer Sloclap (Sifu, Absolver) hosted a final open beta across PC and consoles – and an astounding 1.9 million players joined in, absolutely smashing the last beta’s player count that fell just shy of 900,000 and getting players ready to hit pro status at launch in a few short weeks.
- 1.9 million players joined in across PC, PlayStation and Xbox, flying past the last beta’s player count of 880,000
- Rematch hit a concurrent player peak of 175,000 across platforms, staying in the top five most-played Steam games every day it was available
- The beta picked up 714 years of playtime, that’s longer than football has existed!”
During my time with the Rematch Beta, I found it not only easy to play (but difficult to master) but far more fun than any of the alternatives currently on the market. Every time you’re on the ball, there’s no question as to who is at fault if you lose it, and it never gets old scoring a 30-yard screamer, something quite difficult with the lack of hand holding present.
It’s honestly no surprise it’s taking the world by storm in the Beta alone, and when the full game releases, it’ll be interesting to see exactly what changes in the wider football game market. If nothing else, we have a Rocket League-esque football game that is just plain fun.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out the reveal of Dead Take, or Robocop: Rogue City’s initial reveal of its DLC. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews!
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Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
