Rematch open beta beckons this week: 5v5 online soccer that's more like Rocket League than FIFA

Rematch is a soccer game that's been causing quite a stir of late - comparisons drawn to Rocket League certainly haven't hurt - and it now has a launch date, price, plus we've had the announcement of an imminent open beta.

The game looks promising and is made by Sloclap (who developed Sifu, so this is quite a change in direction). It's coming on Xbox, PlayStation 5 and PC platforms on June 19, priced at $29.99, with the open beta starting on April 18 (and registration for that is live now, should you wish to sign up).

PC Gamer recently took Rematch for a hands-on (or feet-on, perhaps) spin and had some high praise for this soccer outing, which can be played 3v3 or 4v4, as well as 5v5.

They also spoke to the creative director of Rematch, Pierre Tarno, who said that making the game free-to-play was never a consideration, and that there's a better way to ensure a rush of players to an online title - make it really good.

Tarno observed: "I never considered free-to-play. One of the things I love about making games is that there is no secret formula or anything, but the best way - or maybe actually the only way - to make a commercial success is to just make a very good game."

Wise words, as they say.

Rematch focuses on the individual - you control just one player all the time - and the ability to pelt around the pitch pulling off skilful moves. It's fast-action, constantly flowing, small-scale arcade soccer by the looks of it, with no stopping play for fouls or offsides, and certainly not a single VAR decision in sight.

As well as the standard game, there will also be Pro and Elite editions that cost more ($40 and $50 respectively) and come with various upgrade tickets and extras.