Do you play Football Manager on iPhone, iPad or Mac? Then this article is for you. Sports Interactive has shown what FM27 Touch brings, the version for Apple devices that launches on 10 November. On iPhone, the interface has been rebuilt from scratch. There is also redesigned recruitment, Match Preparation, Tactical Tweaks and the return of cup draws.
Where and when FM27 Touch launches
FM27 Touch arrives on 10 November on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. As we reported in our article on FM27 gameplay, it is the Apple Arcade version. So if you already have FM26 Touch, you do not need to do anything: on that day, the game’s App Store page turns into FM27 Touch on its own.
However, SI warns that visuals may vary depending on your device. On the other hand, the article says nothing about price or other stores. The full version for iOS and Android phones, FM27 Mobile, gets its own article, which SI says is coming soon.
A new interface on iPhone
This is the biggest change. On iPhone, the whole interface has been redesigned from the ground up, to make better use of space and keep navigation simple. Screens have new layouts, and text and button sizes have been refined. Likewise, the tactics menus and the match day screens have also been improved.
The FM27 Touch portal, with messages, news and fixtures (Image: Sports Interactive)
On iPad, Mac and Apple TV, the change is more subtle. SI combined player feedback with its own reviews and refined the navigation for each device. For example, Mac and Apple TV get extra layout tweaks.
Clearer recruitment in FM27 Touch
First, SI has redesigned three screens: the Player Database, Player Recommendations and Recruitment Focuses. So the key information is right there from the start. Budgets are also easier to reach, and everything works better with both touch and controller.
Recruitment Focuses in FM27 Touch (Image: Sports Interactive)
There is also the new «Find Similar Players…» search. For example, it helps when your star player leaves or when you need to replace a veteran. At the same time, your backroom staff give live advice during negotiations. As a result, your offers are more logical and in line with the market.
Match Preparation and Tactical Tweaks
Match Preparation also comes to Touch. Before each match, you get a message and build up to three sessions: In Possession, Out of Possession and Set Pieces. What is more, it works for both club and international management.
Then, on match day, the engine has better visuals and a smoother flow of action. Tactical Tweaks also arrive, changing team or individual instructions without leaving the action. Meanwhile, Shouts have been markedly improved: they give more context to instructions and work on the players’ mindset, with more emotive reactions.
Tactical Tweaks, without leaving the match (Image: Sports Interactive)
Finally, after the final whistle you get Pass and Heat Maps, to see what worked and what did not. SI has also improved how goals and trophy lifts look.
Cup draws are back
Cup Draws are back in Touch. Better still, you choose the speed: you can race through the draw or slow it down and enjoy the suspense.
A cup draw in FM27 Touch (Image: Sports Interactive)
There is also a first for players in Southeast Asia. Indonesian becomes a playable language, for the first time in the Touch series. As on console, it makes sense, since Indonesia won the first Football Manager World Cup.
What comes next
FM27 Touch launches on 10 November, the same day as the full PC version and FM27 Console. Meanwhile, SI will present FM27 Mobile in a separate article. For the rest of the news, see our roundup of what is new in FM27.
Our take
FM27 Touch looks like the version that changes the most this year, especially on iPhone. An interface built from scratch for a small screen was a long-standing request from mobile players. On the other hand, Match Preparation, Tactical Tweaks and the similar players search bring Touch closer to the PC game. However, it remains to be seen how it all runs on older devices, since SI itself warns that visuals may vary. Even so, the return of cup draws shows attention to detail.
Sources
- FM27 Touch: New Features, New Possibilities (footballmanager.com)
