10 Best Football Manager Games In 3D Match Engine, Ranked

Among the most popular soccer games on the market, Football Manager by Sports Interactive stands out from its competitors. In this game, players do not control the athletes on the field during matches – as they do in EA Sports FC or eFootball – but rather assume the role of managers who oversee the entire club, organizing training sessions, transfers, and match tactics.

Additionally, one of the franchise’s major innovations introduced in 2009 was the game’s 3D Match Engine, which allowed matches to be played out more dynamically. For the 2025 edition, SI Games plans to update the engine to Unity, marking the end of a legacy of great Football Manager versions. These enhancements make it one of the best soccer management games available.

The Beginning Of The 3d Era

• Release Date: November 14, 2008

The 2009 edition of Football Manager was a milestone for the franchise, introducing players to its new 3D graphics engine. Being the first time SI Games implemented these changes and having been released over a decade ago, the game is somewhat clunky and lacks the fluidity of more recent editions. However, it was a significant change for its time, solidifying it as one of the top soccer manager games.

Furthermore, Football Manager 09 also introduced other elements that became key to the franchise. For the first time, female managers could be created, and press conferences were introduced, where players could answer various questions from journalists, enhancing immersion and providing a more authentic manager experience.

Minor Redesigns Enhanced The Experience

• Release Date: November 2, 2012

The release of Football Manager 2013 was filled with new features for fans of the franchise. The main changes aimed to make gameplay faster, especially for those players who wanted to quickly reach match day. Called Football Manager Classic, this option streamlined various player management processes.

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Another new addition this year was the Challenge Mode, which placed players in different scenarios that needed to be resolved within half a season, testing each player’s skills in the game. Although many preferred to stick with the traditional gameplay, it was a good addition for those looking for something different in their save.

Significant Overhaul To The Tactical System

• Release Date: October 30, 2013

In addition to the standard minor enhancements to the game’s 3D engine, such as improved player AI and better lighting, Football Manager 2014 introduced significant changes to the tactical system, marking it as one of the best Football Manager games for advanced strategy enthusiasts.

Instructions were now more complex, mirroring how coaches would give instructions to players in real life. While this brought Football Manager closer to realism, some players struggled to adapt to these changes. Ultimately, the game was a success, selling over one million copies.

Updated With The Dynamics System

• Release Date: November 10, 2017

The primary change in Football Manager 2018 was the addition of the Dynamics system, where managers could better understand what was happening in the minds of their players. This tool was useful for understanding what was affecting each player’s morale, making it one of the top soccer management games for player interactions.

This system also displayed the influence of each player within the squad, with social groups forming among them, potentially leading to issues if the squad was not well-managed. However, if managers could effectively control each player’s ego, the results would be positive in the long run, with the team functioning more cohesively.

Tactical Changes And Introduction Of VAR

• Release Date: November 2, 2018

VAR began to be incorporated into major European soccer leagues during the 17-18 season. Therefore, for Football Manager 2019, one of SI Games’ innovations was adding this system to the game. Like in real-life sports, this element received mixed reactions from fans, but it solidified this edition as one of the best versions of Football Manager for realistic match experiences.

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However, the main innovations were related to tactical elements, the core aspect of the game. Now, tactics needed to be thought of in three phases: possession, transition, and out-of-possession. This became vital for club success and allowed players to have greater control over how teams behaved in each game phase.

Improved Offensive Movements

• Release Date: November 18, 2019

In Football Manager 2020, Club Vision was introduced, which changed the game beyond the meeting room. This new feature is divided into three parts: club culture, ongoing objectives, and a five-year plan. These elements are dynamic and change as the player progresses in the game, making it one of the best soccer management games for long-term planning.

Moreover, Football Manager 2020 brought improvements to the engine. Human models were updated for more realistic anatomy, with clothes moving more naturally. Fields now react to weather, and lighting was improved with more natural shading.

New Metrics For Evaluating Players

One of the major innovations in Football Manager 2021 was the update to the Match Engine AI, making actions on the field more unpredictable and fluid. Players could now adjust their decisions as the game developed, while defenders reacted more intelligently to offensive movements.

Additionally, the game’s interface was redesigned, and graphics were more detailed. Another highlight was the introduction of the match analysis system, with advanced metrics such as Expected Goals (xG). These additions provided a deeper insight into team performance, allowing for more informed and precise tactical decisions – establishing it as one of the top Football Manager games for analytical gamers.

Players With More Freedom On The Field

• Release Date: November 8, 2021

In Football Manager 2022, the animations were revamped, separating 3D from the 2D engine, allowing for more freedom in creating animations. This change improved player movements, making actions more realistic. Additionally, the new game engine enhanced match AI, optimizing decision-making, such as when to dribble or pass, and introducing a more intelligent pressing system, marking it as one of the best versions for tactical diversity.

Another major addition was the new “Wide Centre-Back” position, allowing central defenders to play wider, supporting the midfield like full-backs. This brought more tactical versatility to the game, catering to different play styles and strategic needs of managers.

UEFA Competitions Arrive In SI Games’ Title

• Release Date: November 8, 2022

Football Manager 2023 brought a greater sense of occasion to UEFA competition days, with official branding and custom backgrounds enhancing immersion. European competitions now feature props, realistic trophies, and official anthems before matches.

For this edition, improvements were made to AI managers so that the tactical choices of other teams better reflected their qualities. Another focus was on team defense, with new instructions added, allowing more defensive formations to also achieve higher success rates, making it one of the best football management games for defensive strategies.

The Definitive Edition Of This Era

Over the years, SI Games’ engine has undergone various changes and enhancements, making Football Manager 2024 the definitive edition. Player animations in the 3D engine have become more fluid, while rewritten ball physics make matches more realistic for viewers.

Besides these changes and the addition of the Japanese League, another feature that pleased players was the new Set Pieces system, giving managers more control over how teams acted in free kicks, corners, and throw-ins, making these plays even more dangerous. This ensures it remains one of the top soccer management games for set-piece enthusiasts.

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