American Football on the PC 2022

Started by ArizonaTank, September 06, 2022, 10:20:42 PM

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ArizonaTank

Felt the itch to play some good old fashioned American Football on my trusty PC...

The old, old standard Madden seems to be universally despised these days, so I went on a search...

I found "Sunday Rivals" on Steam. An admittedly arcade football game, that did not set me back too far ($19). So far gameplay has been easy and fun. Even has "season mode."  I have not really played it enough to recommend, but after a few hours with it...I am feeling good about where it is going.

It would be nice to find a good game with an NFL or NCAA license...but that does not seem to exist...outside of Madden (NFL).

Any other thoughts on good PC based American Football games? 
Johannes "Honus" Wagner
"The Flying Dutchman"
Shortstop: Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-1917
Rated as the 2nd most valuable player of all time by Bill James.

Grim.Reaper

It depends on what type of American Football game your looking to play.  Based on the type of games you mention, I am guessing you actually want to control the players and such but I'll list most of them anyways in case another type interests you as well.  Just providing games that are still available for purchase as there are older games (i.e. Front Page Football) that would be on my list but you can't really purchase anymore and they might not fully work.  If I had to choose one from each category, I would say Madden for Arcade, Front Office Football for management (Pro Strategy right behind it with Draft Day coming along), and ActionPC for season replay (others good too).


Arcade Type

Madden - I know you indicated it being universally despised, but I actually enjoy playing it and this year's version is pretty good except with one issue.  Currently there is too many interceptions happening but I expect that to be patched.  Otherwise, pretty solid game in my experience.  Think people hate on the game since it really is the only fully licensed game that dominates the market and doesn't take huge new strides each year.  Can't wait until next year when they start releasing a College version again.

Axis Football - Tried a version in the past, you can control things but felt a little off from being a realistic american football experience.  New version coming out today, maybe it improves things

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2103640/Axis_Football_2023/

Football Simulator - Haven't purchased this one, but recently came out.  A little hesitant based on some of the feedback but maybe it turns into something worth trying.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1527500/Pro_Strategy_Football_2022/

Legend Bowl - In the realm of sunday rival football.  Decent game worth checking out.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2103640/Axis_Football_2023/


Management Simulators

Front Office Football - If your looking for more of a football management career sim, FOF has typically been known as the king.  Kind of spreadsheet like, but very accurate representation.  You manage a game, you don't control players.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/547900/Front_Office_Football_Eight/

Pro Strategy Football - If you have never tried this, highly recommend you do.  Comes with fictional teams but really good modders release all the seasons with names that turns it into real life stuff.  The new version is either coming out this week or next, really good game although has 80's type graphics.  You don't control the players but instead call plays and such.  Since you can't control players, This game is much lighter on the career side but some options.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1527500/Pro_Strategy_Football_2022/


Draft Day Sports Pro Football - Decent game, although not as fully realistic as FOF.  New version likely will be coming out in coming months.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1866710/Draft_Day_Sports_College_Football_2022/

Draft Day Sports College - I like it better than the pro game, new version just came out.  One of the few college games available.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2116250/Draft_Day_Sports_College_Football_2023/


Season Replay Games

ActionPC Football - One of my favorite games.  Realistic coaching experience and you can purchase all the seasons.  Little bit dated graphics but if you really want to coach, good option.  The same game can play both pro and college seasons.

https://dksports.com/football.htm

Second and 10 - Good game as well and comes with all pro seasons free and a bunch of college seasons.  More based on board game but plays really well.

https://www.secondandten.com/

Strat-O-Matic Pro Football - Some consider it the gold standard.  Solid game but doesn't tend to change much each year.

https://www.strat-o-matic.com/product/strat-o-matic-football-2022/

Strat-O-Matic College Football - Same comments as the pro version, you do have to buy separate version.

https://www.strat-o-matic.com/product/strat-o-matic-college-football-2022/

Data Driven Football - Interesting game and the author puts a lot of time in replicating stats.  Based on a board game and pretty dated looking, but still fun.

http://datadrivenfootball.com/pcgame.html

4th Street Football - Based on baord game and a number people enjoy.  For some reason could never wrap my head around it though.

https://4th-street-software.com/collections/football-computer-game

Inside the Blitz - Based on board game, another game that people seem to like but can't wrap my head around and not as full featured as others.

