Football Manager 2006 Review

By Kristan Reed Published 13 April, 2006

Feed the addiction.

Version tested: Xbox 360

To paraphrase the great Bill Shankly, Football Manager is a simple game made complicated by people who should know better.

Ever since Sports Interactive's formative years, Football Manager's inherent simplicity has always been its irrepressible charm: pick a team, choose the tactics, watch the drama unfold, and then spend hours, weeks, months trying to find a successful formula to bring glory to your underachieving, overpaid slackers.

You'll scour the lower divisions, raid the overseas market, meddle with the starting eleven, experiment with youth prospects and spend an awful amount of time doing so.

But you know all of this - or at least you should do by now. Of course, in the intervening years you'll know that SI has gradually made this simple, fun process a little more complicated, fleshing out the influence of the media involvement, contract negotiations, inter-manager psychology, not to mention the role played by the back room staff, your reserve and youth team, and how you deal with injuries.

All of this makes it a breathtakingly involving, life-sapping journey into a fantasy football world that - once you get into it - becomes a desperately difficult addiction to remove yourself from. It also means the game itself has to have a pretty good, intuitive interface to cope with the myriad submenus, and as far as the PC/Mac versions are concerned, it's about as good as it can be. Controlled with a mouse, it's second nature within about five minutes, and feels every bit as intuitive as navigating around your average home PC.

Glumpad

'Football Manager 2006' Screenshot thorne

Peter Thorne. Nice lad, rubbish at scoring for Norwich.

Translating all of this onto an Xbox 360 joypad, however, is a different story, and the first hurdle that even experienced old hands will have with FM 360 is working out how to navigate the rabbit warren of sub-menus that exist in the game. Although it's something you'll definitely get used to within an hour or six (if you're as ham-fisted as we are), there's a pretty steep learning curve to adapt to the new system.

Rather than simply port the game straight over and give you a cursor to guide around, SI has gone down the route of mapping basic common commands to all portions of the joypad - but it's a system that you'll flounder around haplessly with, unable to pull of some of the most basic commands. In its defence, SI could have gone down the road of doing a console version with all the dumbing down that this entails, but what you get here is the full FM experience - only one that demands a little patience with getting used to.

Generally, years of console use has meant that when using an Xbox, we're hard-wired to 'confirm' with the A button, or go back with the B or Y button, and so on, but FM's system disregards all of that to go for a system where there's never really a consistent way of simply confirming something - at least not consistent within the bounds of general game design that we're used to. For example, the left trigger takes you back to the previous page you were on, right takes you forward to one you may have flicked away from, and the two 'bumper' buttons bring up a variety of intricate sub-menus that tidy away goodness knows how many commands and even more sub-menus.

The face buttons are all entirely context sensitive, so if you're on the player profile page, for example, you have the choice to check out their country of origin, so pressing B (in your mind, the back button) actually takes you onto their national squad page - not something you really expect to flick to. Pressing X, meanwhile, brings up their transfer/contract status. Slightly bizarrely, nowhere on the profile page is their goals/appearances/average rating stats, unless, that is, you go to the full squad page and cycle between all the various (hugely detailed) information screens with the d-pad. The problem is, this isn't something that's exactly intuitive, and you can play the game on a basic level for hours without even knowing how to access some of the fairly basic screens - or rather, how to get the most out of them.

Come to my aid

'Football Manager 2006' Screenshot 1st

Norwich 1st? Ah, we can dream.

There is an in-game help system that gives plenty of in-depth info, but - to be honest - trying to use it with the joypad is a surprisingly fiddly business that doesn't really address the fact that you're having issues even finding basic things, making you wonder why the game doesn't include a control tutorial right from the word go - as that's the thing that's far more likely to hold you back, rather than, say, the finer points of contract negotiation. You can use a USB keyboard to assist with general text input (such as on player searches), but, my god, the sooner Microsoft does the decent thing and lets people use a mouse, the sooner we can get over these silly issues that would otherwise not even exist.

Once you've circumnavigated the numerous control issues that you almost certainly will experience to begin with, the game's every bit as good as the PC original. The game speed is definitely up to scratch, and match-result number crunching takes no more than about 15-20 seconds on most match days, and for most of the time the 360 does a fine job. We say 'most of the time' because when you're busy flicking between the numerous emails that come in every week, there's a strange tendency for inexplicable delays to occur as you try and cycle through each message. It's no biggie, but you have to wonder why on Earth it happens on such a powerful console, processing little more than text.

