Addictive, Good Game, (Football Manager 2005 (PC))

Member Name: jpegington

Product:	Football Manager 2005 (PC)
Date:	22/02/06 (211 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good Game

Disadvantages: Not as easy to play as CM 97/98, Long Seasons

Technical Information:

Minimum System Requirements - Wind 98 SE, 2000 or XP
600 mhz Processor
128 MB Ram
Direct X 8.1
4 X CD-ROM Drive
1024 X 768 32bit Display
MS Compatible Mouse & Keyboard

Recommended Requirements:

1.8ghz Processor
256 MB Ram
8 X CD-ROM Drive


About the Game:

Now this is the latest Football Manager Simulation game from the original producers of the Championship Manager series (not sure why they have split up, but I was told that these are the guys from the original setup but changed the name to Football Manger).

Some of the capabilities of this game:

Media Spotlight - take the fight to your rivals and tilt the psychological balance of the football world into your favour

Total Tactical Control - Exercise control over your team's game, including their creative freedom, width and tempo.

Managerial Support - Advertise club vacancies for coaches, scouts and assistant managers.

Over 50 country leagues to choose from, with more that 5,000 possible manageable teams. To give you an idea of the size of the database, you have the possibility to work with over 250,000 players and staff.


ABOUT ME:

Now I must admit that I am the biggest fan of CM 97/98 (YEs i know that is ancient game from around 1997 but I think that is still the best Management simulation game ever - and I include this game in that as well.

I have probably bought every CM game at one point or other since CM 97/98 came out and have not found one that grips me as much, with such easy playability and gripping nature.

This game is however very good. I was beginning to get desperate and wanting to upgrade to the new players / updated teams in correct leagues and this game has been very enjoyable.

I will say more below about my thoughts, but I enjoy a managerial game which allows me to impact on what happens and gives you a clear idea of why something has happened (i.e. if you play without a goalkeeper you are going to leak goals, etc) which I have not found so much in other CM games since 97/98. This one does however allow you to get a clearer idea of what is happening and why.

MY OPINION:

OK, firstly, this is a good game with some excellent statistics for players, and is hard to play. Note that you will have to play this game and concentrate. You cannot just leave it to run by itself as you will get nowhere. So if you are looking for something easy, go elsewhere.

You really have absolutely tons to do here, firstly you can take charge of the First Team, the reserve team (although you can ask your assistant manager to take charge if you want), the youth team. You need to sort out new contracts, sign players, watch the finances, pick the team, etc.

One slight disappointment is how long it takes to play one season. I find that it can take a couple of weeks (if I play it a lot and correctly and try to win things) just to finish one season and that means it takes quite a long time to get anywhere, especially if you start at the bottom like I like to. It is therefore not a quick game and you will have to work hard.

I find that the playability is easy, this is now a simple game to navigate around (basically you want to see something then just click your mouse on it). I have used the backspace key to go back a window just like I would in IE.

The stats behind this game is amazing, there are so many players to choose and over 50 leagues which you can run. I find that my PC (which is only about 6 months old and reasonably top of the range) does not like to run much more than 3 leagues (The game does allow you to pick as many leagues as you want but the more you pick the slower the game becomes as it goes through all the league results). There is always a recommended amount of leagues which the game shows you (this is the optimal amount that your PC would be able to handle.

Note: This game does not like it if you come in and start to manage from the top (i.e. take over Manchester United or Real Madrid immediately). It is basically quite realistic in that an unknown manager would not be allowed and would not suceed there. Note this when you are playing, your supporters would not like you taking charge and there is a good chance that should you hit a slightly bad run that you will get sacked. You need to start this game at a slightly lower level and work yourself up an that takes time.

I personally do not find this game quite as good as CM9798 but it is by far the best version since then. It is easy to play, got all the latest data (ok not quite the latest data now as it is already been out a number of months, but it is from 2005), takes real managerial ability to get anywhere and is definetely recommended to anyone who likes football management games.

What else can I say, basically the graphics are good (after all it is only a management simulation game), it is very addictive and easy to play.

Verdict: 3 out of 5

Summary: Good Game