Football Manager 2019

 PC
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 2, 2018
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 139
  3. Negative: 26 out of 139

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  1. DirtyDeeds4Free
    Dec 8, 2018
    3
    Old poor match engine. Or rather I should say worse than ever because I remember times when there was in FM a possession football, some passes inside the penalty box, not so many nonsense panic shots and blocked crosses. Maybe it wil improve slightly with patches (I mean the last one in March) but don't expect much. Such poor match enigne makes all these nice tools in match analysis almostOld poor match engine. Or rather I should say worse than ever because I remember times when there was in FM a possession football, some passes inside the penalty box, not so many nonsense panic shots and blocked crosses. Maybe it wil improve slightly with patches (I mean the last one in March) but don't expect much. Such poor match enigne makes all these nice tools in match analysis almost completely useless.
    Tactics sucks, very few options to tweak your game plan, you can't effectively order your attacking players to get back and press the opponent, it's such a rigid unrealistic tactical management, it's only about general shape of the whole team and some special treats of your players.
    Also as mentioned by others, poor unrealistic transfer market, poor AI, many boring old features like answearing thousand times same questions for media.
    Finally trening looks like it make sense, but you can't really say that before playing few seasons, and there is nothing in this game to make you want to play that long.    … Expand
  2. Damedius
    Nov 22, 2018
    5
    Game is currently in beta conditions. Its playable but filled with game breaking bugs.

    There is a bug that can prevent you from saving. I lost eight hours of gameplay. Another big bug I ran into was being unable to increase the clubs youth level which made trying to develop youth players much harder. The worst is the Football Manager Community on the SI Forums. They are almost like    Game is currently in beta conditions. Its playable but filled with game breaking bugs.

    There is a bug that can prevent you from saving. I lost eight hours of gameplay. Another big bug I ran into was being unable to increase the clubs youth level which made trying to develop youth players much harder.

    The worst is the Football Manager Community on the SI Forums. They are almost like a cult. Filled with fanboi's and heavy handed moderators.

    They relentless attack those who bring up any shortcoming of SI and are quick to defend them. You will attacked by the community and have any threads that point anything wrong being closed.

    Members of the community were attacking people for leaving negative feedback in the official feedback thread.    … Expand
  3. zanygreek
    Feb 9, 2019
    4
    They really are phoning this game in now and have been for some time. clunky and slow even on a beast of a PC. terrible layout, same same
  4. EPMD
    Apr 4, 2019
    5
    What I Like: Tactical options, revamped team training, the usual comprehensive database of teams and players, and an improved user interface.

    What I Don't Like: Poor AI logic, unbalanced match engine, and frustrating player development. Player development is frustrating because teenagers develop extremely quickly even without match experience, while 20-25 year olds often show no    What I Like: Tactical options, revamped team training, the usual comprehensive database of teams and players, and an improved user interface.

    What I Don't Like: Poor AI logic, unbalanced match engine, and frustrating player development.

    Player development is frustrating because teenagers develop extremely quickly even without match experience, while 20-25 year olds often show no improvement despite playing all season. Uncertainty is good, but the aging curve needs to be less rigid. You might as well ignore potential ability once a player hits 20.

    But the match engine is the bigger problem. When you see your team has crossed the ball 60 times in a match (EPL teams cross 15-20 times per match in real life), despite you telling your two wide players to "cross less often" then you know the game mechanics are flawed. Even your opponents will cross that often because the game seems to hard-code into player logic. It's enough to make yo want to play an older version.    … Expand
  5. Green59
    May 26, 2019
    0
    this game is soo bad...worst fm ever...soo unreal,,,definetly last fm i buy
  6. detour
    Aug 1, 2019
    0
    Just a reskin like some people have said, except in some ways the engine is actually getting worse and less and less realistic. Absolutely terrible.
  7. JimiVegas
    Nov 6, 2019
    4
    Late review for the life of FM 2019 but thought I'd write fore people before they buy FM20. Basically bought after not having bought since 2015. It's a great looking game, and a lot of stuff is really good - tactics, training, the stats, visualisations, analysis, etc.
    BUT - unknown players cost a fortune. Negotiations, player interaction, press interaction all gets boring and samey. But    Late review for the life of FM 2019 but thought I'd write fore people before they buy FM20. Basically bought after not having bought since 2015. It's a great looking game, and a lot of stuff is really good - tactics, training, the stats, visualisations, analysis, etc.
    BUT - unknown players cost a fortune. Negotiations, player interaction, press interaction all gets boring and samey. But WORST of all - the MATCH ENGINE. It's terrible. EPL matches rarely see over 20 shots - I regularly get 30+, 40+, 50+ and can't score, and I draw or lose. You get a feel for the games you know you'll lose and as I read in another review - it's a puzzle game, where the solution is to optimise the number that dictates whether you'll win or lose - It feels very much like that. It's not that realistic.

