Football Manager 2008

Since the introduction of the 2D match engine, each subsequent version of FM introduced some small additions which slightly enhanced the game each year. But this time SI have completely nailed this management sim - if the demo is anything to go by.
The most intriguing addition for me so far is the Confidence section, where not only the board give their verdict ony you now, but the fans give their opinions on your signings, players current performances, results and team performances. They even speak their minds after each match, so it looks as if the fans will have much more of a say in your career this time around...
The matchflow really does make a difference to match days too, with substitutions made in real-time without having to stop the action you look to swing the game in your favour or just consolidate.
Your coaches give you the lowdown on your signings as they arrive at the club, automatically comparing them to the other similar players at your club. I captured Hatem Trabelsi for Wolves in the demo, and after a few solid games the fans expressed their delight at a great acqusition, while the board agreed he was a good signing and a 'excellent piece of business'.
Also you have the new transfer centre, where you can compare offers for your players at a glance, so deciding which clubs bid to accept (if any) is made a whole lot easier.
Another plus is the new 2D match engine, which seems so much more realistic. Gone are the stupid passes to nobody, relinquishing possession at the back for no reason, goalkeepeers dodgy goalkicks and shots which 'just skim the bar'. Now you can easily picture the action in your head as it is so true to life. A lot of work has obviously gone into revamping this part of the game and Im sure dedicated FM followers are really going to appreciate it.
Ive nowhere near found all of the latest additions to the game, Im sure there are a fair few more, but on this showing of the demo this game is a must for any FM enthusiast, or anybody who fancies trying the series out for the first time.

Iv'e been trying to think about what to write for this review. For starters i have given it 3 stars, i would of given it 4 and i will try to explain why i didn't. This game is excellent, no doubt about it, its VERY addictive, there are so many features, huge club base, loads of decent youngsters to buy ect ect. It has every thing you would want from a Football Manager game, the season takes a while to complete which is a good thing, there are loads of tactics to choose from, player interaction is good, transfer market is realistic i.e. Micah Richards will cost you over 20m. BUT be warned it is AMAZINGLY frustrating, you have at least 1 goal disallowed EVERY GAME (the opposition doesn't). Your strikers NEVER score as many goals as they do when you do not manage them. You create around 25 chances on target per game and average 1 goal. Your opposition create 3 chances for 1 goal. The oppositions goalie always has a blinder against you. I was Manchester Utd, won the league 3 times in a row, then they decided to give me NO transfer funds in the fourth season. Dont get me wrong, i have had a moan, this game is decent, but its just so frustrating, and nobody wants to play a frustrating game. For the frustrated gamer i would avoid this because you will want to smash your computer up when you go to Derby and lose 8-3 and Lewis Price gets a 10 rating lol. Sometimes it feels pointless playing it. Theo Walcott gets awesome after 4 seasons by the way, as does Carlos Vela, Ashley Young, Ben Sahar & Scott Sinclair to name but a few. Johan Elmander is a good first season buy also. Enjoy...

The latest version of Footie Manager is more polished than the 2007 version, features some useful improvements (the coach reports on your own players and a revamp of the confidence screen, for example) and all the latest transfers etc. It is what we've all come to expect and love.
However, it feels like this is fundamentally the same game you bought last year, which begs the question: why spend 25-30 quid on what is essentially a database update?
The obvious answer is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', which is perfectly true. If you're comfortable paying for it, fine; if not, get the latest patch for 07 and wait for next year's version which might offer something new.

Anyone thinking about buying this game, DON'T! This game is such a dissapointment. They have spent to much time and effort on the off field parts of the game, that they forgot to make the actual gameply and match scores realistic.

Every club has the top stars disliking and fighting with each other, results are laughable at times and totally unrealistic, form counts for nothing, as one week your amazing, and the next you are like a conference team.

What a disapointing game indeed. Very good off the field, and lots more detail, but actual games, results and tactics is a joke and laughable at times.

All in all, TOTALLY UNREALISTIC

waste of £25 for me, and such a shame as the previous FM games have been very good. But this one, they have let themselves down so much with the 2008 version

again football manager has failed to dissapoint, ever since the game has swapped from CM to football manager it has just got better and better, would totally recomennd it to anyone who is thinking of buying it 10/10.
I like the added player pictures and also i think that it is way more realistic than the previous one. yet again FM totally over CM