This post was created as part of Nexon PEAK activities.

The online football game FC ONLINE is a good fit for fans who want to build a team with their favorite players, as well as players who want to take control and compete on the pitch. You can bring the players you support into your own team, with different ways to enjoy the game depending on your interests—from building a squad to controlling the action yourself.

​

To be honest, I don't know much about football myself. I couldn't explain complex tactics; it's more that I like whichever team Son Heung-min is on. So what I look for in a football game is simple, too. First and foremost, I want to know whether I can play matches with players I know and like.

​

With that beginner's perspective in mind, I looked through the official information and put together a guide to who might enjoy FC ONLINE.

If this sounds like you	Features to explore	Why I recommend it
You have a favorite player, such as Son Heung-min	Signing players and building a squad	You can build a team around your favorite players
You want to learn the controls at your own pace	AI matches in KICK OFF	You can choose your opponent’s difficulty level while you get used to the game
You are interested in player positioning and tactics	Ranked Manager Mode	You compete against other club owners using your team selection and tactics
You enjoy competing with direct control of the action	Ranked 1vs1 matches	You make the decisions about passing, shooting, and defending
You want to play a football game with a friend	Friend invites in KICK OFF	You can enjoy 1vs1 matches with someone you know

If, like me, you think of your favorite player first, I'd suggest planning a team around them. You could build a South Korea team with Son Heung-min, or bring together players from his time at Tottenham. His profile in the official Data Center lists his club career, including Tottenham.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all Son Heung-min player cards are the same. You'll need to compare stats and prices across classes and enhancement levels. Rather than aiming for the most expensive card right away, it may be easier to start with one you can afford with the BP you have. You can check each player’s stats in the ​Data Center on the official website.

If you don't know much about football, figuring out how to fill the rest of your team can feel daunting. You can plan your lineup with the Squad Maker on the official website, or look at other users’ squads for ideas. I'd probably choose Son Heung-min first, then fill the positions around him. Having even one favorite player gives you a clearer starting point for building your team.

​

Still, putting a team together and playing well are two separate things. Even if you recognize the players’ names, you'll need to learn when to pass and which player to move when defending. If that feels intimidating as a beginner, I'd suggest looking at KICK OFF mode first.

In KICK OFF, you can choose your AI opponent’s club and difficulty level. You can also access basic skills training through the controls tutorial. With national team Quick Squads, including South Korea, you can try matches with a complete team before signing players one by one. These national team Quick Squads can be used in designated parts of the game, including KICK OFF and Custom Hub.

​

For someone like me, who is unfamiliar with both football and the controls, this seems like a better way to start. You can try linking passes together and taking shots, then see which parts you enjoy. Worrying about rankings from the start could make everything you need to learn feel more complicated.

If you prefer thinking about player positioning and tactics, Ranked Manager Mode is worth a look. You compete against other club owners with the squad and tactics you've put together, without controlling the players yourself. That reduces the pressure of handling the controls, but you're still competing against other users in the rankings. It seems well suited to people who enjoy figuring out how to manage their team.

If you'd rather control the match yourself, Ranked 1vs1 matches would be a better fit. You face an opponent and decide whether to pass, keep dribbling, or attempt a shot. Players who enjoy practicing the controls and improving their skills will probably find this option more appealing.

There is also an option for people looking for a game to play with friends. In KICK OFF, you can use an invite code to play a 1vs1 match with a friend. Picking your favorite teams and facing each other is reason enough for a match. If you're just learning, playing a few matches with someone you know and talking through the controls together could be a good approach.

​

The people I'd most readily recommend this to are those like me: people who don't know much about football but have a favorite player. Planning a team around Son Heung-min and learning more about familiar players one by one seems like reason enough to start. From there, if you enjoy controlling matches yourself, you can work on learning the controls. If building a team appeals to you more, you can spend your time putting a squad together.