Obviously, one thing the 360 version offers over and above the original is a whole bunch of Achievements to go for - and in this case it's a whopping 50 (the maximum Microsoft allows, apparently). Some are basic (win a match, get a clean sheet, etc), but most are incredibly challenging indeed, offering awards for special feats such as double hat-tricks, buying a 30 million pound player, winning 20 cup competitions and completing 30 seasons. As unrealistic as these might be for casual players, they at least provide some sort of long-term challenge for the real obsessives. Gaining all 1000 points will be a massive achievement, for sure.

HD-error

'Football Manager 2006' Screenshot training

Meddling with training isn't the most fun you'll have with the game, but all five billion PC features are here to explore.

One disappointment, though, is that the 360 version doesn't take full advantage of the acres of space on the screen when playing it in high def. With widescreen a standard feature, it's strange that you still have to cycle through multiple pages somewhat arbitrarily. Basic things like player info profiles miss out all manner of pertinent information that we swear used to be standard years ago, but now gets placed elsewhere, on pages you're not necessarily going to visit. We realise that the main concern was to make sure the game was playable on the worst 14" portable TVs around, but it'd be even nicer to know that there's more of a benefit for playing on the best displays. Admittedly, the game does fit more information if you're in high def, but it doesn't go far enough.

Elsewhere, the game's Xbox Live features are certainly a welcome inclusion, offering basic league and cup match-ups that can be played ranked or unranked for up to 16 players. Playing identically to the single-player matches, the one major benefit is being able to shout abuse at your opposite number via the headphones during matches. Usefully, you can actually export your single-player team and use it for your online matches, which is bound to create all manner of interesting grudge match encounters once you've had a chance to really carve out a team in your own image. The one major drawback, as ever, is that you're forced to wait around quite a bit, with opponents able to make tactical tweaks and pause the action mid-flow. Apparently there is a time limit, though, so it shouldn't ever prove that irritating.

On the whole, we had a thoroughly engrossing time with Football Manager 2006. Yes, the interface does leave a lot to be desired, no it's not very intuitive at all, but we'd rather endure a steep learning curve than have to play a watered down version of the game that cuts corners and removes key features simply to feel more accessible. We'd definitely suggest that Sports Interactive has a rethink about the controls the next time this comes out on a console, but it's definitely a step in the right direction, and a massive improvement on its previous Xbox versions. Putting such moans to one side, the main thing to remind yourself is that - for the first time ever - you can play a no-compromise football management game in the comfort of your lounge. As long as you're prepared to spend some time grappling with the unfamiliar control system, Football Manager 2006 is likely to become welded to the innards of your 360 for months on end. To further paraphrase the words of Shanks, the genre has two great games: Football Manager 2006 on PC/Mac and Football Manager 2006 on Xbox 360. Fans of the beautiful game can pretty much discount everything else for the time being.

8 / 10

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Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (50) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Carlo #1 6 years ago

    LOL@the gooners not getting into Europe

    /hasn't got a clue

  • krudster #2 6 years ago

    Clearly!

  • HairyArse #3 6 years ago

    Isn't it Ron Greenwood and not Bill Shankly that you should be paraphrasing Kristan mate? :)

  • Furbs #4 6 years ago

    Nope, was Shanks :)

  • HairyArse #5 6 years ago

    Oh in that case I stand corrected, it's just I'm sure I remember reading somewhere recently with a similar quote attributed to Ronnie G. :S

  • morriss #6 6 years ago

    I knew it, kruds an Arsenal fan. Explains a lot!

    Worth £50?

    EDIT: ;)
    Edited by 1 at 13/04/06 @ 16:47

  • HairyArse #7 6 years ago

    Aaah well I'm sorta right. Ron Greenwood apparently said that :

    "Football is a simple game. The hard part is making it look simple."
    Edited by 1 at 13/04/06 @ 16:50

  • krudster #8 6 years ago

    Nah, am a Norwich season ticket holder, which is tough when you live in London. Even tougher when you have to put up with the shite we have this season.

  • Kay #9 6 years ago

    To me, FM/CM has always been a PC game. I can imagine it'll somehow feel weird playing it on a couch with a joypad.

    On the PC though it was ideal, it could be regarded as just another spreadsheet program, albeit one that's extremely addictive. On the 360, though? I can understand that SI are trying to widen its appeal, but still.

