As a long-time fan of the Football Manager series, I approached Football Manager 2024 with a mix of excitement and skepticism. After spending considerable time with the game, I can confidently say it’s a ‘Mighty’ addition to the series, deserving of its 84 score and high recommendation rate from critics. But, it’s not without its shortcomings
On PC, Football Manager 2024 really impressed me. The game feels fresh and engaging, especially with the revamped transfer mechanics. Negotiating deals now feels more realistic and challenging, adding a new layer of strategy. The set-piece creation is another area where I found a lot of joy, allowing me to dive deeper into tactical nuances. The enhanced player interactions also stood out, making my experience as a virtual manager more immersive and realistic.
However, my experience with the console version was less stellar. Echoing Ford James from Push Square, who gave it a 6/10, I found it significantly pared down compared to the PC version. Key features were missing, and navigating through menus was frustratingly slow. While it might be a decent entry point for newcomers, for someone like me, who’s experienced the depth of the PC version, it felt like a subpar port.
I noticed a lot of discussions in the Steam Community, particularly about player and club attributes, reflecting the game’s complexity and depth that fans like me love. Reviews from PC Gamer and Sports Illustrated highlighted the game’s evolution, which I agree with. These new elements add a fresh feel to the familiar gameplay.
In conclusion, Football Manager 2024 is a solid entry in the series for PC gamers. It brings meaningful updates that enhance the overall experience. However, if you’re a console gamer, you might want to think twice. The console version, in my opinion, doesn’t live up to the series’ standards. For those who can play it on PC, it’s a must-try; for console gamers, it’s a case of ‘buyer beware.’
