Best Text-Based Sports-Sim Series of All Time

[Abe Sargent]

So what is your favorite!!!!! What's the best series of all time?

[SirFozzie]

1. Football manager The oldest, and the best. 25+ years of games
2. OOTP. Another series that has survived the test of time, while it still has some issues, it's miles ahead of any other baseball sim out there.
3. FOFC Great series of games, but its text sim roots really show at times, much less "accessible" then the other two games.

3 really awesome games mind you.

[BYU 14]

All great sims, but there is still quite a distance between Football Manager and the rest of the field IMO.

[JonInMiddleGA]

FM is the gold standard, hands down, zero question in my mind.

[Izulde]

I'm voting DDS: Pro Basketball here, probably because basketball is my favorite sport, which just gives it the edge over Football Manager for me personally.

I still think OOTP never recovered from their SI move. Great for publicity and sales, but the game got worse the first version after 6.5, and has stagnated since then.

FOF is great, but I'd put it a step below DDS:PB and FM.

[CrescentMoonie]

FM is obviously the standard bearer. FOFC has progressed nicely over the years. OOTP is a waste of time and money at this point.

[dawgfan]

FBCB and FBB. I've spent more time on this series than any other combined.

[MIJB#19]

My favorite isn't the best and vice versa. But my vote had to go to FOF. It's the only one, albeit just in multiplayer-mode, I keep playing and want to keep playing.

[Young Drachma]

Honestly, I haven't gotten over the promise of FPS Baseball. But in terms of sheer replayability, Baseball Mogul was the thing that got me really into text sims. OOTP solidified it and FOF was a nice addition, even if i don't know football like that.

Fast Break College Basketball probably my #1, though. Just in terms of depth and relative ease. FM is obviously the king of the roost otherwise, even as it's very frustrating at times.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

Honestly, I haven't gotten over the promise of FPS Baseball. But in terms of sheer replayability, Baseball Mogul was the thing that got me really into text sims. OOTP solidified it and FOF was a nice addition, even if i don't know football like that.

Fast Break College Basketball probably my #1, though. Just in terms of depth and relative ease. FM is obviously the king of the roost otherwise, even as it's very frustrating at times.

My dream scenario is a sim basketball universe that combines the engine, trading, and UI of DDS:CB/DDS:PB with the recruiting, ease of use, and customization of FBCB/FBB.

[OldGiants]

I've played all three over the years and enjoyed them all. If you are talking right now, which game is best, then:

1) OOTP by a long way now

2) FOF8 even if outdated, it is not all that outdated compared to FM.

3) FM was the standard bearer, however it came up lame in version FM14 and has done nothing to recover. I'm not tempted to buy/play it any more now.

While FOF needs an interface overhaul, FM needs a game engine overhaul based on modern statistical input. They need to junk the hideous morale-based system which has irked me from the get-go. There is a load of new statistical data out there, and they need to get that incorporated fast.

[OldGiants]

Originally Posted by Izulde

My dream scenario is a sim basketball universe that combines the engine, trading, and UI of DDS:CB/DDS:PB with the recruiting, ease of use, and customization of FBCB/FBB.

Yes, that would work for me, too. Fast Break is simple to play, however I've gotten it 'figured out' so it is no longer as interesting. I bought the recent version of DDS Pro ball, and while the lack of a manual hurt, I'm starting to enjoy it again.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

FM is obviously the standard bearer. FOFC has progressed nicely over the years. OOTP is a waste of time and money at this point.

Pretty much me, too, with the caveat that I love and understand American football so much more (and I stick with my view that it structurally makes for the perfect management sim) that I am way, way, way committed to the FOF series.

I have loved the CM/FM series when I have played it, but nothing "gets" me like FOF, not even close.

[EagleFan]

My ultimate would be a combination FM and FOF where you could see the game unfold in front of you (ala FBP back in the day).

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Izulde

I'm voting DDS: Pro Basketball here, probably because basketball is my favorite sport,.

I will say Gary is pushing for inclusion in this list as the last two versions of both his BB games are amazing.

[lcjjdnh]

FBCB

[Sweed]

1. OOTP for me. Grew up playing Strat in the late 60's to the late 80's. Back then I'd have settled for a game that would keep stats and standings as I never dreamed a game would have players age, retire, replaced with a draft, and all of the history kept for the league.

Everything else is a distant second as my available gaming time has been directed to other things. Having said that I often think about the others and trying to make time for one or two.

2. FM I'll put at 2 even though I don't think I'll play it again. It's so time intensive for me as I have to watch my complete matches. I know if I grew up in Europe watching football it would be number 1. It is the reason I am a football fan that's a hell of an accomplishment for a computer game

3. FOF8 I still spend time with it and like the direction Jim took with it.

4. DDSPBB I haven't even tried the new game with it's team building IE making sure guys fit well together. But my last version before was very good and I think this is maybe where I should go as the idea is intriguing. Then I think of the time sink and will I actually find the time to play it once I have it?

5. FBCB It is so good at what it does and sucks me in with it's simplicity that really isn't simple at all.

[Groundhog]

FM 2014 had me hooked for awhile, but the magic has worn off for me with that series. Feels a lot less scientific and more RNG than it used to.

For sheer hours played, FBCB is a clear #1 for me. I haven't touched it in awhile because of the big guy issue (too many low ins/shot high rebs PF/Cs who average 4ppg and 10rpg). The latest Draft Day Sports College game is pretty solid and my fave DDS game to date, although I'd prefer the recruiting in the offseason was monthly to make it less of a grind.
I think the fact that NBA 2K has a pretty decent sim engine has dampened my enjoyment of text sims in general though.

[tarcone]

I dont understand FM. But I bet it would be great.

I picked OOTP. Love that game and series.

[MrBug708]

FM by far. I get that it's difficult for people and I don't feel like they've done that much but I also can't see arguing for OOTP for those exact same reasons