    K

  • Mr_Brown #10 6 years ago

    Excellent. Looks like I'll be finally picking this up then. Can get it cheap for the PC but I've waited ages for a good managing game you can play with the comfort and accessablity of a console.

    I'll be even more addicted to this when Arsenal win the champions league! :p

  • krudster #11 6 years ago

    I doubt you'd have to ever pay £50 for it unless you shop at the least competitive retailers ever. It's worth £40 if you're really into any of SI's other games and just want one you can play in the lounge for a change.

  • coojam #12 6 years ago

    surely, surely, SURELY the obvious thing woulda been to bundle a usb mouse with this game?? if they did a straight port, but still charged £50, losses in giving away a mouse would surely be tiny....just a thought.

  • morriss #13 6 years ago

    Yeah, I actually meant £40.

    Are the players up to date as of Jan 31st?

  • krudster #14 6 years ago

    Yeah, all the signings are up to date.

  • krudster #15 6 years ago

    Bundling a mouse would make zero sense, because the 360's not compatible with them.

  • morriss #16 6 years ago

    Anyone want my FM2006 for the PC? £10 and it's yours. :)

  • Furbs #17 6 years ago

    morriss - I'll have it - call it quits on our "wager" then? (unless Spurs get 3rd of course!).

    I'll send you an email when I get back from my parents? (Unless of course you are looking to raise immediate funds for FM that is!)
    Edited by 1 at 13/04/06 @ 17:01

  • Scientist #18 6 years ago

    "Nah, am a Norwich season ticket holder..."

    Can we ever trust this man's judgement again!?! :-)

  • morriss #19 6 years ago

    I don't know if you've spoken to Miles et al from SI, but are player updates going to be dl'able from Live in the future?

    How did LIVE work? Smooth? No lag?

  • morriss #20 6 years ago

    Furbs. Done.

    Did I mention it was another £10 in P+P?

    :D

  • Furbs #21 6 years ago

    Heheheh bargain :)

  • krudster #22 6 years ago

    Lag? Not really. But the actions of your opponent dipping into menus obviously affects the flow.

  • afray #23 6 years ago

    If the signings are up-to-date, how come Gabbadion and Thorne are still at Cardiff?

    Eh?

  • Furbs #24 6 years ago

    I think they're just stock photos, probably before the database was updated by SIGames.

  • krudster #25 6 years ago

    Mainly because those are the only screenshots Sega has released (from back in September), and we can't take them ourselves.

  • Furbs #26 6 years ago

    By one second \o/

  • afray #27 6 years ago

    You have appeased me with your Facts.

    Continue.

  • morriss #28 6 years ago

    Still would like to know about future updates. I'll just ask them, though. :)

  • Miles_SI #29 6 years ago

    /me waves at Morriss

    There won't be player updates for FM2006 on X360. We only do transfer updates from the January transfer window, and as the game has come out after this, the update is included.

    What we're trying to do in the long term (although please note the use of the word "try" as this is certainly far from confirmed and is dependent on how dev goes) is release future X360 releases pre-Xmas, with transfer updates as free as we're allowed in Feb after the window.

    For what it's worth, I agree with the review - once you're used to the control system, it's second nature, but there is a learning curve with it. We welcome any feedback from players of the game for how they want to see it improved for the next release over on our forums. (www.sigames.com - if I'm not allowed to link, please remove that bid mods!)

  • morriss #30 6 years ago

    Cheers miles. When I said player updates, I meant transfer, not stat updates.

    Or are we talking about the same thing? ;)

    I think you answered my question, but I'm not sure. So basically there 'won't' be a transfer update after Jan next year, but you're gonna try and release a whole new version of the game (including updates) before then?
    Edited by 1 at 13/04/06 @ 18:06

  • Helios #31 6 years ago

    Is that Arsene doing his best bat impression?

  • urban #32 6 years ago

    front page photo looks like these screaming COME ON GUYS YOU CAN FLY!

  • captainrentboy #33 6 years ago

    I'm not usually one for complaining about Microsoft,infact on most posts I tend to have my tongue right up Mr Gate's ass.But Microsoft putting this out with a RRP of £49.99 is a facking royal cheek,it's not like the developers had to spend months working on a brand new,revolutionary graphics engine for this one is it?Bloody terrible,should have been £30 max!

  • l_p_4_7 #34 6 years ago

    I smell guano!

