Football Manager 2022 Mobile test: in progress, but stuck in the soft underbelly of the championship

A few days after the test PC version of F, we turn to the mobile version. Presented as " compact, but without compromise “, it must make it possible to find the flavor of the PC game by simplifying many aspects so that the gameplay is more “ instantaneous ". A substitute that does not spoil the pleasure?

Football Manager 2022 Mobile test: in progress, but stuck in the soft underbelly of the championship Read ConclusionFootball Manager 2022 Mobile

Clear and pleasant interface
Many tactical options
Five playable nations at once
Substantial database

No soundscape in match
Few interactions with players
Very partial licenses
Strange transfer management

Test carried out from the Android version of the game using a code provided by the publisher. Football Manager 2022 Mobile was officially released on November 9 on Android and iOS.

Imagined by the Collyer brothers, the Football Manager franchise dates back to 2004 and even much further if we take into account the Championship Manager versions, its predecessor. Over time, the game's database has become a reference in which many enthusiasts participate. The management options, the tactical settings are as dense as they are numerous and a game generally advances at a mouse step for anyone wishing to invest a minimum. The mobile version therefore promises to greatly simplify things by reducing the airfoil at all levels, but keeping the essentials.

The world is completely football

At the launch of Football Manager PC version, we have the choice between a “classic” career, the creation of our own club, an online career or the Fantasy Draft mode. If we find the “classic” career and the possibility of creating your own club, the mobile version then offers what the developers call “challenges”. Seven in number, three of which are paying (0,99 euros each), these missions place us in a delicate situation and force us to raise our heads before the end of the championship: struggle to maintain, many injured starters, difficulties major financial...

These challenges can be interesting options, but the heart of the game remains of course the career and at this level, the first interesting novelty, it is now possible to select up to five playable nations – out of a total of 25 – for the part. All the major world championships are involved and, in most cases, several divisions are even present. Unfortunately, Football Manager 2022 Mobile suffers here from a larger licensing problem than its big brother and the Premier League is, for example, only very badly represented: the names of the players are correct, but not the jerseys, the competitions or logos.

It's not a disaster, especially since many countries benefit from better representation, but it clearly harms immersion. SEGA does offer to download an additional player photo pack for free, but this does not apply to all leagues. It would then be necessary to modify the game as it is done on PC and if it remains feasible – with the famous packs of logos, outfits and photos – it is less simple. Never mind, it does not prevent you from playing. We therefore select five nations, create a character and give him control of a club before starting the game.

Unsurprisingly, the developers have kept the color code of the PC version and the general interface, although much simpler, is rather pleasant. The cartridge on the left of the screen brings together the essential functions without the need for a magnifying glass to identify the icons. The menus and sub-menus to access the different clubs and championships are obviously a little restrictive, but we get used to it fairly quickly and it rarely takes more than a few clicks to find the information we are looking for... except perhaps in transfer management, which is clearly the weak point of the game.

First, it is not always easy to properly manage the search for players and the reports of our recruiters. The comparison between the players is also not obvious because of the lack of responsiveness of the interface compared to the mouse. The developers have however added a direct comparison option between two players, but, precisely, it only manages two players at a time. Finally, and this is undoubtedly the biggest criticism that can be made of the game, the demands of the clubs - even for second-rate players - are mind-blowing with departures that only happen five or six times the value of said player.

The pass lacks a bit of depth

More generally, the management aspect of the club is less advanced than on the PC version and this is felt in particular in the definition of tactics. The mobile version here is less fine, less precise, but we nevertheless take our hat off to the studio which allows a lot of fantasies in the organization of defensive withdrawal or set piece shooters for example. The management of the staff is more anecdotal and it is the information returned to the player that seems the most bland. The most striking examples are the medical center and the novelty for 2022 on PC – the data center – which have no mobile equivalent.

Throughout the season, we receive many emails to keep us informed of the evolution of the situation, but, again, everything is faster, less detailed than on the PC version. Sign which does not deceive besides, the progression of the days is much faster. On a regular basis, our coach is called upon to respond to certain subjects, such as when the press questions our ability to continue an impressive series of victories. However, there too, the PC version is more complete, more advanced… perhaps even too much in the eyes of some who criticize the frequency of press conferences.

JVFR

The tactical management is rather complete © Nerces

On the mobile version, nothing like that. We should perhaps find a balance between a PC version that is a little too talkative and a mobile version that passes too quickly on many subjects. We also regret not being able to act more regularly on the behavior of our players, to congratulate or reprimand them if necessary. An even more palpable lack when the match begins. No pre-game chat to try to motivate the troops, no intervention during the game to encourage our proteges and nothing either at the end of the game to express our disappointment.

JVFR

The rendering of the matches is "clean", but also very austere, without any soundtrack © Nerces

In reality, during the match, the player is ultimately very passive and he only has to bring in his substitutes when he feels the moment is coming and to review the general tactics. We have a little the impression of being a spectator of the meeting while the PC version gives us more the opportunity to participate. Finally, and this is not negligible, the rendering of matches is sad on mobile. There is not the slightest atmosphere in the stadium, it is to believe that we are playing in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, as with the oldest Football Managers, we put the pressure on ourselves and the lack of atmosphere is less felt.

Compared to the PC version, there are also oddities over time. So, as long as you behaved well during the season, the transfer window can become a nightmare. In question, endless solicitations despite the “not for sale” status defined for many players. We also regret that our proteges tend to take the big head by making requests for new contracts a little too systematically. Nothing likely to spoil the pleasure of the fans, but it helps to give the whole a "small game" aspect not always well finished which clashes with the reputation of the license.

JVFR

Football Manager 2022 Mobile, l'avis de JVFR

As always, it is very difficult for us to advise the purchase of the 2022 version for those who already have the previous version. Football Manager 2021 Mobile is still doing the job well and the few new features this year do not encourage you to renew the expense. Now, to respond to the specific interest of this mobile version compared to the PC version, we will say that SEGA blows hot and cold.

The interface is satisfactory, the ergonomics are correct and we find our little ones without getting lost in multiple sub-menus. On the other hand, the sides are neglected. It is more difficult to mod the game than on PC to compensate for the lack of many licenses. More embarrassing, it is the matches that are lacking: we will not go back over the lack of 3D representation, but the sound environment is non-existent and we feel no "control" over the match, no chat, encouragement or big anger. Less lively, less engaging than its PC counterpart, Football Manager 2022 Mobile is very honest entertainment.

Football Manager 2022 Mobile

Simpler, more instantaneous than the PC version, Football Manager 2022 Mobile is an interesting entertainment that allows you to progress much faster than on PC. On the other hand, you have to give up on many management elements and you lose control over the team as well as over the matches.