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Football Manager 2018 (for PC)

 & Matthew Buzzi Principal Writer, Hardware

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This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

Match Engine

The 3D engine in simple, but your team is capable of pulling off some very nice-looking plays.

Tactics

Change your formation, overall philosophy, and player instructions from the tactics screen from a large variety of options and combinations.

Team Instructions

Choose from more conservative or aggressive overall styles, and then get more specific with instructions for when your team is in and out of possession.

Highs and Lows

During matches you'll experience the joy of dominant victories and crushing defeats from late goals.

Dynamics

The new squad dynamics feature shows which players wield the most influence and what social cliques have formed.

Injuries

One of your best players suffering a long-term injury can be very frustrating, so it's up to you to monitor their work load and give rest as often as possible.

Staff

Like players, staff members have attributes that determine their effectiveness in various positions.

About Our Expert

Matthew Buzzi

Matthew Buzzi

Principal Writer, Hardware

My Experience

I’ve been a consumer PC expert at PCMag for 10 years, and I love PC gaming. I've played games on my computer for as long as I can remember, which eventually (as it does for many) led me to build and upgrade my own desktops to this day. Through my years at PCMag, I've tested and reviewed many, many dozens of laptops and desktops, and I am always happy to recommend a PC for your needs and budget.

The Technology I Use

The single piece of technology I use the most (by far!) is my self-built desktop. I spend a lot of my time gaming (and now, working) on this system, and I’m likely to continue upgrading it in some form forever. As it relates to my work at PCMag, it’s a vital window into keeping up to date with components, performance, and the latest titles. On the smartphone front, I’m a full-time Android user.

I’m always eyeing my next GPU upgrade, but the consistent part of my gaming setup has been a 165Hz 1440p monitor; I think this remains the sweet spot for the time being. A dual-monitor setup has been essential for work and play; my second screen is either a productivity monitor, playing videos for entertainment, or being used for console gaming, depending on the time of day.

Speaking of which, I may be primarily a PC gamer, but (like any good gaming enthusiast without enough discipline) I also own a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series S, a Steam Deck, and a Nintendo Switch 2. The PS5 and Xbox are hooked up to a living-room television for a more laid-back couch experience; I've found Gamepass to be especially handy for cooperative play and for taking my saved-game files from my desk to my couch through the cloud.

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