I am no expert at valuating the ME, far from it in fact, As for pure gameplay experience any version with the sliders are my favourites in regards to actually coaching the team and setting up tactics and playing on match day. Probably more daunting to learn but once you got the hang of it so much more control.
Now this is a really bad example of how i feel the newer ME's work but hopefully you get the gist. Its like rock paper scissors , the only choices you get are what colour to use. To me it feels like they have dumbed down the ME to be less intuitive and more rigid as it knows its playing rock papper scissors and only need to know how to do these things. I just cannot get the level of control over the tactics than what I have when using sliders. (Yes i still play versions using sliders)
The introduction of sideline shouts and having to use them as part of your base tactic was flawed (example , i had a winger that was world class dribbler and the only way I could get him to dribble down the right wing was to use the touchline shout) along with getting rid of the sliders killed the game for mine. I used to buy every version up until 2015 after that it lost me and -played 2012 mostly.
Dipping my toe into the water with 2020 version all though still early days (only 2 months into my first season ) I wont be buying 2021. Having said that i really do like some of the features the game has now, like being able to save tactics per individual player in a particular position, the communication with players seems better fleshed out , The graphics engine is a bit of a let down after not playing for 5 versions
This is just my opinions and not any factual statement
edit: To Answer the question , 2010 from a matchday experience. Actually 2010 version with all the new non tactic features would be brilliant.
What year is the best version of football manager?
in Football Manager General Discussion
Posted · Edited by Jarmel
I am no expert at valuating the ME, far from it in fact, As for pure gameplay experience any version with the sliders are my favourites in regards to actually coaching the team and setting up tactics and playing on match day. Probably more daunting to learn but once you got the hang of it so much more control.
Now this is a really bad example of how i feel the newer ME's work but hopefully you get the gist. Its like rock paper scissors , the only choices you get are what colour to use. To me it feels like they have dumbed down the ME to be less intuitive and more rigid as it knows its playing rock papper scissors and only need to know how to do these things. I just cannot get the level of control over the tactics than what I have when using sliders. (Yes i still play versions using sliders)
The introduction of sideline shouts and having to use them as part of your base tactic was flawed (example , i had a winger that was world class dribbler and the only way I could get him to dribble down the right wing was to use the touchline shout) along with getting rid of the sliders killed the game for mine. I used to buy every version up until 2015 after that it lost me and -played 2012 mostly.
Dipping my toe into the water with 2020 version all though still early days (only 2 months into my first season ) I wont be buying 2021. Having said that i really do like some of the features the game has now, like being able to save tactics per individual player in a particular position, the communication with players seems better fleshed out , The graphics engine is a bit of a let down after not playing for 5 versions
This is just my opinions and not any factual statement
edit: To Answer the question , 2010 from a matchday experience. Actually 2010 version with all the new non tactic features would be brilliant.