Amazon.co.uk Review
Championship Manager 4 is the latest in the long line of football sims to come out of the Eidos/Sports Interactive Games doors, and followers of the ever popular series will not be disappointed. With over 200,000 players and staff across 39 national leagues, footy fans will delight in the level of detail once again realised--in fact to some it might be slightly mind boggling.
New to the game are a number of features including a 2-D match mode that allows you to watch the game unfold, giving you the chance to manage and change positions accordingly when it comes to passing and shooting tactics. Greater emphasis has been placed on training, and the game gives you the chance to assign specific schedules. This of course gives you even more responsibility in making your players "match fit" for the season ahead, and towards the end of the season your decisions become crucial if you plan to get your boys promoted.
Other new additions include an enhanced contract negotiation system, a more efficient, easier-to-use network play arena and, for those who want it, a skinable interface.
In short, this is the most in-depth football sim you'll find on the market. If you are a footy fan then this game will cost you plenty of sleep. For any fans wanting more from the series, the new features add much-needed elements, though they may just be a distraction to the hard-core stat fanatics that rush to buy this title every time it's updated. If you're a football fan this is a must, and if your not, give it a go; you might just love the nation's favourite game after all. --Jason Denwood