Games like WE ARE FOOTBALL

The Squirrel's verdictTactics, transfers, training, and season-long club management are all present, as in WE ARE FOOTBALL. FM21 displays full-pitch player movement during matches, making shape and pressing decisions visible in a way the anchor does not support. Reviewers note a steep early learning curve and describe the UI as initially confusing. Median playtime is 447 hours. Suited to players who prioritize tactical granularity over a gentler entry point.

Not for you if you found WE ARE FOOTBALL's accessible, easier design preferable to deep systems with a steep initial learning curve.

The Squirrel's verdictSame core loop: build tactics, manage a squad across seasons, watch matches resolve without full-pitch player control. FM22 trades WE ARE FOOTBALL's simplified systems for far deeper scouting, staff, and tactical layers, plus a match engine reviewers call more transparent about why things go wrong. Built for players who want the management side taken seriously, not streamlined.

Not for you if you found FM's depth reason enough to want something simpler, or you need co-op play.

The Squirrel's verdictScouting, staff delegation, tactics, and database depth are all more developed here than in WE ARE FOOTBALL. Reviewers describe FM2023 as a minor update over previous entries, with the detailed player database and community-made additions cited as the real draw. The learning curve is steep enough that reviewers recommend delegating tasks entirely at the start. Median playtime is 400 hours.

Not for you if you want a simpler, faster-to-learn management game rather than a complex simulation reviewers call one of the least-progressed recent entries.

The Squirrel's verdictTransfers, scouting, tactics, and board management all carry over from WE ARE FOOTBALL's structure, but FM2020 runs a full match engine where all players are visible rather than only the ball carrier. Reviewers flag heavy reliance on crosses, set pieces, and scripted-feeling results as persistent issues. Median playtime is 484 hours, and the depth across squad and staff management is substantially greater.

Not for you if you want consistent, logical match outcomes — reviewers frequently describe results as scripted and illogical across seasons.

The Squirrel's verdictFM19 covers the same ground as WE ARE FOOTBALL — transfers, training, tactics, media — and renders full 3D matches with all 22 players visible, so defensive shape and pressing behavior are trackable in real time. The tactical system received a noted overhaul in this entry. Reviewers flag the match engine's tendency to block crosses and produce inconsistent finishing. Median playtime is 487 hours.

Not for you if you want short sessions or a forgiving match engine — reviewers report frustrating attacking and defensive inconsistencies.

The Squirrel's verdictBoth are football management games where you follow one player or ball-carrier rather than watching full-pitch shape. New Star Manager trades deep tactical granularity for a card-based system, mini-games, and mouse-only match control, landing closer to Sensible World of Soccer than Football Manager. Suits players who found We Are Football's depth overwhelming and want lighter, faster decisions.

Not for you if you want granular tactical control during matches rather than mouse-driven, card-based simplified management.

The Squirrel's verdictFootball Manager 2017 runs the same management cycle — tactics, transfers, squad depth, season-over-season club building — with a full match engine showing all players on the pitch rather than just the ball carrier. Reviewers note limited year-on-year improvement and describe results as feeling disconnected from tactical input. Median playtime is 355 hours. Suits players who want an established, database-heavy simulation with detailed tactical feedback.

Not for you if you want meaningful yearly improvements rather than what reviewers describe as a roster update.

The Squirrel's verdictSame tactical management core: transfers, training, match engine, no arcade shortcuts. Touch strips out the deepest micromanagement layers full FM carries, aimed at people who want the stats-driven depth WE ARE FOOTBALL gestures at without its interface confusion or timed-answer gimmicks. Best suited to players who liked the concept but wanted a cleaner, more established engine underneath.

Not for you if you want full deep customization rather than a trimmed-down version, or expect yearly updates beyond a database refresh.