Let me start by saying how much I have loved football manager over the years. I have been buying it year on year for aslong as I can remember! It's a truly magnificent game and I hope I can tell you why in this review :)

---------- previous years -----------

Football manager has been progressing year on year and every year they have added new functions and fixed bugs very quickly to keep up with its fans wishes! The company who produces the game are always wanting to know from its fans what they want added to the game in the future. I feel this has lead to it being a great game to come back to each year because it feels more tailored to the user. They have also struggled in the past with making the game realistic! Players would leave clubs and do things they would never do in real life. Also transfer fees and wages have been an issue, but this year it's just got better!


------- FM 2012, my first impressions -------

It the past couple of years football manager has been run on a programme called steam. Steam is an online programme that installs the game onto an online account so you will never lose it. There have been countless problems in the past with steam and I was hoping that this year we would not have to use it again. Unfortunately this year there is no option. You must use steam to install the game, this means you have to have an Internet connection to install the game. This is a shame becaus some people were unable to do this. They say that once the game is installed via steam, you will not need an Internet connection. I have had countless problems with the new game, due to steam wanting to update and then crash, leaving me without access to the game until I sort steam out! It is very frustrating and I have just had to put up with it, this takes noting away form the quality of the game, just adds a little frustration when loading up the game.

When I finally installed the game, I was so happy to see a slightly new layout on the home screen, you still have the usual options of a network game and a career. It just looks fresh and modern. I then commenced to start a new career. Obviously I chose to be manager of the best team in the world CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB. :) I was impressed with now the screen looks on the game, it's all organised nicely. Not much has changed since last year, but it all looks better placed and more worked on.

------ new features ------

At first, new features are not very noticeable, it's not until you start the game do you notice them. This year you can add new leagues from around the world during your career! You can also remove leagues, I think this is a great addition because it simulates real life a lot more because top managers move between leagues. It means you can go round the globe and try to win as many different trophies as you can!

Contract negotiations are now more realistic, agents are more involved and so are you. You have more control and you can now actually lock in certain parts of the contract so the agent knows you will not be going any higher, this means that you can negotiate more and you can have more power in wages and bonuses. I think there is a much more realistic feel to contracts.

They have also updated there match engine, there are a few more camera angles such as one behind the goal! It's a lot better and clearer and the actual play is much smoother to watch. In previous games it was almost painful to watch the sticks run around a pitch, this year you can make out certain players and it's far more realistic in terms of what really happens in a football match. You can really see the difference compared to football manager 2011.

Also when conducting a team talk or when talking to the press of players you can adopt different ways of speAking, such as angry, passionate. Etc! I think there are 8 tones you can take with when you speak. It adds more variation in the way you get your points accross. Also pre match scouting has changed as is far more comprehensive than in the past!


-------- Best bits ---------

I think the best bits are the actual players. There has been real attention to detail and most of the players are at a similar level to what they are I'm real life. Also the transfer system is far more exciting and challenging. It's harder to sign players in the January market and all the modern challenges a manager has to deal with.

Communication with players is key because if you dont praise or support them they will want to leave the club. The best thing to do is too keep an eye on every players morale. It's so hands on and it is far more of a challenge! Gone are the days where you could sign top class players, they would fit into the team straight away and you would win the league without talking to the press, players and changing tactics. The game is far more dynamic and things need to be seen to before every match!

The scouting system is great and if you set it up well enough you can search for top young wonder kids and blood them into your first team quicker. What I find is the more effort you put into the game, the more effort you get out. I am Chelsea and in my 7th season. It took me 3 years to win a trophy and refresh the aging squad. I signed the best young talent and now I have won the league 2 years on the spin and won the champions league! It does take a long time to be successfull! But it's worth it I feel.

The tactics are also in much more depth, so you will find it hard to find th correct balance for your team! It's about trial and error and that's very realistic :)

It is still as addictive than ever! I can spend hours on this game wondering where the time has gone! I do feel the game has improved since last year and last years game was excellent!

------ The bad bits -------

It is very rare for me to say this abut a game, but I don't think this game has many faults at all! Apart from needing steam to play it I feel they have produced an excellent all round game!

One thing that dors annoy me a little bit is the fact that some players, such as Daniel strurridge, have not been made to be good, it is frustrating when you know a player is better than they are in the game and there is not much you can do about it! But I am sure that next year they will be better!


------- Cost --------

I paid £30 when this first came out, but you can pick this up now for £15 online. It's well worth the money! You will not regret buying it. I would pay more for it! That's how much I love this game.


----- suitable for who? --------


This game is perfect for any footy fan or gaming fan out there who loves the game and loves a challenge. It passes the time and will make you addicted like me! I recommend Ths to adults and teenagers. It's a bit hard for younger kids! :)


------ overall --------

This game is excellent and a real triumph. Please give it a try. I know you will love it!


Thanks for reading :)