Football Manager 2017

There’s little to fault here and that's because SI Games takes the iterative approach. Whilst there hasn’t been a big shift on the game's workings since tactical sliders were removed in FM 2014 each version is a step forward.

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Take control of your favourite football team in Football Manager 2017, the most realistic and immersive football management game to date. It’s the closest thing to doing the job for real!

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Play Modes

Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,270 reviews

graphics14 positive mentions

optimization4 negative mentions

The match engine has improved significantly, making gameplay more realistic and enjoyable.
The game offers a vast database of players and teams, providing endless hours of gameplay.
The addition of social media features adds a new layer of immersion to the managerial experience.

Many players experience unrealistic results, such as dominating matches but still losing to weaker teams.
The game suffers from frequent crashes and bugs, making it frustrating to play.
There is a lack of significant new features compared to previous versions, leading to feelings of stagnation in the series.

graphics
80 mentions
18 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have seen some improvements, particularly in the 3D match engine, with players and animations appearing more realistic than in previous versions. However, many users still find the overall graphical quality subpar compared to other sports games like FIFA, and some express disappointment that the graphics have not evolved significantly over the years. While the aesthetic enhancements and smoother interface are appreciated, the focus remains on gameplay rather than visual fidelity, making it clear that this is a management simulation rather than a graphics-driven experience.
- “The graphics have improved on last year, there is a lot more varied animations, there's a lot of new ways to interact with players off the pitch, there's the addition of a social media feed which can be entertaining if you give them a read, and the most positive part, is that it's still the same old football manager game I know and love.”
- “Crispier graphics – they have improved the graphics a bit during matches and the players are more clear and just look better.”
- “This is the best version since 2014 (by a mile), and the first game I ever enjoyed playing with 3D graphics (I always liked to keep with the original CM with just using text commentary).”
- “I don't like the way the in-game graphics haven't really evolved for at least 5 years.”
- “I can confirm that this is the worst one so far; it is all going downhill since the implementation of these 3D graphics they keep on 'improving'.”
- “The graphics in the game look terrible; it's a streamlined version and all the player values are for whatever reason at least double what they should be.”
gameplay
59 mentions
17 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it addictive and enjoyable, while others criticize it for being monotonous and plagued by bugs and broken mechanics. Many users express disappointment over the lack of significant improvements compared to previous versions, particularly in the match engine and player behavior, leading to frustrations with gameplay consistency and realism. Overall, while there are some positive aspects, such as improved graphics and new features, the gameplay experience is often marred by issues that detract from its potential.
- “After 1,500 hours and counting of gameplay, here are a few thoughts.”
- “Gameplay: 9/10: it's really addictive, especially when you're playing with your favorite teams or climbing up from the bottom.”
- “The intelligence of both opposition managers and all the players has been improved and there are subtle positive tweaks to all the core mechanics that improve the overall experience.”
- “Player movement and the gameplay in general are still very boxy, and the physics are from Jupiter.”
- “The gameplay did not feel that much better than FM2016.”
- “Ice skating players on the match engine and terrible goalkeepers kill all immersion, and the gameplay is a weird mix of over-the-top simulation about every aspect of football imaginable, combined with the players on the pitch utterly ignoring everything you do.”
humor
28 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as a mix of absurdity and frustration, with players finding amusement in the unexpected and ridiculous moments that occur during gameplay, such as comical errors and bizarre player behavior. While some players appreciate the game's quirky sense of humor, others feel it can become tiresome, particularly when it leads to frustrating outcomes like forced losses. Overall, the humor adds a layer of entertainment, even if it sometimes borders on the absurd or annoying.
- “Some of the complaints really are hilarious.”
- “For example - when I first started playing, I was seeing the most absurd behavior from my players; daft goalkeeping errors including 'hilarious' own goals, ridiculous backpasses, stupid defensive howlers, players running head-first into opposition defenders to sloppily concede possession, incredible open-net misses, endlessly hitting the woodwork... the list goes on.”
- “Football is a funny old game and more often than not the unexpected happens.”
optimization
26 mentions
12 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players noting improvements in graphics and UI, while others report significant performance issues, including lag in menus and slow gameplay even on high-performance hardware. Users have expressed frustration over the game's inability to handle complex scouting reports and occasional bugs, particularly on Mac systems. Overall, while there are enhancements, many players feel that the game is hindered by optimization problems that detract from the overall experience.
- “Gradually though the mists clear, the many complexities and subtleties of the interface reveal themselves to the bemused learner, and even I begin to understand how to improve my performances on the field.”
- “It's now abundantly clear that performance is reliant on effective deployment, both individually and collectively; for instance, having your entire back four set to an attacking mentality spells trouble.”
- “The introduction of a 64-bit version means performance has dramatically improved.”
- “Game has too many performance issues and has become unplayable due to lag in menus.”
- “Have not even finished a full season with only 27% of the world scouted and the scouting menu freezes up because apparently there are too many scout reports for it to handle... I'm using a medium-sized database which was a 4-star performance rating based on my CPU, but the game is running so slowly.”
- “Mac users as well will not benefit with FM17 as the game runs poorly due to a poorly optimized game with the in-game menu, from 2D classic to 3D match engine.”
stability
21 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of crashes, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Many players feel that the game is unfinished, citing problems with the match engine, scouting menus, and AI behavior, leading to frustration and a sense that the developers have not adequately addressed these technical shortcomings. While some acknowledge that patches may improve stability over time, the current state is described as a "horrible buggy mess" that significantly impacts gameplay.
- “They don't care about this game, it's buggy as hell and if you invest time into it, and there is a technical glitch they will say 'sorry you should make multiple saves just in case' pretty much because they can't be bothered to actually make a game that saves properly the way every other game manages to in this day and age.”
- “I've been playing FM since 2012, and this is the first one that has so many glitches in-game and crashes. Honestly, it doesn't seem like a finished product because of the many times it fails.”
- “It crashes, freezes, and sometimes just won't load.”
story
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that the narrative lacks originality and often feels predetermined. While some appreciate the potential for emergent storytelling and the ability to craft their own narratives, others express disappointment in the repetitive nature of the storylines across versions. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game offers some engaging elements, it struggles to deliver a compelling and fresh narrative experience.
- “The editors are great for crafting your own story.”
- “The match engine is enjoyable again, match days are more involved, pertinent information is easily accessible and well presented, the potential for emergent storytelling is alive and well.”
- “There are too many coincidental instances of 'storylining' where outcomes seem preordained.”
- “Playing the beta version of 2017, it's the same old story.”
- “If I knew the story earlier, I wouldn't buy this game.”
music
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has been criticized for its absence, with players noting a lack of background music and commentary, which contributes to a feeling of silence during gameplay. Many users express a desire for more engaging musical elements, such as team chants and witty songs, to enhance the overall experience.
- “Remember how the best music ever was made when you were 17-21 years old?”
- “This is a good game; however, I would like music on it as sometimes it feels a bit silent.”
- “No commentary, no sound, no background music.”
- “If we don't keep up, we end up at the fair listening to our Madchester musical heroes in grey beards.”
- “"Drums of Mordor" at Bayern Munich arena, chanting team names, witty songs, etc. are all missing.”
replayability
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's exceptional replayability, rating it 10/10 due to the ability to manage various clubs globally and experiment with different tactics. While some acknowledge flaws in the game, many find it significantly more engaging than its predecessor, suggesting that the depth and variety contribute to its lasting appeal.
- “The depth of the game is fantastic, the graphics are improved, and it has great replay value.”
- “Replay value: 10/10! You can play with almost every club in the world, which makes it really awesome to try different tactics with the same squad or become a manager on the other side of the world.”
- “FM16 has its flaws, but it is infinitely more playable than FM17.”
- “FM16 has its flaws, but is infinitely more playable than FM17.”
- “If I were going to give a game a bad review on Steam, it would be due to stability issues, lack of replayability, or just poor gameplay. It boggles my mind that the majority of reviews (about 66%) are negative.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game includes the introduction of advertisements, which some users find intrusive, particularly noting the presence of ads from Valve during matches. While the game builds on the success of its predecessor, the integration of ads has received mixed reactions from players.
- “Well, first screen of the match and new advertisement boards, and that's it...”
- “Then I got ads from Valve FM 2017!!!”
- “It builds on the success of FM16 and adds new things.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users express mixed emotions regarding the game's emotional impact, noting that while the redefined match engine and customizable features enhance engagement, certain frustrating elements detract from the overall experience.
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the current grinding mechanics tedious and believe that the interaction with media requires significant improvement to enhance the overall experience.
- “I do think the way you interact with media needs a huge overhaul; it's tedious at the moment.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by the social feed, which, while not groundbreaking, contributes positively to the experience. The emphasis on interactions and club management creates a fitting and engaging environment for players.
- “The social feed is not a revolution, but it does add some atmosphere, and the overall extended focus on interactions and club management feels just right.”