Games like Football, Tactics & Glory

The Squirrel's verdictBoth games put you in a manager's chair with squad building, contracts, and progression systems layered over matches you don't directly control. FM21 trades FTG's abstract tactics-puzzle battles for a full simulation: transfers, staff, leagues, and a match engine reviewers say has improved AI decision-making. Built for players who want the management layer deep and the club scope enormous.

Not for you if you came to FTG for direct tactical puzzle battles rather than delegating to staff across a simulation averaging 447.6 hours per player.

The Squirrel's verdictBoth put you in a manager's chair building squads, signing players, and setting tactics across seasons. FM22 drops the abstract puzzle-board matches and turn-based tactics for full club management: transfers, contracts, staff, and a real-time match engine, at far greater scope and time investment (median playtime 437.9 hours) than FTG's league grind.

Not for you if you want turn-based tactical control over each play rather than watching a real-time match engine execute your instructions.

The Squirrel's verdictPlayers who liked FTG's club-building layer—transfers, contracts, facilities, player development—but wanted real football simulation depth instead of abstract turn-based matches will find FM23 fits that gap. It offers deep scouting, a detailed player database, and staff delegation across saves that average 400.7 hours, with a steep initial learning curve reviewers consistently flag.

Not for you if you want FTG's tactical-puzzle match engine rather than a staff-delegation-heavy football simulation with no RPG-style player progression cards.

The Squirrel's verdictBoth put you in charge of signings, contracts, facilities, and tactics rather than direct on-pitch control. FM2020 trades FTG's abstracted turn-based matches for a full club-management simulation with deeper scouting and board expectations, at the cost of FTG's puzzle-like tactical layer. Suits players who wanted more managerial depth than FTG offered and can tolerate an unpredictable match engine.

Not for you if you came to FTG for its tactical puzzle combat rather than long-term club administration, or you dislike inconsistent match-engine results.

The Squirrel's verdictFTG's roster-building and squad management scale up here into full club management: transfers, contracts, staff, training, media duties, and a real-world licensed structure instead of an abstract card-battler feel. The turn-based tactical puzzles are gone, replaced by a match engine you watch simulate rather than directly control possession-by-possession.

Not for you if you want direct tactical control over each play rather than setting instructions and watching an engine execute them, or you dislike simulated matches where good attributes still lose individual duels.

The Squirrel's verdictNutmeg's deckbuilding structure sets it apart: instead of FTG's turn-based tactical puzzle board, card decisions determine match outcomes layered onto club management—signings, scouting, promotion battles. Its retro database spanning the 1980s–90s and headhunting mechanics serve players who want card-driven squad building with nostalgic flavor, at a median 17.3 hours per player.

Not for you if you want FTG's turn-based tactical resolution rather than deckbuilding card decisions determining match outcomes.

The Squirrel's verdictNew Star Manager is mouse-only, card-based, and arcade-leaning: you sign and develop players, manage board and fan expectations, and resolve matches through card mechanics and mini-games rather than FTG's turn-based tactical puzzle board. Reviewers compare it to Sensible Soccer in feel. At a median 47.7 hours played, it suits players who want lighter, faster club-building without FTG's steeper learning curve.

Not for you if you want granular turn-based tactical control on the pitch rather than card-based, mouse-driven match resolution.

The Squirrel's verdictBoth replace real football simulation with abstract systems: FTG's tactics puzzles become 90 Minute Fever's online league management, where transfers, contracts, and club building matter more than watching matches play out. This is persistent online play against real managers, not FTG's solo campaign against AI, with median playtime near 750 hours for those who stay.

Not for you if you want single-player pacing instead of an online league where reviewers report scripted-feeling results and dominant top teams.