Top 9 football video games to enjoy in 2022
If you are a die-hard fan of any sport, but can't play it for real for whatever reason, rest assured there is a digital version of it for you to play from the comfort of your room. Football, or soccer as it is known in the USA, is no different, and because of its sheer global popularity, you are spoiled for choice in terms of number of games. With these games covering nearly every platform from PC to consoles to smartphones, you can rest easy knowing there is always a title for you to play.
With the FIFA World Cup 2022 now in full swing, indulge in the hype with these 9 games, which both footballs fans and non-fans can enjoy:
FIFA 23
The first name that comes to mind is the iconic FIFA series which has been produced by EA SPORTS for two decades. This year EA brings fans FIFA 23 which will include the World Cup as a game mode instead of releasing a standalone title timed around the Qatar tournament. Not only will FIFA 23 include the men's 2022 World Cup but also the Women's 2023 World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand next year. For PC and console, FIFA remains the undefeated champion.
eFootball
Previously known as Pro Evolution Soccer internationally and Winning Eleven in Japan and North America, eFootball is a series of association football simulation video games developed and published by the Japanese developer Konami. Although the game has lost its popularity over time, its latest release was eFootball 2023 in August 2022. One advantage of the game is that it is free to play and it is a good alternative to FIFA.
Dream League Soccer 2022
In this game, you can create your own dream team and take the field against some of the world's strongest clubs. This game has made great progress over the years, especially in terms of graphics making it more immersive. However, there are some hiccups. The injury rate is high, until you can customise a good team winning might be a long shot, some might argue that the commentary is not up to the mark, and that the silent crowd makes the game a little boring. Nevertheless, you can play this game offline on your mobile and challenge yourself to build a team with strong players.
Football Drama
In this delightfully humorous Demigiant PC game, real-time strategy and deck-based card battle games gameplay collides with football. The players take the role of an existentially challenged manager named Rocco Galliano and are charged with improving the situation of struggling club Calchester United.
You will frequently converse with the club's owner, the media, criminal organisations, and even the house cat. All facets of the management journey may be positively or negatively impacted by the decisions taken during these discussions. If you strike a deal with the mafia to throw a game and the news gets out, you can find yourself facing a rabid mob at your door.
Behold the Kickmen
Imagine creating a football game without understanding what the sport entailed. PC game Behold the Kickmen is precisely that. The frantic soccer simulation reinvents football by keeping the essence of the game intact. This humorous game pokes fun at football's obsession with gaming elements like 'more kicking' and 'doing goals.'
To keep it interesting, there is a fascinating story mode in which the game is transformed into a bloody dystopian sport. Perhaps the only thing missing in the game is the lack of a multiplayer option. Behold the Kickmen, however, is a cheap, entertaining independent game for non-football aficionados who want to make fun of themselves by playing a soccer game.
Soccer Royale: Clash Football
Soccer Royale: Clash Football has succeeded in making a football game eccentric. You compete with other members of your clan in this strategic online football game. The gaming experience is enhanced because of the excellent graphics. You can either join an existing club or start your own in Soccer Royale: Clash Football. Additionally, you can chat with other players in the game, which adds to its intrigue and excitement.
World Soccer Champs
In World Soccer Champs, the camera angle and intentionally out-of-date graphics remind us of earlier soccer games. The objective is to lead and manage the team to success. You will need to use swipe controls to pass, dribble, and shoot. This game features more than 100 leagues and cups. Even though there are in-app purchases, the game is free to play. The fantastic arcade game, World Soccer Champs will keep you glued to your smartphone for hours.
Super Mario Strikers
Following Super Mario Strikers for the GameCube and Mario Strikers Charged for the Wii, Mario Strikers: Battle League is Nintendo's third try at a Mario soccer game. The core gameplay in Mario Strikers: Battle League, which takes the franchise to the Nintendo Switch, can be a lot of fun for a quick and not-so-realistic match.
Ten Super Mario characters are featured in the game, and they compete on a field. Soccer in the Mushroom Kingdom is not exactly as simple as the real-world game, like other Mario sports games. Similar to Mario Kart, the Mario Strikers heroes can use items to defeat opponents. They can also fire strong Hyper Strike shots, which have an outrageous animation and almost always result in goals for two points.
Tiki Taka Soccer
Available on iOS, Android and Windows Phone, Tiki Taka Soccer takes us back to basics. If you have the ball, you can pass it to another player by tapping on them or shoot by swiping. If you do not have it, you can swipe for a sliding tackle or tap on another player to take it off them.
The game is not as complex as most other games, however, that is the beauty of it. Under the soft green pixels of the game, there's an incredible amount of expertise. Being able to see everyone at all times is essential for playing well. You might only have a brief window of time with the ball before it is taken away. Before you even get it, you will need to know where you want to pass it. It takes practice and time to learn the game and once you learn it, it can make for a joyous experience.