http://www.insidesportsgames.org/inside_blitz.htm

Inside the Blitz 5D20 - New version of football, same comments as the other.

http://www.insidesportsgames.org/5d20_football.htm

KyzBP

Grim pretty much hit the nail on the head.  I'd only add Axis Football 2023 (mostly made up of German, Italian and Japanese teams...kidding).  It should release today.  It's kind of like older Madden but is very modable and has a franchise mode.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2103640/Axis_Football_2023/

Grim.Reaper

Quote from: KyzBP on September 07, 2022, 06:30:22 AM
Grim pretty much hit the nail on the head.  I'd only add Axis Football 2023 (mostly made up of German, Italian and Japanese teams...kidding).  It should release today.  It's kind of like older Madden but is very modable and has a franchise mode.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2103640/Axis_Football_2023/


Yep, that was on my list too:)  Interested to see what they do with it this year as always seems on the cusp of being playable nd whether they change the franchise mode to be more NFL like, I believe in the past it had a European football type relegation system, unless I missed that being changed in the past.  I will be watching this one.

KyzBP

It looks like the career mode will have both NFL and Euro style seasons.  I'll wait a little bit and watch a let's play or two but I'll still probably pick it up for $20.

Grim.Reaper

Quote from: KyzBP on September 07, 2022, 07:58:14 AM
It looks like the career mode will have both NFL and Euro style seasons.  I'll wait a little bit and watch a let's play or two but I'll still probably pick it up for $20.

Excellent and if only $20, likely will pickup too....

Sigwolf

#6
From the management side, there is also Football Mogul.

https://www.sportsmogul.com/footballmogul.html

They've been around a while, and offer earlier versions for free on the website to try things out.

Also worth noting, all of their games are completely free for active military members, and 50% off for veterans.

edit to add:  There's probably a new version coming out within the next week or so.

Grim.Reaper

Quote from: Sigwolf on September 07, 2022, 09:09:20 AM
From the management side, there is also Football Mogul.

https://www.sportsmogul.com/footballmogul.html

They've been around a while, and offer earlier versions for free on the website to try things out.

Also worth noting, all of their games are completely free for active military members, and 50% off for veterans.

edit to add:  There's probably a new version coming out within the next week or so.

actually just received email today saying football delayed for at least a month due to an illness.  I agree it should be considered, although each version doesn't really advance much.  But certainly an option.

Old TImer

I haven't seen Pro Strategy Football mentioned yet.  Solid game with previous seasons
and college available.  $20USD

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1527500/Pro_Strategy_Football_2022/

EDIT:  Nevermind.  It was mentioned.  I, apparently, can't read.

Grim.Reaper

Quote from: gregb41352 on September 07, 2022, 12:07:55 PM
I haven't seen Pro Strategy Football mentioned yet.  Solid game with previous seasons
and college available.  $20USD

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1527500/Pro_Strategy_Football_2022/

EDIT:  Nevermind.  It was mentioned.  I, apparently, can't read.

Yep, but if going to buy, should wait as new 2023 version will be released tomorrow or next week.

Gusington



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ArizonaTank

Quote from: Grim.Reaper on September 07, 2022, 05:11:07 AM
It depends on what type of American Football game your looking to play.  Based on the type of games you mention, I am guessing you actually want to control the players and such but I'll list most of them anyways in case another type interests you as well.  Just providing games that are still available for purchase as there are older games (i.e. Front Page Football) that would be on my list but you can't really purchase anymore and they might not fully work.  If I had to choose one from each category, I would say Madden for Arcade, Front Office Football for management (Pro Strategy right behind it with Draft Day coming along), and ActionPC for season replay (others good too).


Arcade Type

Madden - I know you indicated it being universally despised, but I actually enjoy playing it and this year's version is pretty good except with one issue.  Currently there is too many interceptions happening but I expect that to be patched.  Otherwise, pretty solid game in my experience.  Think people hate on the game since it really is the only fully licensed game that dominates the market and doesn't take huge new strides each year.  Can't wait until next year when they start releasing a College version again.

