PC Critic Reviews

Copa City brings a refreshing take on football management by focusing on an aspect of the beautiful game that gets overlooked elsewhere. Planning and executing the matchday experience for a club and its city works fits snugly into the various sub-genres the game employs, but be ready to face a frustrating lesson or two if you’re playing on console.

Copa City stands out with its original concept and detailed micro-management, but a clunky interface and awkward controls often get in the way. Some mechanics also feel too shallow, especially when it comes to satisfying fan needs. Still, the combination of stadium operations, marketing, logistics and fan-zone planning can be rewarding. Fans of complex management games should give it a look, while those expecting a traditional football manager may be disappointed.

Copa City offered an unconventional concept but stumbled by being more complex than fun. A game focused on managing fanbases had the potential to appeal to both soccer fans and strategy enthusiasts; however, the difficulty involved in setting up routines—which quickly become repetitive—results in a game where the fun peaks early and fades just as fast.

Copa City wants to be a football manager where we manage everything but the actual match: fans, tickets, events. Sounds great, but is sadly hampered by odd design and interface decisions.

Copa City is a genuinely promising game that, through updates, could be great. The unique setting and interesting mechanics (once you figure them out) are let down by various bugs, poor - sometimes zero - explanation of objectives and game mechanics due to shoddy translations and poor design, and what does end up being a lack of replay value due to the one-match nature of the setting. Were this an early-access launch, it would be laudable that it's in the state it is. As a full launch, at £30, this is a wait and see.

If you're still craving that World Cup atmosphere, it looks like you're going to stay hungry for a while. Because Copa City isn't the game that's going to satisfy that craving. Then again, it's not exactly a finished game either.

Copa City has plenty of potential by combining sports games and management games into a unique experience. Unfortunately, it still falls short in too many areas. The tutorial is confusing, the gameplay lacks real depth, and the selection of licensed teams and stadiums feels sparse and somewhat thrown together. The voice acting is painfully awkward, and while the game looks decent, it never comes close to matching the quality of the genre's biggest management games. Some players may appreciate its straightforward approach and won't miss the added complexity, but Copa City ultimately feels like an empty trophy that could have been solid gold.