If you’ve ever watched a game of Rocket League and thought, “This is incredible, but I wish it was me hitting that bicycle kick instead of a car,” then the gaming gods have finally answered your prayers. The breakout hit of 2025 isn't another hyper-realistic sports sim or a massive open-world RPG; it's Rematch, a lightning-fast, third-person soccer game that has earned the perfect nickname: Rocket League without cars.
Launched quietly on June 19, 2025, by indie studio Slowclap (the acclaimed team behind Sifu and Absolver) and published by Kepler Interactive, Rematch has defied expectations. While the studio was respected, few predicted the game would carve out such a dedicated niche. Yet, months after its release, it consistently draws around 10,000 daily players, proving that sometimes, the simplest ideas executed brilliantly are the most compelling.
What Exactly Is Rematch?
Forget everything you know about the methodical build-up play of EA Sports FC 26. Rematch is 5v5 soccer stripped down to its most exhilarating core and then supercharged. The key differentiator is the perspective: you’re directly behind your character in a tight third-person view. This single change transforms the entire experience, making it feel more like a precision action game than a traditional sports title.
The game borrows smartly from hero shooters and arena battlers. At the start of each match, you pick a role—Attacker, Defender, or Goalkeeper—each with subtle stat variations that encourage teamwork. But the real magic lies in the rules, or lack thereof. The ball never goes out of play. There are no offside calls, no fouls, and no interruptions. It’s a constant, high-octane flow of action that demands razor-sharp reflexes, intelligent positioning, and pure skill.
Skill, Not Automation, Wins the Game
Unlike traditional soccer games where shooting is often a context-sensitive button press, Rematch features an active shooting system. Shots aren’t automated; you need to time your kick carefully and aim precisely. Ball control is direct and immediate, requiring quick reactions to dribble past opponents or intercept a pass. It’s this high skill ceiling that keeps players coming back.
Long-term motivation comes from leaderboards and a steady stream of cosmetic unlocks for your character. It’s worth noting that Rematch does not have a level or skill-based progression system that alters gameplay, ensuring a level playing field where victory is determined solely by your ability on the pitch.
A Free Chance to See What the Fuss Is About
It hasn’t been a completely smooth ride for Rematch. The game holds a mixed reception on review aggregators, with a Metascore of 75 and a user score of 6.3. On Steam, its roughly 35,000 reviews have resulted in a “Mostly Positive” 70% rating. Criticisms often point to occasional technical hiccups and matchmaking that can sometimes feel unbalanced, frustrating parts of the community.
If those reviews have made you hesitant, now is the absolute perfect time to see for yourself. For the first time ever, Rematch is completely free to play on Steam during a free weekend from September 26 to 29.
And if you fall in love with its chaotic charm, the game is also on sale. You can pick it up for 20% off, bringing the price down from $25 to around $20. This is an ideal opportunity to grab it permanently after the free trial ends.
Click here to visit the official Steam store page and add it to your library during the free event:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2138720/REMATCH/
The Perfect Handheld Companion?
For gamers who prefer to play on the go, Rematch shines. According to Steam's verification program, it is officially rated “Playable” on the Steam Deck. Its quick, five-minute matches are perfectly suited for short bursts of gameplay, making it an excellent title to install on your handheld device. If you’ve been looking for a reason to dive into handheld PC gaming, this might be it.
Speaking of which, if you need to get your hands on a Steam Deck to take Rematch anywhere, you can find the current model at a great price.
Check the latest price for the Steam Deck on Amazon here
Don’t miss out on what has become one of 2025’s most pleasant surprises. Whether you’re a lapsed Rocket League fan looking for a fresh take or a sports game enthusiast craving something more immediate, Rematch is poised to steal your weekend—and maybe your entire autumn.
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