Football Manager 2018

 PC
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 111 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 111
  3. Negative: 33 out of 111

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  1. aralath
    Aug 7, 2018
    7
    Some mechanics of the game still not improved. E. g. Players rebels way too easily to nonsense.
  2. Xextreem
    Jan 20, 2018
    4
    Its already 2018 and then this peace of trash comes. This is update update after update update same game over and over and over again. Still people keep funding sega. Stop buying poor games that still the same as last year.
  3. Kire_92
    Mar 12, 2018
    9
    This is the first Football Manager I’ve bought in 4 years (due to the fact that there is not enough changes every year) and I’ve had a great experience with it.

    The amount of control I have over my team is great and the game looks better than ever before. And due to the depth of this game I can get lost in it for hours, days, months and even years. This game offers a lot of content and    This is the first Football Manager I’ve bought in 4 years (due to the fact that there is not enough changes every year) and I’ve had a great experience with it.

    The amount of control I have over my team is great and the game looks better than ever before. And due to the depth of this game I can get lost in it for hours, days, months and even years. This game offers a lot of content and different challenges that keeps me going for ages.

    But there are still some problems in the game that has been in the series for a long time. A lot of the problems that are the most annoying according to me are those that arise in saves that you have been playing for a long time. For example that the game almost never creates big upsets or changes in the footballing world. The teams in the Champions league are almost all the same year after year. The top teams in the biggest division are almost all the same too. The only chance for something new and exciting to happen is for you to control a team and make history yourself.

    And there are a lot of other problems such as the game becoming very slow after a few years and other problems that arise in long saves. Bur the developers will probably never fix these due to the fact that they want to you buy a new game every year and making the game last longer is not something that's in their interests. But the game is still amazing and offers a lot of content and enjoyment and is well deserved of a high score.    … Expand
  4. ferdelance
    Jun 25, 2019
    3
    Playing Football Managers since the early 90s. Bundesligamanager-Series, Anstoss Series, EA Fussballmanager Series. They where all better than this Thing. Here´s why:
    1. before you get to Play your first game, you have to answer like a Million Emails, and EVERY day there are many new mails.
    2. if you Play a game and lose, say 0-5, and then you re-load it, you will never have the same    Playing Football Managers since the early 90s. Bundesligamanager-Series, Anstoss Series, EA Fussballmanager Series. They where all better than this Thing. Here´s why:
    1. before you get to Play your first game, you have to answer like a Million Emails, and EVERY day there are many new mails.
    2. if you Play a game and lose, say 0-5, and then you re-load it, you will never have the same result. You´ll Play 3-1, or 5-1 or 0-8 or who knows - without chaning anything.
    3. when you get very successful and have a lot of Money, they will ask for a 19yo top Talent easily 150 Mio € or more. not world class Talent, some 4 Star guy
    4. everything is so detailed - but in a boring way - that it takes literally hours to manage everything between games.
    5. the gameplay itself, i.e. when you watch the two Teams Play in 3D - it´s just pathetic and you feel shame and pity for the guys who made this.

    Never buying one again until they do not Change almost everything.

    Pro: have the licenses, and, .....well, only that.    … Expand
  5. LordSigmar
    Nov 12, 2017
    4
    it is very laggy and runs poorly. Not much has really changed, wait for a sale.

    Also the amount of injuries in this game is shocking. Chelsea won the league last year using the same team every game. If you tried this in FM your whole team would be injured. Here's a case I lost 3-0 to chelsea in the first leg of the champion league. The second leg I conceded an early goal. So the    it is very laggy and runs poorly. Not much has really changed, wait for a sale.

    Also the amount of injuries in this game is shocking. Chelsea won the league last year using the same team every game. If you tried this in FM your whole team would be injured.

    Here's a case I lost 3-0 to chelsea in the first leg of the champion league. The second leg I conceded an early goal. So the match is lost so I put it on the lowest intentisty possible and said take a breather. Guess what, I still got 3 people injuried during the game. The sports scientist makes no sense, all my players have high injury chance even with rotation. Rotating a whole squad every match is not realistic, managers stick to their best 11 and 3-4 subs, not having to sub in full teams after every game.