    That's not to say it isn't fun. It is - but SI have never managed to solve that problem in their coding.

    It's also clunky - particularly player searches, which are slow.    … Expand
  8. bigAreanu
    Jan 16, 2020
    0
    Spent hours only to manage to go through the complicated GUI. Useless info everywhere, annoying game, huge disappointment.
    There is no intuitive gameplay.
    Feels like there was no project manager for it.
    Huge disappointment for a management/simulation fan.
    I miss the good days of the older FM and/or the defunct FIFA Manager :(
  9. chefenddd
    Nov 8, 2018
    0
    nothing new. pretty much the same game every year.
    miss the good old Cm2001
  10. SuperMax156
    Nov 5, 2018
    2
    Yearly release cycles are ludicrous for this game. I only buy a version of it once every 3 or 4 years. Frankly the game is getting too complicated for its own good, playing FM is more like having a second job now than a relaxing diversion.
  11. BLADELING
    Nov 2, 2018
    0
    Football Manager has radically changed my way of buying games in recent years. Worse. Because I don't trust the developers anymore.

    In FM 2019 they have improved training and tactics (just the layout, honestly) but left out many other problems accumulated over the last 5 years. Some of them really very boring. AI is still far behind (this is why I'm not convinced at all by the tactics    Football Manager has radically changed my way of buying games in recent years. Worse. Because I don't trust the developers anymore.

    In FM 2019 they have improved training and tactics (just the layout, honestly) but left out many other problems accumulated over the last 5 years. Some of them really very boring. AI is still far behind (this is why I'm not convinced at all by the tactics change). The negotiations, the relations with the media and the players, remains all boring. For example: once again it will be useless to identify the potential star playing in an unknown league, because it will cost you more than Ronaldo.

    So, yes, it's something more than the usual database update, which we were used to, but not at this price. You will read positive reviews from those who bought it at 20-30 euros. For 20 euros I would have spoken very well of it too, for 55 not. For 55 is a refund.

    My advice is: don't buy it if you bought FM 2018. Or wait for the next sales.    … Expand
  12. JDSCigano666
    Jan 18, 2019
    0
    You can still get a lot of mileage out of the older games for a fraction of the price; it's still just the same re-skin. Better yet if you want a realistic management sim where actual prizes are at stake, sign up for a Fantasy Football season and get a real taste of it.
  13. ChrisBant
    Nov 6, 2018
    10
    It's my first Football Manager and I love it. I see that people are mad that the devs don't do anything new to this series and I probably won't buy 2020 one. My experience is great, I really feel like football manager, it's an awesome game for people like me. And I am giving it 10/10 because I love the ideas behind it. I can't deliver you a comparison with other "football managers" but IIt's my first Football Manager and I love it. I see that people are mad that the devs don't do anything new to this series and I probably won't buy 2020 one. My experience is great, I really feel like football manager, it's an awesome game for people like me. And I am giving it 10/10 because I love the ideas behind it. I can't deliver you a comparison with other "football managers" but I see that there is no point in buying more than 1. I am going to play it from time to time for 2 years or 3. My new travel game in the train or plane, I'm happy for it. And it's a great title. But don't get me wrong, my rating tells a story of one game, and it's awesome, but eventually, it gets boring. After 12 hrs I'm tired of it and I need a break. I/m going to play some other games and return to it after a while or in a train.
    Experience is 10/10 and it might be a personal opinion from me, but that's how reviews work, right?    … Expand
  14. ShadowPeter
    Nov 11, 2018
    8
    Another year, another Football Manager brought by Sports Interactive. This series has been coming since 2005 and as such, fans should be eager to know what the small news of this new version. Signing up for a club as a coach, setting tactics and training, hiring and taking the club as far as possible in national and international competitions are things that are part of everyday life inAnother year, another Football Manager brought by Sports Interactive. This series has been coming since 2005 and as such, fans should be eager to know what the small news of this new version. Signing up for a club as a coach, setting tactics and training, hiring and taking the club as far as possible in national and international competitions are things that are part of everyday life in Football Manager.