Axis Football - Tried a version in the past, you can control things but felt a little off from being a realistic american football experience.  New version coming out today, maybe it improves things

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2103640/Axis_Football_2023/

Football Simulator - Haven't purchased this one, but recently came out.  A little hesitant based on some of the feedback but maybe it turns into something worth trying.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1527500/Pro_Strategy_Football_2022/

Legend Bowl - In the realm of sunday rival football.  Decent game worth checking out.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2103640/Axis_Football_2023/


Management Simulators

Front Office Football - If your looking for more of a football management career sim, FOF has typically been known as the king.  Kind of spreadsheet like, but very accurate representation.  You manage a game, you don't control players.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/547900/Front_Office_Football_Eight/

Pro Strategy Football - If you have never tried this, highly recommend you do.  Comes with fictional teams but really good modders release all the seasons with names that turns it into real life stuff.  The new version is either coming out this week or next, really good game although has 80's type graphics.  You don't control the players but instead call plays and such.  Since you can't control players, This game is much lighter on the career side but some options.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1527500/Pro_Strategy_Football_2022/


Draft Day Sports Pro Football - Decent game, although not as fully realistic as FOF.  New version likely will be coming out in coming months.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1866710/Draft_Day_Sports_College_Football_2022/

Draft Day Sports College - I like it better than the pro game, new version just came out.  One of the few college games available.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2116250/Draft_Day_Sports_College_Football_2023/


Season Replay Games

ActionPC Football - One of my favorite games.  Realistic coaching experience and you can purchase all the seasons.  Little bit dated graphics but if you really want to coach, good option.  The same game can play both pro and college seasons.

https://dksports.com/football.htm

Second and 10 - Good game as well and comes with all pro seasons free and a bunch of college seasons.  More based on board game but plays really well.

https://www.secondandten.com/

Strat-O-Matic Pro Football - Some consider it the gold standard.  Solid game but doesn't tend to change much each year.

https://www.strat-o-matic.com/product/strat-o-matic-football-2022/

Strat-O-Matic College Football - Same comments as the pro version, you do have to buy separate version.

https://www.strat-o-matic.com/product/strat-o-matic-college-football-2022/

Data Driven Football - Interesting game and the author puts a lot of time in replicating stats.  Based on a board game and pretty dated looking, but still fun.

http://datadrivenfootball.com/pcgame.html

4th Street Football - Based on baord game and a number people enjoy.  For some reason could never wrap my head around it though.

https://4th-street-software.com/collections/football-computer-game

Inside the Blitz - Based on board game, another game that people seem to like but can't wrap my head around and not as full featured as others.

http://www.insidesportsgames.org/inside_blitz.htm

Inside the Blitz 5D20 - New version of football, same comments as the other.

http://www.insidesportsgames.org/5d20_football.htm

Great stuff Grim!!!  Yeah, I do kind of like actually controlling the players. But also sometimes want to let the computer take over. League play is somewhere I want to go as well. Coaching is kind of interesting well.

Having said all of that, I am kind of interested in the strat-o-matic options. Also, thanks for the thoughts on Madden. Also, I like all of the pro and college season data available for ActionPC Football.

Anyway, some really great thoughts!!!  Thanks!!!
Johannes "Honus" Wagner
"The Flying Dutchman"
Shortstop: Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-1917
Rated as the 2nd most valuable player of all time by Bill James.

ArizonaTank

Quote from: Sigwolf on September 07, 2022, 09:09:20 AM
From the management side, there is also Football Mogul.

https://www.sportsmogul.com/footballmogul.html

They've been around a while, and offer earlier versions for free on the website to try things out.

Also worth noting, all of their games are completely free for active military members, and 50% off for veterans.

edit to add:  There's probably a new version coming out within the next week or so.

I like that they are providing so much historical data. Also, the vet discount is not bad for me either.
Johannes "Honus" Wagner
"The Flying Dutchman"
Shortstop: Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-1917
Rated as the 2nd most valuable player of all time by Bill James.

Toonces

You have to take that Madden criticism with a large grain of salt.  If you're a casual (like me) you're not going to notice 95% of the griping.

I bought the latest version, but haven't played it; waiting to get the big main PC set back up.  But honestly, the '08 version on my Xbox gave me tons of entertainment!  Bottom line: if you want to get playing football, and don't want to stress, Madden is a great place to start.  Ignore the haters.
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solops

Sorry guys, but I cannot stand Madden football. For a long time it was the cream of the crop and I bought it continuously, but then they went video game. The last great Madden football was Madden '98. Now I play Action! PC football. If you like the video game style, I have no clue what is good.
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