Football Manager 2009
Champion elect or season of transition?
Unlike Football Manager 2008, where many of the new features didn't feel as though they substantially impacted on the way you played or viewed the game, Football Manager 2009's additions do genuinely enrich your management experience. If you're a newcomer, you can now rely on your assistant manager to provide pointers as to where you're going wrong, as he'll give you feedback on player performances and the effectiveness of your tactics.
More seasoned players will be pleased to know that press conferences have been added this year, with media sessions before and after games, as well as at key stages of the season. Press conferences help provide an extra layer of immersion and realism, despite some questions tending to be repeated and your selection of answers lacking charisma. You really feel as though you can use the media to send out messages to your squad, whether it's praising a player or admonishing your team for a gutless performance. You can even storm out of a session, or ask your assistant manager to take your place, though you risk them saying something that could compromise your team's morale. Transfer rumours also raise a smile, particularly when a hack starts grilling you about a player you've never even considered buying, while transfer negotiations feel more flexible and satisfying. The ability to teach your players new special skills is another welcome addition. Just don't expect that up and coming midfielder to turn into Maradona overnight.
Clearly, there's plenty to be excited about, but your fervour will be compromised somewhat by another smattering of glitches and shortfalls. You start to notice them as early as the profile creation screen, with anything but the faintest of key strokes resulting in letter repetition. The new manager of Liverpool FC was very nearly MMaaarrttiinn Koorddaa. Try getting that into a pithy headline! Other teams' transfer dealings seem a little erratic at times, while ordering your players to interchange positions can wreak havoc, as they sometimes appear to make bizarre switches you never sanctioned. The press also gets a little confused on certain issues, such as asking whether a youth player who's never even made the bench will be back in the team for a key game after recovering from injury. On a lesser note, navigation isn't the most intuitive (especially for newbs), there's little or no time to read loading tips if you possess a more powerful computer, and team talk options still feel underdeveloped and unclear.
All of which means Football Manager 2009 is a mixture of good and bad. On one hand it's the finest, most complete and visually fulfilling game the series has ever enjoyed, but on the other it contains so many niggles you'll feel irritated almost as often as you feel elated. The good news is that a patch has been promised soon after release, but in the meantime we have no choice but to mark it down accordingly. Strip away the hiccups and this is a must-have game, with the added excitement provided by the 3D match engine worthy of the entrance fee alone. And while it may not be quite the finished article, Football Manager 2009 still has more than enough quality and strength in depth to be considered championship-winning material.