    But let's go directly to the news features of this Football Manager 2019. Now we have more realistic and detailed training sessions. Each day has two or three training sessions that can be dedicated to game tactics, attacking or defensive moves, or more general things. In other words, whatever we understand. It may be a bit annoying at first to be altering train X on day X, but it's a very good feature.

    The tactics have also been changed ... and for the better. Movements with or without ball are back. Now we can change our tactics more deeply and there are lots of options for the player to choose and form the kind of game they want. The Tiki-taka of Barcelona, the bus of José Mourinho or the Gegenpressing of Jürgen Klopp. Yes, at the beginning it is natural that it is difficult to define a tactic with feets and head, especially for those who are new to the Football Manager series, but this is part of the menu, which makes things more rewarding. It should be noted that the 1st Division German (Bundesliga) and the 2nd Division German have for the first time the teams, equipment and licensed players.

    Football Manager 2019 also added the VAR (Video-referee), which allows us to see the marked offsides. But not everything is roses in this new version, because Football Manager and Transfers are two words that don't match. Unfortunately, it's already a common problem in the Football Manager series. It continues to make zero-sense clubs asking for more than 100 million euros for an unknown young player.

    Visually, Football Manager games have never been appealing (nor was it ever their goal), but that's because the producers have always wanted to make the Football Manager series a lightweight game. However, 3D Match Engine received improvements, especially with the physics of the ball. Negative points are the transfer market, the number of injuries a bit exaggerated and the printing conferences are something generic and repetitive. In the end, Football Manager 2019 turns out to be a good improvement over last year's version.

