Football Manager 2005 (Football Manager 2005 (PC))

Member Name: ScottyBoy.

Product:	Football Manager 2005 (PC)
Date:	01/04/05 (457 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: excellent game

Disadvantages: Addictive!

Surely football management simulations cannot get any better than the highly acclaimed Championship manager series? Well already just have, with the Introduction of the latest version of Football Manager 2005.

I am a football fanatic and the prospect of managing my team, Chelsea is both a compelling but rather addictive experience. This has been thanks, over the past three years to Championship manager. Never did I think there would be a better series, never has just happened.

Football manager has the backing and involvement of SI Games, those behind Championship Manager and it is for this reason that may justify why I have so easily taken a liking to the game.

One continuous disappointment with Champ manager was the speed – slow. Not with Footy manager, as this gives you the opportunity to continue playing the game whilst the game completes processing tasks. This is a great advantage and makes looking for a disadvantage within the game a complex task.

The user interface is a dramatic change from Championship manager, although everything the same is there, such as easy links to news, transfers etc. they have been re-arranged and although this does take some getting used does prove to a worthwhile experience as navigation is easier. However, behind the superior body is the same Championship manager soul, with very similar news wordings and commentary within the game using the exact same phrases.

The playing of matches provides a more valued experience, with the option to control the speed of highlights and commentary, not just overall speed. The simulator also allows for the split screen action so you can watch highlights whilst also viewing another aspect of the game, such as overview. You also have the ability to view past match highlights and other game highlights. So, you can remind yourself of the wonders of a game played three months ago with full highlights or just the goals.

Player pictures have been incorporated within profiles so you can actually see who you are buying! Whilst this is a useful additional it includes only a small selection of players and appears not to include any Chelsea player (damn!). The profile options do still allow a player comparison, which does prove a vitally important tool.

Other features worth mentioning are the new job board, where you can advertise for vacancies, such as a coach. Media interaction is also very good, with the opportunity to comment on a future or past fixture, enabling you to wind up, say, Alex Ferguson claiming you will beat Man utd, no problem! Of, course this claim can either motivate players (have great confidence) or de-motivate them (feel that you are over confident and expect too much from them).

The game comes complete with an informative user manual, although if you have previous football manager or Championship manager experience, I would advise just getting stuck in and getting to learn the new interface. Does anyone actually read user manuals anyway? Unless you get stuck of course! An editor is also included on the disc allowing anyone inclined to cheating able to create or modify players so you can have the best team in the world from the of. But, in my view, that just defeats the game.

Football Manger. Superior football simulation. Addictive football simulation.

Best price at the moment: www.play.com (£17.99).

Summary: