Retro Goal

About

Retro Goal is an arcade-style soccer game with single-player mode, featuring spectacular game mechanics and excellent visuals inspired by 16-bit classics. Recruit your dream team, manage their skills, and take control on the pitch with modern touchscreen controls. However, expect a lot of grinding and some bugs as you aim for victory in your favorite leagues.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,224 reviews

gameplay160 positive mentions

stability11 negative mentions

gameplay
307 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The gameplay is generally praised for its simplicity and fun mechanics, reminiscent of retro games like Retro Bowl, making it easy to pick up and enjoy. However, many players express frustration with certain mechanics, such as dribbling and defensive controls, which can feel clunky or unintuitive. Additionally, the game's monetization model, requiring payments to continue playing after a limited number of matches, detracts from the overall experience for some users.
- “The on-pitch football gameplay itself is a joy.”
- “Gameplay is great - really enjoying the in-game and team management side of the game.”
- “The gameplay is fun once you get the hang of it, and for being an offline game, it's amazing.”
- “The gameplay is horrible, it doesn't distinguish when I want to dribble vs when I want to pass/shoot.”
- “Game mechanics literally designed to screw you, no room for error and if the CPU even touches the ball on the other side you're done on offense.”
- “The gameplay doesn't have realistic dribbling, very bad management and app organization.”
monetization
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
31%
30%
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the absence of ads but criticizing the heavy reliance on microtransactions for player upgrades and team improvements. While some users feel that the game can be enjoyed without spending money, others argue that the mechanics are designed to push players towards in-app purchases, leading to perceptions of it being a cash grab. Overall, the lack of ads is a positive aspect, but the aggressive monetization tactics have left many players feeling frustrated.
- “The dev has talent at making addicting games and the fact there are no ads and you pretty much have the full game for free is marvelous.”
- “No ads, which is awesome and the full price is very reasonable.”
- “I have already played many seasons, and I have never needed microtransactions.”
- “Feels like a cash grab where you have to spend money to even play the game outside of 10 games.”
- “You cannot play without constant microtransactions even after buying the full game at these rates.”
- “The economics of the game are completely set up for you to eventually fail, making it a cash grab.”
graphics
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
39%
8%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the retro pixel art style and its nostalgic appeal, likening it to classic titles like FIFA 96. However, some users criticize the graphics as being subpar or lacking in detail compared to its predecessor, Retro Bowl. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered enjoyable and fitting for the game's theme, there are calls for improvements in clarity and responsiveness.
- “The biggest strengths are the updated graphics from Retro Bowl and the more in-depth management needed to maintain a good team.”
- “Great retro style graphics and good UI.”
- “Highly addictive gameplay, simple but nuanced controls and fantastic retro graphics.”
- “First, the graphics are horrible and it's really hard. If you want to change the difficulty, you have to pay money and get good players, but that's when you're in a good club like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. If the opponent is on your side, the game stops.”
- “The graphics are terrible; Retro Bowl's graphics are 10 times better.”
- “Graphics are pixelated and poor.”
music
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
41%
18%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its cheery and nostalgic 16-bit sound reminiscent of retro soccer games. The menu music, in particular, is highlighted as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience, prompting some players to dance along. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant draw, contributing to the game's enjoyment and replayability.
- “I love the retro 16-bit music; I grew up playing the Mega Drive, so this was awesome to hear.”
- “The music is great and very nostalgic.”
- “The menu music is a banger.”
- “The music alone will have you coming back for more.”
- “Solid gameplay, non-intrusive monetization, cracking soundtrack.”
- “I especially love the music and feeling of retro soccer games!”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as issues with scoring and unexpected app behavior. While some players enjoy the game when it functions properly, the prevalence of technical problems detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration. Overall, the game is engaging but suffers from significant stability issues that need addressing.
- “Really enjoy this game when it works but it's buggy as anything.”
- “It shows always that they score nonstop and every time I score perfectly it shows that I miss every time and for me it always glitches and I got to a point that it made me have to pay just to play a free game.”
- “Game is great but glitches when I try to exit and wipes out my apps and folders from my Android phone's wallpaper.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the game features a significant amount of grinding, which some players find tedious and frustrating, especially if they prefer not to spend real money on in-game purchases. However, others appreciate the challenge and sense of progression that comes with grinding, particularly those with an old-school gaming background. Overall, the grinding aspect is polarizing, appealing to some while deterring others.
- “The game is extremely grindy and annoying to play.”
- “There is no point in grinding out games just to have to pay money for players.”
- “The game is tedious if you don't want to spend real-world money.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
13%
25%
Players consistently highlight the game's strong replayability, noting its quick match format that allows for multiple games in short sessions. The combination of charm, strategic depth, and varied gameplay elements contributes to its high replay value, making it a favorite among users eager for future updates from the developer.
- “Great game, great replayability value, I can't wait for more releases from this developer.”
- “Game has a bit of everything: charm, management and play depth, in-game strategy, replay value... very awesome.”
- “Quick matches so you can get a couple of games in during lunch, and plenty of replayability.”
- “Quick matches so you can get a couple of games in during lunch, and plenty of replayability.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players noting that it consistently elicits laughter and enjoyment, even amidst challenges. Many find the comedic elements well-developed and integral to the overall experience, making the game both entertaining and addictive.
- “Brilliant fun, I keep on laughing and smiling my way through every win and loss.”
- “Very funny, totally worth it.”
- “Funny and well developed.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of frustration and emotional investment in the game, highlighting issues with control and gameplay mechanics that can lead to feelings of helplessness and disappointment. Despite these challenges, some find moments of joy and wholesome fun, indicating that the game can evoke a range of emotions. Overall, the emotional experience is marked by both frustration and enjoyment, reflecting the game's impact on players.
- “And you can't even play; this made me cry.”
- “This game can make you emotional.”
- “Good, wholesome fun!”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The reviews suggest that while the game's story is engaging, there are opportunities for improvement, such as adding customization options and gameplay features that enhance the narrative experience. However, some comments appear to diverge from the main topic, making it difficult to gauge a cohesive perspective on the story itself. Overall, the narrative seems to be a mix of personal reflections and gameplay elements, indicating a desire for deeper storytelling integration.
- “For Retro Bowl, it's a whole different story.”
- “The narrative feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to engage with the characters.”
- “The story is predictable and fails to offer any meaningful twists or depth.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The optimization in the game is criticized for its poor income/expense ratio and the lack of full game simulation, which can hinder strategic planning. Additionally, players suggest that mobile controls could be improved for a better user experience. However, the core challenge of team management and player morale is appreciated.
- “All you need to do to avoid getting beaten by the stronger teams is simply saving up enough buxs to hire the best coach, and by that you'll improve the performance of your non-star player.”
- “You can't simulate full games, and the income/expense ratio is poorly optimized.”
- “My only feedback would be to make the controls slightly more optimized for phones.”
- “I like the challenge of managing your team, keeping their morale up so they're more efficient and leveling them up to increase performance.”