    Also the match engine still needs work,. My full backs always seem to do this stupid shot cross which gets saved or goes wide. I am getting so bored of watching this that I have turned 2d on. I always miss penalties. I have scored 5 penalties out of 11 even tho I have neymar etc taking them.

    The new dynamics system is more of an annoyance than fun game play. For instance a rotation player demanded a new contract even though his average rating was only 7, I refused and half the team rebelled and called me out to explain, resulting in lost morale.

    Also the new scouting system is terrible and its better just to scout all the players from the top teams yourself.

    All in all don't buy this game, that are too many bugs and its laggy, I spent half my time on this game pressing spacebar and waiting for the next screen to load.    … Expand
  6. icefrom70s
    Nov 19, 2017
    0
    I've played every single FM since the first release and every single CM since CM 2001/2002. You cannot be serious with this game, FM18. By far the worst game the series has ever produced. It's 10 days since it has been released and it's not yet ready to hit the market as a live game. Full of bugs, it's absolutely ridiculous. I'm leading 3-0 at half time and I'm getting equalized because itI've played every single FM since the first release and every single CM since CM 2001/2002. You cannot be serious with this game, FM18. By far the worst game the series has ever produced. It's 10 days since it has been released and it's not yet ready to hit the market as a live game. Full of bugs, it's absolutely ridiculous. I'm leading 3-0 at half time and I'm getting equalized because it won't make my substitutions. Once I make my changes, the substituted player appears on the bench in place of the player that should have gone on the pitch, but on the pitch is still the substituted player. So I have the same player two times (once running out of position on the pitch as I've changed the tactic and once chilling down on the bench). And many other bugs. Thanks SI for destroying all my trust in the series. I will think twice before I will buy any other FM. I think I will stick with FM16 as your work stopped there.… Expand
  7. LosOutlier
    Jan 4, 2018
    4
    None of the new features are enough to distract from the fact that this game is still FM. What I mean by that is that what you do as a manager accounts for about 50% of how well your team does, the other 50% is just the game randomly deciding what the scores in each game should be.

    6 seasons in with Whitehawk and the pattern is the same every season - I underachieve. I've lost count of    None of the new features are enough to distract from the fact that this game is still FM. What I mean by that is that what you do as a manager accounts for about 50% of how well your team does, the other 50% is just the game randomly deciding what the scores in each game should be.

    6 seasons in with Whitehawk and the pattern is the same every season - I underachieve. I've lost count of how many games I've had stolen from me against the run of play, where I've had more clear cut chances than the other team but don't get the win. This happens in football but only in a minority of games - IN FM THIS IS THE NORM, GAME AFTER GAME, SEASON AFTER SEASON.

    The devs contend that there is no anti player bias at all in the game but this is a pure lie. How else can it be explained that with 6 games to go needing 11 points to secure the league, I conceded 5 penalties in those 6 games, collected four points, lost the title to some inferior team. Did I win the playoffs? Ha!! You gotta be kidding.

    Unless you enjoy feelings of rage and frustration then don't bother with this game.    … Expand
  8. fourminou
    Nov 17, 2017
    0
    Not enough change. The 3d and graphic are even worse than last year I dont know how they can do this.

    The multiplayer game is unplayable for me playing from a different country than my friend...

    I bought all the football manager since 1998 but it's the last one I buy if they not make BIG changes.
  9. ShadowPeter
    Nov 10, 2017
    6
    Another year, another Football Manager. For those who do not know this series, which already dates from 2004, it is a football game that offers us the position of coach and we have to lead our club to success, being necessary to manage everything, including players, training and tactics. Many of those who know this series should already be asking what news has this FM 2018 in relation toAnother year, another Football Manager. For those who do not know this series, which already dates from 2004, it is a football game that offers us the position of coach and we have to lead our club to success, being necessary to manage everything, including players, training and tactics. Many of those who know this series should already be asking what news has this FM 2018 in relation to the previous one. They are few and nothing more than an attempt to join the useful to... the game that still has the old problems of the previous Football Manager's.

