From Minecraft to Grand Theft Auto via Elder Scrolls and Call of Duty, popular PC Games come in all shapes, sizes and genres but while it is the ‘shoot ’em up, knock ’em down’ variety which makes the headlines, there is a huge market for those frustrated coaches among us who believe we can do a better job than the guy in the dugout or on the bench of our favorite team.
So, whether you’re in to replicating the strength and pace of a football field or prefer the more genteel sound of leather on willow in a keenly fought game of cricket there is a game to suit all tastes. If you’re feeling slightly bewildered by the sheer number of games out there, allow us to ease your workload and recommend three which you can enjoy from the comfort of your sofa.
Madden 22
With the 2022 NFL season due to kick off next season let’s start with Madden 22 which has added a couple of features to enhance the gamer’s experience.
Homefield advantage attempts to recreate the atmosphere inside the stadium with a momentum meter – the idea is if you score it will push the momentum towards your team and unlock perks like increased stamina. Each home team has its own perks designed to replicate their history and atmosphere.
The accurate roster means you can try to emulate your heroes and do the things they cannot. The Cincinnati Bengals lost in the Super Bowl, their fourth loss, last season but fans are not expecting success this season; they’re rank outsiders in the current Coral NFL odds but with you calling the shots maybe they could finally win their first Super Bowl. It won’t be easy of course but with the game being so realistic and your elite coaching Madden 22 can help dreams come true!
Super Mega Baseball 3
Baseballs’ very own gamer series! The latest edition allows you do so much more than before with a franchise mode giving you more control and more leeway in how your favorite team is run.
You get to play about with the roster over a few seasons, deal with the salary cap and cope with players as individuals and not just names and pixels on a screen. You’re able to actively work on a player’s skills, for example a pitcher’s speed, and even sign free agents to boost your chances.
Why not take on the challenge of leading unfancied Pittsburgh Pirates to their first Super Bowl since 1979? With five wins seven appearances the Pirates boast one of the best records but the last 40 years haven’t been easy for their die-hard supporters and ESPN feels it could be another season of struggle.
Perhaps. But, from the comfort of that living room, maybe you could be the one to turn their fortunes around and have the Pirates find that elusive treasure!
Golf With Friends
Less US Open golf and more mini golf, Golf With Your Friends does what it says on the lid – lets you hook up with your friends, or strangers online, and offers you a number of different courses ranging from out in the desert to deep underwater to chance your arm.
And the best bit is – none of them long walks between shots or scrambling around the grass looking for another lost ball. Each course boasts 18 holes and tests your patience more than your actual golfing skills as you fight all sorts of obstacles to pot your ball in the hole.
Or a basketball hoop if you fancy fiddling with the settings! And the best thing about this game? It will appeal to keen golfers looking to have some fun and keen gamers with no interest in the game!
Football Manager
We’re not talking football in the strictest sense here; Football Manager 2022 is a soccer management game, but it is essential for fans of the sport, even here in the United States.
It’s the most comprehensive guide to the game anywhere on home computer, and ahead of the FIFA World Cup this winter, it’s a good place for new fans to lose themselves. There are literally hundreds of leagues and thousands of teams for you to manage, from MLS to the Premier League, from Latvia to Mexico.
Each has the accurate roster and tactics of the clubs in the division, and it can act as much as a learning tool as anything. Many US soccer founds have found the club they now support thanks to Football Manager; why don’t you try it for yourself?