Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • God of War Laufey
  • PlayStation State of Play
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • New Games 2026
  • Summer Game Fest
  • Best gaming tech
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Sports Games
  3. Rematch

Sifu wasn't just a kung-fu game, say its devs, and Rematch is actually a "samurai game" and not a football game

News
By Ali Jones published 27 July 2025

I think I've been playing it wrong

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Sifu
(Image credit: Sloclap)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
1
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

I may have been playing Rematch wrong for several weeks, because apparently it's "not just a football game," but a "samurai game," which suggests that it's a little deadlier than I first thought.

In a recent dev update ahead of Rematch patch 1, developer Sloclap explained that Sifu, its previous game (whose players it admits to somewhat leaving in the dark when it came to Rematch), was "not just a king-fu game." While Sloclap doesn't quite explain what it means there, I think I get it - Sifu sometimes felt to me like a rhythm game, and while there's a lot of rhythm inherent in any martial art, there was something more to it than a simple brawler.

Just like Sifu wasn't just what it said on the tin, however, Sloclap argues that Rematch isn't either. It's new game is "not just a football game," it argues, perhaps ignoring the fact that Rematch is the most authentic replication of 5-a-side football I can imagine. In fact, Rematch is "a samurai game," Sloclap argues, suggesting that "interactions between players are swift, decisive, and can turn the tide of events in an instant."

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

I know what they mean, but it does feel like the Rematch devs might have been writing this particular update just after watching the latest Ghost of Yotei trailer. While a single mistake or piece of skill can turn the tide of a game in Rematch, I've also seen players scrambling over the ball in a way that feels neither swift nor decisive. Granted, I've had some sloppy kills in Assassin's Creed Shadows too, but that's not really the samurai fantasy that Ubisoft or Sloclap were aiming with.

Regardless of how much an Edo-era aristocrat would have enjoyed Rematch, I'm certainly having fun with it. I guess I'd just be having an easier time if I were rocking a katana on the pitch. For now, I suppose I'll have to settle for a cutting pass or two.

You may like
  • Nioh 3 stone demon with red eyes "If we focus too much on casual players, that would take away the bite," says Nioh 3 dev
  • Arc Raiders "Defending yourself is no longer treated the same as starting a fight," Arc Raiders devs say of PvP
  • A screenshot shows a young woman holding out a blue pouch I can't love Dark Souls or Bloodborne, but Phantom Blade Zero is the action RPG I wanted them to be

Rematch director doesn't want to make "$50-100 million" games, "because that's what the big studios do" and all it does is limit the studio's creative freedom.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Ali Jones
Ali Jones
Social Links Navigation
Managing Editor, News

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for news, shaping the news strategy across the team. I started my journalistic career while getting my degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick, where I also worked as Games Editor on the student newspaper, The Boar. Since then, I've run the news sections at PCGamesN and Kotaku UK, and also regularly contributed to PC Gamer. As you might be able to tell, PC is my platform of choice, so you can regularly find me playing League of Legends or Steam's latest indie hit.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Nioh 3 stone demon with red eyes
Action RPGs "If we focus too much on casual players, that would take away the bite," says Nioh 3 dev
 
 
Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters "Defending yourself is no longer treated the same as starting a fight," Arc Raiders devs say of PvP
 
 
A screenshot shows a young woman holding out a blue pouch
Action RPGs I can't love Dark Souls or Bloodborne, but Phantom Blade Zero is the action RPG I wanted them to be
 
 
Arjun runs towards Bastion in Saros, using his blue shield to absorb a spiral of blue orb bullets, with the orange GamesRadar+ Big Preview frame
Roguelike Games Saros will "tempt you to do tricky things", its game designer tells me about its aggressive, creative shield combat
 
 
Edward Kenway attacks an enemy in a screenshot from the Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remastered overview trailer.
Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced brings a huge change to combat and I kind of love it
 
 
At Fate's End key art showcasing your initial sword without logo
Action Games I fell in love with At Fate's End when my sister tore her arm off to make a lightning sword
 
 
Latest in Sports Games
Boxing Beta codes
Sports Games Boxing Beta codes (June 2026) and how to redeem them for Cash
 
 
A car in Rocket League on Unreal Engine 6. I The vehicle is very shiny and is in front of the ball on a soccer field.
Sports Games Rocket League is the first game shown off in Unreal Engine 6 and it's as shiny as you'd expect
 
 
A footballer yells in promotional art for Locked 2.
Sports Games Locked 2 codes for free Yen
 
 
Blue-skinned character wearing backwards hat is protected by illuminous orb while smirking and raising up weapon with one hand
Sports Games PvP indie golf game with 93% "very positive" reviews hits 1 million copies sold on Steam in just over a month
 
 
WWE 2K26
WWE 2K The best WWE 2K26 CAWs you have to download right now
 
 
WWE 2K26
WWE 2K WWE 2K26 MyRise walkthrough and chapter rewards guide
 
 
Latest in News
Scramble Knights Online character looks off-camera through large slits in his plate helmet
RPGs "The haters were right," RPG devs decide after spending 3 years on a battle royale only to cancel it and pivot on Steam
 
 
Two Path of Exile 2 characters standing in a dark room. A woman with golden tusks and red eyes stands in front of a man adorned with turquoise and gold clothing.
Action RPGs Path of Exile 2 devs narrowly prevented an in-game economic disaster by nerfing a broken money-making strategy
 
 
A warrior clenched her weapon in a screenshot from No Rest For The Wicked's announcement trailer
Action RPGs No Rest for the Wicked boss says the Xbox Series S is the reason the PS5 version is out first
 
 
God of War Laufey
God of War Sony's Cory Barlog compares God of War Laufey's gods to billionaires: "They're all a**holes"
 
 
Half-Life: Alyx old man in hat
Horror Movies Backrooms director says Valve is an inspiration: "Don't make it if there's not a meaningful reason"
 
 
Pragmata lead Diana biting a memory card
Third Person Shooters "I really couldn't sleep": In an absurd year for Capcom, Pragmata leads did not want to stumble
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Scramble Knights Online character looks off-camera through large slits in his plate helmet
    1
    "The haters were right," RPG devs decide after spending 3 years on a battle royale only to cancel it and pivot on Steam
  2. 2
    Path of Exile 2 devs narrowly prevented an in-game economic disaster by nerfing a broken money-making strategy
  3. 3
    No Rest for the Wicked boss says the Xbox Series S is the reason the PS5 version is out first
  4. 4
    Sony's Cory Barlog compares God of War Laufey's gods to billionaires: "They're all a**holes"
  5. 5
    Backrooms director says Valve is an inspiration: "Don't make it if there's not a meaningful reason"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...