    Dynamics is a new system of Football Manager 2018, which aims to add a new layer of realism to the game. This system aims to relate the state of team cohesion with the state of administrative support and team performance on the pitch. The hierarchy (Dynamic) presents a table, divided in 4 parts, with the players who are influencers. Social groups, which can be divided into 3 or 4 groups, are meant to show the connection between the players. In Dynamics (Satisfaction), we can also observe the happiness of the squad, if they are happy with the training, with the club, etc, just as we can call a team meeting and talk about the team's current performance, to try to increase the morale of group.

    Football Manager 2018 also has a new feature called "Medical Center". With this, we can see in more detail the injuries of the players, take care of the physical condition of the players, see the history of injuries that the players had and see the Risk Analysis of each player, among other things. Scouting only received a better organization and for the first time in the series, we can improve the facilities and buy packages that cover local, national or continental leagues. As much as the Social Groups and Medical Center were the aspects that pleased me more in this Football Manager, as well as I liked the fact that we can observe the strengths and weaknesses of our next opponent. The graphics engine has been slightly upgraded (it now supports DirectX 11), although it is considered to be minor. A plus of this Football Manager 2018 are the loadings. I notice they are much faster than the previous titles.

    But leaving the new features and the graphics engine aside, and time to talk about what is one of the most important nuclei of Football Manager: tactics. As always, the player has to build a tactic with his feet and head to lead the club to success. Offensive or defensive football, with or without ball possession, fluid or structured, frequency of crossings, short or mixed passes, etc. There is a lot for the user to choose. However, I have a negative point to point to the tactics of the game. I feel that some tactics are too strong compared to others. For example, I use an offensive 4-3-3 layout (two center defenses, two lateral defenses, three middle and three forward) offensive and in one of the games I gave 8-0 to FC Bayern Münich and I find it unrealistic.

    Goalkeepers, even the best, like David De Gea or Manuel Neuer, look like ducks to defend. They don't know how to force the balls to go forward or to another direction that does not carry the ball to the goal. The engine of the game (attention I'm not referring to the graphics engine) is somewhat retarded. Sometimes the players do not do what we ask (in the instructions) in the corners and the on free kicks. I ask them (in the corners) to point to the 2nd pole and do the exact opposite or send the ball to the other side.

    Sports Interactive likd (by negative) to undermine our club, with some players complaining constantly that they need minutes or because they want to be the starters. What about transfers in this Football Manager?? Sports Interactive also continues to sleep in this chapter. Clubs demanding a huge millions of euros cake to try to hire a completely unknown X player is nonsense. For example, I tried to hire an unknown young striker from AC Milan and the Italian club asked for 39.5 million.

