Football Manager 2023

The main pros of the game

• Depth of Gameplay: The game offers unmatched tactical and managerial depth, allowing players to engage in detailed scouting, player development, and strategic planning.
• Immersive Experience: Players feel a strong emotional connection to their teams and the journey of building a squad, especially when achieving long-term goals like winning the Champions League.
• Improved Systems: Features like the Recruitment Focus and Squad Planner enhance the management experience, making scouting and team planning more intuitive.
• Realism and Complexity: The game simulates realistic footballing outcomes based on player decisions, with a match engine that provides actionable feedback and analytics.
• Community and Replayability: A thriving modding community and various challenges keep the game fresh and engaging over long play sessions.

The main cons of the game

• Steep Learning Curve: New players often find the multitude of options and systems overwhelming, making it challenging to get into the game without prior experience or guidance.
• Repetitiveness: After several seasons, some aspects of the game can become repetitive, particularly in player interactions and press engagements.
• Match Engine Issues: There are occasional quirks in the match engine, including odd player behavior and unrealistic outcomes, which can frustrate players.
• UI and Bugs: Some users report a cluttered interface and various bugs that can disrupt gameplay, leading to a less enjoyable experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Visual and UI Improvements: Many players desire better graphics and a more streamlined user interface to enhance the overall experience.
• AI Enhancements: Users have pointed out that the AI could be improved, particularly in terms of decision-making during matches and player transfers.
• Injury Management: Some players express dissatisfaction with the frequency of injuries and the limitations on substitutions, suggesting a need for more flexibility in managing player fitness.
• More Dynamic Gameplay: Suggestions for more engaging and less predictable match outcomes indicate a desire for a more dynamic and responsive game environment.

Summary

• Overall, while Football Manager 2023 is praised for its depth and immersive experience, it faces criticism regarding accessibility for new players, repetitiveness, and certain gameplay mechanics that could benefit from further refinement.

Summary generated on: November 17, 2025