    Veredict: Football Manager 2019 has received some modifications for the better and is recommended for fans of the series.    … Expand
  15. Shamage
    Jan 24, 2019
    0
    I really don't understand why do people buy the same game every year. No real changes, it is still the basic football manager. If you like this genre, you can play the old versions and you do not loose anything.
  16. jimellow_yellow
    Apr 21, 2019
    9
    FM19 is totally worth the money for any football nerd who wants to experiment with tranfers, tactics and team dynamics in what is a complex and frankly, overwhelming database of staff, teams, competitions and players. The latest version is the best I've seen and a step up from last year. Improved tactics, training and match engine are worth the extra price alone (not forgetting to mentionFM19 is totally worth the money for any football nerd who wants to experiment with tranfers, tactics and team dynamics in what is a complex and frankly, overwhelming database of staff, teams, competitions and players. The latest version is the best I've seen and a step up from last year. Improved tactics, training and match engine are worth the extra price alone (not forgetting to mention the latest wonderkids). In short, don't waste your time buying an earlier version. Casual users will prefer the more streamlined version of the game, but for purists that have plenty of time on their hands, there is enough here to spend, oh, say 200+ hours on.… Expand
  17. kyzaghan
    May 20, 2019
    8
    Detailed training mode is good. Extended dialog options is nice. Menu design is great. Improved graphics and match broadcast engine is lovely. BUT License issues are bad. FPS Drops are frustrating. AS A RESULT, You will not be able to get up for hours, you will discover new talentsand you will win great cups in the seasons waiting for you.
  18. CoobleBr
    Jun 20, 2019
    10
    The best soccer game ever. You can make your history in the club you support and see it champions with your work. It´s amazing. I only don´t understand why the FM2019 it isn´t sold in brazil, but, it´s a amazing game!
  19. 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
  20. RogueV
    Dec 5, 2019
    9
    2019 is a huge leap forward from 2018 because of the new tactics system and beautiful UI. One of the milestones of the franchise.
  21. Manzanetti
    Aug 10, 2020
    6
    Got a decent amount of time from the game. Maybe it's not a great improvement from the last one I played (2017) and a lot of issues are still there (match engine above all), but I love this experience and can't help it!
  22. Crypt
    Sep 9, 2019
    7
    Not the best franchise game, but not the worst either. The game could have a higher degree of difficulty. No more fulfills your goals. Worth it.
  23. vanya200044
    Sep 30, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good game. Тут хорошо, мне понравилось, ещё бы не лагало, но оно и не лагало. Carpe diem. Ish ist aufgeregt.… Expand
  24. Mister_Jey
    Jan 12, 2021
    10
    → Didier Deschamps n'a qu'à bien se tenir !
    Quel bonheur de retrouver ce qui est possiblement ma licence préférée. J'y joué étant plus jeune, et je me rends compte rapidement qu'il reste de loin le maître des jeux de gestion sportive. Ça base de donnée est comme d'habitude hallucinante. Le moteur graphique par contre n'a pas énormément évolué depuis le temps, même si ça ne me gêne    → Didier Deschamps n'a qu'à bien se tenir !
    Quel bonheur de retrouver ce qui est possiblement ma licence préférée. J'y joué étant plus jeune, et je me rends compte rapidement qu'il reste de loin le maître des jeux de gestion sportive. Ça base de donnée est comme d'habitude hallucinante. Le moteur graphique par contre n'a pas énormément évolué depuis le temps, même si ça ne me gêne aucunement puisque l'important est de pouvoir avoir des matchs 3D, et que les graphismes sont finalement secondaires pour ce type de jeu. Un must !

    Sortie en novembre 2019 / Développé par Sports Interactive.    … Expand
  25. erdogfu96
    Feb 9, 2020
    1
    One of the worst game that I played in this series. They should improve the fun and decrease details. Games would need to be faster. Players are not real managers and they don't need to be that good.
  26. Kludd4Ever
    Jun 6, 2020
    0
    Same old **** as every year. Nothing new. Every year tehy brag as they bring something, only to see it's the same as it was from the start.
  27. MikeTepelus
    Apr 6, 2021
    10
    Even if the game is 2 years old already (actually 3, taking into account it was launched in November 2018), the level of realism dazzles. The personalities of the players on the pitch are very well reproduced, for me being very easy to recognize their style of play as I watch a common football game.

    I started an international qualifying campaign to Euro with my homeland nation and after    Even if the game is 2 years old already (actually 3, taking into account it was launched in November 2018), the level of realism dazzles. The personalities of the players on the pitch are very well reproduced, for me being very easy to recognize their style of play as I watch a common football game.

    I started an international qualifying campaign to Euro with my homeland nation and after taking them to the EURO Final Tournament from the 2nd place of the qualifying group - this while beating the best nation in the game at the time (Belgium, 2-0) and some previous World Cup Winnners (Spain, 1-0 in a testing friendly), I was knocked out from the group stage with 3 consecutive defeats, but the joy felt while playing FM19 remains the same after years and years of game editions and for the editions to come, I am pretty sure.

    An enjoyable tactical managerial sport simulation strategy.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PC Game of 2018
89
#89 Most Discussed PC Game of 2018
50
#50 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 5, 2019
    85
    A lot of new possibilities and features, new and improved UI, and good old contagious gameplay.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Dec 31, 2018
    80
    The most player-friendly edition of the Football Manager, which, unfortunately, can bore the veterans of the series with its slow evolution. [Issue#291]
  3. Critical Hit
    Dec 6, 2018
    70
    If you’re a die-hard football fan but also a lover of the behind the scene workings of football, this is a game that will give you all of that to your heart's content. For the rest of us football fans, I’d suggest sticking to the latest iteration of FIFA.
    Read full review
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