    The new features of Football Manager 2018 brought a little breath of fresh air to the series, but the old problems continue to persist and Sports Interactive doesn't want to resolve that. Football Manager 2018 did an exhibition "à lá" SL Benfica (without anything against the club and without anything against the fans) and leaves from here with a draw.    … Expand
  10. thedaywalker
    Nov 11, 2017
    8
    They finally steped up and changed their game.
    I think they could have done way more, at least in the team instructions department, but its really good.
    They included dynamincs which helps you make captain decisions and who to actually sell for the squad harmony to remain as intact as possible Liked some of the new roles they added, specially the inverted wingers which is something i    They finally steped up and changed their game.
    I think they could have done way more, at least in the team instructions department, but its really good.
    They included dynamincs which helps you make captain decisions and who to actually sell for the squad harmony to remain as intact as possible
    Liked some of the new roles they added, specially the inverted wingers which is something i told myself about since Football manager 2015
    And also liked the new Briefing mode before the games, it is a load of help and helps you tell the team or each player what you want from them that exact match    … Expand
  11. Dragon_Fly
    Sep 1, 2018
    4
    This game is really aggravating me with how players who get slightly bumped by other players will then suddenly stand there like an Army Figurine waiting for the team to get the ball. They mind as well have them lay on the floor and play the planking fad.
  12. oz4n
    Dec 5, 2017
    0
    FM series was fun up until a few years ago.
    Then with all repetitiveness it became funny of devs releasing it every year.
    Now neither it's fun nor it's funny anymore that this is literally FM2017 v2.
    So stop this sh*t please.
  13. alcof89
    Dec 8, 2017
    0
    Played it for years - this is the worst yet. Match engine is unbearable. They've mad things needlessly more difficult in a number of instances. Not enough progress on tactics.
  14. Szmjolnir
    Oct 29, 2018
    10
    Highly recommend. Still getting fun from this game even if I've spent about 500 hours.
  15. Sh4rk82
    Feb 5, 2019
    8
    Probably one of the best football manager games on the market or at least the best you can find. football manager is a long date brand game about football. A complex and deep gameplay will challenge you to led a team to tjhe victory. Personally I would just improve the info layout shown on screen. Sometimes also the AI during the match is not the best. For the rest if you like manager gameProbably one of the best football manager games on the market or at least the best you can find. football manager is a long date brand game about football. A complex and deep gameplay will challenge you to led a team to tjhe victory. Personally I would just improve the info layout shown on screen. Sometimes also the AI during the match is not the best. For the rest if you like manager game you must buy it.… Expand
  16. EviltoastSA
    Aug 23, 2018
    6
    Ive been playing the genre and series for years now. I could go into a lot of details and nag about excessive injuries and injury proneness. BUT the new match engine is a joke! Virtually every highlight will contain a section of play that will make any football fan scratch their heads and go WTF, Looks like the players AI took a few steps back with this edition. The visual match engineIve been playing the genre and series for years now. I could go into a lot of details and nag about excessive injuries and injury proneness. BUT the new match engine is a joke! Virtually every highlight will contain a section of play that will make any football fan scratch their heads and go WTF, Looks like the players AI took a few steps back with this edition. The visual match engine also looks terrible, players look like they are running on treadmills, the running animations dont match their speeds, defenders just dont appear to be interested in intercepting passes or even making tackles, attacking players will attempt crazy long shots and miss hit them so badly its almost humorous. Keepers cant seem to cover the near post area, they also never intercept any far post cross even when its right in front of them and more and more etc etc. This is not a football simulation this is a football themed circus.… Expand
  17. Wiebe
    Feb 26, 2020
    0
    Football manager barely changes anything and republishes their game for full price. Greedy cheap basterds. The game database is great, but if you play for long enough and understand the mechanics the game becomes easy to beat, because it requires little adaption to the opponent and the scouting system is easy to game. There is also always some game breaking problem, such as crossingsFootball manager barely changes anything and republishes their game for full price. Greedy cheap basterds. The game database is great, but if you play for long enough and understand the mechanics the game becomes easy to beat, because it requires little adaption to the opponent and the scouting system is easy to game. There is also always some game breaking problem, such as crossings working insanely well.… Expand
  18. Green59
    Feb 21, 2018
    0
    game is soo unreal,probably worst fm...waste of money,,,need 10000 attempt to score goal while enemy team score one goal with 1 attempt
  19. Woolee
    Sep 28, 2021
    7
    Still the best thing for any true Football lover out there, it will take weeks and months of your life.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PC Game of 2017
48
#48 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. CD-Action
    Feb 8, 2018
    90
    I’m delighted that after so many years the developers managed to find a room for improvements that enrich the experience in such meaningful and impactful ways and got another inch closer to blurring the line between Football Manager and reality. It’s hard to believe, but the game is even better than it was. [01/2018, p.66]
  2. Gamersky
    Jan 21, 2018
    88
    Football Manager 2018 builds a virtual world which can rival the real one, by using huge and complex database. Many new features in 2018 were designed just to let players experience a more and more realistic manager career.
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  3. Games.cz
    Jan 21, 2018
    80
    Progress? Sure. Nothing incredibly dramatic to move the football game world, but as you once jump into a new year, you will not return back to the previous one voluntarily.
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