🔗 Share this article A Remarkable Year for Kicking Balls The essence of soccer eluded me until I observed the game with my father. The moment arrived on a trip to my childhood home in the middle of the global tournament excitement. Italy was competing, and that was a huge deal to my father, an expatriate from the Abruzzo region. Although I always found the match dull, his excitement was so contagious that it riveted me to the TV. I saw the matrix that day, immediately perceiving all the electrifying nuances the game had to offer and buying into its profound importance. It was crucial that Italy claim victory. It's challenging to explain the allure of games to those who are indifferent. It takes to experience that perfect moment where it all makes sense for yourself — or, at the very least, you need an enthusiastic teacher present to demystify the confusing rules and showcase the beating heart of the activity. Evidence from this year shows that this is something a video game can pull off. This year presented three superb soccer games that dissected the sport in distinctly unique, accessible manners. Image: Game Developer / Publisher The Personal Journey: Despelote The pivotal title of that trifecta is Despelote. This indie game is a coming-of-age tale set in South America. On the surface, it's a fairly standard story about a young boy growing up in the early 2000s and finding his place. However, all of this occurs against the canvas of an monumental societal happening: The country's team has made it for the global tournament, and it is the primary thing happening in the characters' lives. Soccer matches are on every television screen. They are shown during family events. It's the only thing anyone can think about. Ball is life. Within this context, we observe the game's protagonist evolve. He's not just navigating where he fits in at a house party, but where he fits into his community as well. Football is inseparable from his identity, and it's through the game that he discovers himself as a proud Ecuadorian. No game has gotten closer a digital experience has ever come to giving me insight into my own father and the reason he was so glued to the World Cup all those years ago. Image: Game Studio The Athletic Core: Rematch Whereas Despelote zooms in on the societal importance of soccer, two other games from this year encapsulate the mechanics of the game itself in more digestible ways than traditional simulations. Rematch, the newest game from the developers behind Sifu, digs into the athleticism of soccer. This multiplayer game breaks down the sport by recasting it as a fast-paced skirmish played between small teams. It borrows ideas from titles like Rocket League to create an pick-up-and-play battle that's built around tight teamwork and precise ball control. I was utterly hooked with Rematch for a solid month this year. It appeared easy during my initial playthroughs, but every time I picked it up, I discovered greater complexity. Instead of just basic kicking and passing, I learned how to juke around the other team to evade a challenge. I mastered how to release the ball to block someone from knocking it away. I drilled my rainbow flicks until I could transform a spectacular maneuver into a legitimate way to escape pressure. Each of these advanced mechanics gave me insight into soccer in ways I wouldn't have been able to understand as a passive observer. I walked away with a better respect for the critical role body control plays in the game, finally seeing what a incredibly skilled endeavor it truly is. Image: Development Team The Tactical Puzzle: Pup Champs Whereas Rematch illuminated the athletic dimension of soccer, Pup Champs playfully explored the cerebral side. The latest title from the developers behind Golf Peaks, Pup Champs is a turn-based football strategy title featuring canine athletes. Each puzzle tasks you to navigate a few pups on a field and guide the ball into a goal. Sounds easy, but the challenge comes from the fact that each pup has a specific ability, they can only advance a set number of squares, and there are hazards to avoid. Solving a stage requires clever thinking and a firm grasp of the playing area. The sensation is like you're coaching a youth soccer team, devising the ideal tactics to lead your team to victory. While not a realistic interpretation of the game by any means, but it's a delightful complement to Rematch. Looking Forward Naturally, other additional titles about soccer, as expected. Major series launched punctually and popular strategy titles made their highly anticipated return. However, thanks to these three games, I spent 2025 pondering soccer more than I have since. Games helped me visualize the physical artistry that goes into a pursuit I'll realistically never be proficient in (too much running!) and appreciate the reasons soccer resonates to so many people. I see this as a promising gaming trend I would love to see continue, with more innovative takes to athletic titles that seek to convey the spirit of a sport rather than copying it exactly. Moreover, a couple of games accomplished this for other athletic pursuits this year, whether it was the exhilarating bicycle races of Wheel World or the artistic odyssey of Skate Story. Whether or not you don't typically enjoy sports, there are increasingly more games out there that are eager to invite you into the fandom.