Windows

FIFA Manager 08

EA Sports levert weer een puik afgewerkte game af, maar de beste in het genre is FIFA Manager echter nog lang niet.

FIFA Manager 08 is een erg degelijk voetbalmanagementgame dat zich bijna weet aan te sluiten bij de hardcore games in het genre. Het kent voldoende diepgang, maar tegelijkertijd is de instapdrempel lager dan bij die twee andere toptitels in het genre. Hoogtepunten zijn de officiële licenties en de uitgebreide opties, terwijl we iets minder te spreken zijn over de overladen interface en de presentatie van de informatie. Eén ding is zeker (Antwerp wint den beker - nvdr voor de Belgische gamers): FIFA Manager 08 heeft z'n plaatsje verdient in het genre.

It's clear that Bright Future has worked hard on updating and expanding its football management sim. While it's not quite in the Premier League yet, there's plenty here for fans to enjoy. It's a tremendously deep game that also manages to be welcoming to the novice while the official licenses and overall polish will delight both types of player. Those playing at the advanced level are unlikely to feel hamstrung by limited options this time around, but the way that all the information is presented could definitely do with some work for next year. Most importantly, the game carves out its own niche in the football management market, and although this time it falls short of greatness, it shows plenty of promise for the future.

It's clear that Bright Future has worked hard on updating and expanding its football management sim. While it's not quite in the Premier League yet, there's plenty here for fans to enjoy. It's a tremendously deep game that also manages to be welcoming to the novice while the official licenses and overall polish will delight both types of player. Those playing at the advanced level are unlikely to feel hamstrung by limited options this time around, but the way that all the information is presented could definitely do with some work for next year. Most importantly, the game carves out its own niche in the football management market, and although this time it falls short of greatness, it shows plenty of promise for the future.

Despite still containing its fair share of problems, FIFA Manager 08 has taken a significant step forward for the series, arguably showing a greater level of improvement over the past twelve months than either Football Manager or Championship Manager. Its added team management features and improved match engine make it a credible alternative to FM (if hardly its equal), while its sheer level of customisation and depth will no doubt appeal to all you control freaks out there hankering for a club rather than team management experience. Throw in a powerful player editor for good measure and you're left with game that, while not quite a title contender, certainly has the potential to be in a season or two if it continues to improve and evolve at a similar rate to this year.