  • byron_hinson #35 6 years ago

    I really love the 360 version once I got used to the control method. Annoyance is with the fact that the basic missing text from the PC versions latest release is also in the 360 version - for example, reach a cup final in a game and you get "Histon reach the !!" - they always miss out the word "Final" irritating, even though its a pretty small thing, Just I notice these things after playing it since the Amiga days.

  • Kenny_b #36 6 years ago

    ,no mentioning of small text erors unless its a champ man game, lol

  • antiginger #37 6 years ago

    8/10 sounds like a winner

  • matrim83 #38 6 years ago

    Its nice to know that this wasn't dumbed down to attract the hordes. This one (whole series in fact) is in all probability the most sickeningly addictive game ever.

  • polymorph #39 6 years ago

    Typical, put that gooner manager on the front page, come on you SPURS! ill b buying this thursday when i get paid, spurs 4th arsenal 6th!!!

  • ilmaestro #40 6 years ago

    I got the impression from a comment on Squenix's FFXI site that the 360 was compatible with a USB mouse. Was I very much mistaken?

  • Xerx3s #41 6 years ago

    "Bundling a mouse would make zero sense, because the 360's not compatible with them."

    Im no expert, but i suppose that there are a couple of ways to get it working. MS could update the firmware the they could design a wireless mouse that uses the xy coordinates as imput from the left joystick & the buttons as A & B. It should be possible (not considering the licence & id safetycodes for perhiperals).

    But then again, MS doesnt want a mouse so there is little chance for them to tinker with the devices.

  • morriss #42 6 years ago

    Thanks Draven. Been one of my favourite games since about '94, so I guess you can say I don't agree. :)

  • tengu #43 6 years ago

    "i cant think of anything more boring than a game about football managment ..."

    I can... one about Table Tennis! :D

    (Stay calm morriss ;))

  • ilmaestro #44 6 years ago

    Here's the quotation from the FFXI beta site:

    "USB peripherals, excluding the USB mouse and keyboard, are not supported by the PlayOnline/FINAL FANTASY XI beta version."

    So, Squenix is saying you can use a USB mouse with a 360. Are they lying? Should I just try it out and see?

  • coojam #45 6 years ago

    How can you say 'a mouse won't work on 360'. Of course it would. It may need some sort of software update, which would be on the FM06 disc, but it would work...if it has USB ports, it will work!

  • morriss #46 6 years ago

    LEAVE ME ALONE TENGU!!!!!!

    :p

  • backdrifter #47 6 years ago

    I've actually been pretty impressed with this so far. After an hour or so, I pretty much figured out how to flick through the various menu's, and since it's basically exactlythe same as the PC version, I can play the better of the two (PC) during the day, and settle down on the sofa with my 'other save' and trying to get Wednesday out of the Championship on the Xbox 360. Perfect!

  • manuel_garcia #48 6 years ago

    IMO i think this game could have done with two input schemes in all honesty.

    As a seasoned veteran of the champ man/FM series it took me a good 30 mins or so to get used to the interface, but now its second nature and I can see why it makes sense, provided you have prior knowledge of the series.

    However without the built-in knowledge of where all the menu screens are located the interface is an absolute nightmare. I have a friend who was excited by the prospect of playing this game (non-pc gamer, football fan), but gave up after an hour of fumbling with the control system and not getting anywhere, his copy has now been returned.

    I cant see many new players who dont know the series sticking round past the couple of hours it'd take to learn the interface to be honest, and as a console game I think thats got to be a serious, game-breaking flaw, and certainly warrants the score being much lower IMO.

    Regardless of how good the version is to us fanboys, I think you have to look at the whole picture, and although the review did that to an extent, I think the final score is somewhat misleading to anyone but veterans of the series.
    Edited by 1 at 17/04/06 @ 07:41

  • Hicksy #49 6 years ago

    I'm a veteran of FM PC, been playing since CM 1! All I can say is the control scheme for this version is utter wank. I would rather wait for my pc to be free to play than have to struggle with the HORRIBLE control mapping!

    However... PSP version FTW it's aceroo :D

  • leelindsay #50 6 years ago

    For some uknown reason I have this game however I am having trouble getting it to load a "new game" i only have the credit option, preferences and information and thats it... I dont understand why it wont work, and I have tried signing in first too. can any one help? please email me leelindsayuk@yahoo.co.uk

    Lee