Games like Soccer Manager 2020

The Squirrel's verdictFM22 introduced new features each year per reviewers, though a recurring criticism is that annual changes rarely justify a full new purchase — the same tactics can persist across editions and the match engine remains largely unchanged. What it offers over SM2020 is substantially deeper scouting, negotiation, and squad management with no microtransactions. Median playtime is 437 hours at a Very Positive 92.6%.

Not for you if you want SM2020's quick 3-4 hour seasons, free-to-play access, or a noticeably updated match engine over prior FM editions.

The Squirrel's verdictFM2020 covers the same pillars as Soccer Manager 2020—scouting, youth development, transfers, board expectations—but adds granular squad management, a full match engine, and deeper negotiation. Board demands are described as harsh and illogical by reviewers, and the match engine draws criticism for scripted results. Median playtime of 484 hours fits players who want the full slow-burn career, not a 3-4 hour season.

Not for you if you want fast seasons, a free entry point, or a match engine without scripted-feeling results and rigid board pressure.

The Squirrel's verdictFM21 Touch removes press conferences and extended team-talk sequences, keeping matches, negotiations, and squad management without the full FM time commitment. Reviewers who migrated from full FM21 highlight the faster pacing as the main draw; player interaction depth is noted as limited compared to the base game. Median playtime is 197 hours, with a Very Positive 89.8% rating.

Not for you if you want a free game, deep press-conference and team-talk systems, or the full player interaction and dynamics found in the base FM version.

The Squirrel's verdictFM Touch 2020 strips away some of full FM's overhead while keeping transfers, training, and squad management intact. Its standout additions for returning players are a development center and a five-season planning tool, both highlighted by reviewers as genuinely useful for long-term club shaping. A persistent injury frequency complaint, including a real-money magic-sponge option, runs through most reviews. Median playtime is 172 hours.

Not for you if you want Soccer Manager 2020's 3-4 hour seasons, a free entry point, or a game without recurring injury-system complaints.

The Squirrel's verdictBoth are streamlined football management sims built for players who want quick seasons over Football Manager's granularity. New Star Manager trades pure spreadsheet management for a card-based decision system, mini-games, and mouse-driven match involvement, plus a one-time $19.99 price with no in-app purchases. Fits players who liked SM20's pace but want more direct control over each match.

Not for you if you want a free game, deep transfer negotiation, or a traditional stats-only management interface without mini-games.

The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2026 follows the same free, fast-season structure: youth intake, upgrade trees for scouting and training, and a mobile-derived interface carried over to PC. Reviewers describe predatory microtransactions requiring gold bars for agent fees and a feature set that feels ported rather than built for PC. Mostly Positive at 73.6% with a median of 16.8 hours. Suits players content with the annual squad database refresh in a familiar lightweight format.

Not for you if you want a PC-native interface, no microtransactions for basic functions like agent fees, or meaningful changes to match simulation and transfer logic.

The Squirrel's verdictSoccer Manager 2021 runs the same structure as 2020: fast seasons, continuous youth intake, upgrade trees for scouting, training, and merchandise. Reviewers flag transfer AI that generates implausible moves, match results that feel disconnected from ratings, and board objectives that lead to sudden sackings. Median playtime is 20.6 hours. For players who finished 2020 wanting an updated squad database inside the same framework.

Not for you if you want the transfer AI, match simulation quality, or board expectation balance to be noticeably improved over the 2020 version.

The Squirrel's verdictFootball Manager Touch 2018 targets players who find full FM too slow and Football Manager Mobile too shallow — a paid middle ground built around transfers, training, and tactics without the full version's micromanagement. Reviewers consistently flag that yearly editions offer little beyond a database update, and text commentary was removed. Median playtime of 175 hours reflects sustained investment rather than Soccer Manager's 3-4 hour seasons.

Not for you if you want free-to-play access, quick seasons, or meaningful feature additions over what the previous year's edition provided.