Football Manager 2009 (PC) (MAC)

Based on the reviews that I have read on the internet about this game, I was more than a little nervous about purchasing FM'09. I'm far from an expert when it comes to using my PC and all of the terrible reviews about the bugs and downloading patches came close to putting me off buying it. HOWEVER, being that I'm a massive fan of Football Manager and the entire Championship Manager series that came before it, I decided to buy it regardless and make my own judgement.

Thankfully this was a great decision as it wasn't anywhere near as complicated to set up as I have been led to believe, and it works brilliantly on my laptop (which is about 4 years old so not exactly a brand new model).

Upon inserting the disc and entering the keycode which can be found on the back of the instruction manual, I was then given the option to automatically download updates or do them manually. Because of my lack of confidence and experience in downloading stuff off the internet, I chose automatic downloads. This then opened up something called "Steam" which showed the FM09 logo and next to it a downloading bar. It automatically downloaded the updates (which I will admit took about half an hour) and all I had to do was wait. Once it reached 100% I then clicked on the launch button and away we go!

Now quite possibly my laptop is more impressive than I give it credit for, and the fact that I waited a few weeks before buyng it may have had a bearing, however all of the negativity that I have come across about setting it up has not been warrented IN MY EXPERIENCE. I can't speak for everyone obviously, and I admit that it is frustrating having to spend half an hour or so download updates when previously you haven't had to, but based on the overwhelming negative response that it's been getting I was pleasantly suprised how straight forward it was to set up.

As far as playing the game goes, in my opinion, the game is brilliant! Granted, it is very similar in it's basic structure to the last installment and so the comments about it just being an updated version are warranted to a point. However I would like to know what people expect?! If they wanted to entire game structure to change, then it would be a completely different game and I would argue that the reason people bought this one is because they enjoyed the previous one so much. For me, all great game series' add new elements year on year to improve, they don't completely overhaul the system, and this is exactly what FM'09 does.

For me, the 3D match view is fantastic. Sure, it's basic, however I don't expect to be watching a Pro Evolution or Fifa standard match. I expected to be watching something more impressive than the birds eye view dots of the previous game, and want to see how my formation and tactics play out on the pitch. In my opinion, the 3D view does exactly that!

The Press Conferences are a great addition to the basic pre and post game comments, and although in fairness I can imagine it getting quite repetitive, the fact that you can leave your assistant to answer the questions for you means that if you can't be bothered, you don't have to.

The transfer gossip is a fun addition, creating a sense of realism (sometimes you get linked with a player you haven't looked at and have no idea where the link comes from!), and it's clever in the way that if you sell a goalkeeper you will then automatically be linked with goalkeepers even if you haven't looked at any!

Finally, it's also fun interacting with the players, instructing them to change certain elements of their game, seeing how they react and then how it changes the way they play in games.

These are just a few of the changes that I thought were impressive, and I'm sure that as I play some more I will discover many more.

In summary, I wanted to write a review that shows the game in a positive light as in my opinion and my experience so far it deserves it. I've loved every minute of playing it so far, and after six hours and numerous matches the game hasn't frozen or shut down on me once. This is a great addition to the Champo and Footie Manager collection, and if you've got a decent PC or laptop, internet connection, and aren't expecting MAJOR changes, then I would take no notice of all of the negative comments and reviews and go buy it.

I can understand that a lot of people had problems with this game on release, and so posted very poor reviews of it on here.

This is shame though because I've been playing it myself for the last few weeks (initially wasnt too sure about getting it but figured what the heck) and it really is excellent.

I last played one of these games about 5 years ago and enjoyed it then, but the amount of detail and strategic depth that's been added since is amazing. Have played through 3 seasons and am only now starting to really understand how to set up my team tactics properly and how subtle changes to team instructions etc can make real differences depending on the players I use.

Anyway, really good game, would definitely recommend to anyone whos a fan of these football manager type games.

A lot of people have been disappointed with this game for various reasons; for example it wouldnt run or complicated gameplay. However, I think this is a decent game and its suffering because fm 2008 was a very good game. Due to the added 3d feature the minimum system requirements are quite high and the graphics for this mode are in themselves not that great. But for those who would rather just play an updated 08 version there is a classic mode and while the gameplay has been tweaked towards the more complicated side, it is only a slight change and as with the 3d mode, alot of features are "optional" (eg you dont actually need them to run the game). And i think the most important thing to remember about this game is that the update is only a year away. And if the gradual change and improvement of the "classic" mode is anything to go by, then it will only be a few years until a quality 3d game is released with tweaks and less compicated gameplay.
Up until now I have assumed that you have played an older version of the game and have really only talked about differences between the older version and the new one. I will finish up the review by giving a brief description of the game:
high graphic requirements, general focusing on the tactical and managerial (obviously) side of football, with no actual control over the players beyond their position, their instructions and their teamtalk. A highly addictive game in which you control one (or sometimes more) teams throughout the season in all competitions from the premiership, to the champions league and even the world cup. I would recomend it for people with a bit of free time and a love (or even just an interest) in football.
In the end, if you already have football manager 08 and you can bear to wait until 2010 (late 2009) then I advise you to wait for what im sure will be a much improved game.