Championship Manager 2010 (PC)
The history of the Championship Manager/Football Manager split is well documented so I won't bore you with too much of a history lesson.
Most fans believe FM to be the true blood heir of the football management crown.
The Championship Manager franchise has struggled so far to create a game that can compete, but with this new offering it does edge nearer and has actually delivered a very well-designed, playable and comprehensive game.
The thing to remember with Championship Manager is that while it is an in-depth management game, it doesn't strive to go too deep. FM is the most insanely deep game, this isn't - it is more of an instantly ÃÂaccessible experience.
The interface is very user-friendly. Navigation around the screen is very straightforward and getting from A to B is just as it should be.
The introduction of the 3D match engine is very welcome and nicely designed. The team management is an area I really like. It's a lot easier than last time out to select players, tactics, positions etc.
Scouting, training and transfer elements are all very well incorporated, but areas like the news are way off the standards set by FM.
I don't think converting FM fans is a realistic ambition for this game. What is realistic is to attract players who may fancy both games.
This is a different animal to the stat-man's dream that is Football Manager.
Load times on the game can be a bit cumbersome and a good PC is a must. You will find yourself getting drawn into another management game that isn't actually too bad at all, though. Good to see the possibility of a real management war emerging once again. This isn't the real deal yet though.
Championship Manager used to be the only two words anybody needed when looking to buy a PC management game. That's not the case anymore, but there is certainly evidence here that there is an intention to ÃÂrelive the glory days and get back to the top of the league.
Authors
Steve Wollaston - Sunday Mercury games reviewer Steve has been writing about video games for donkey's years. In fact he is probably far too old for it now which is why you will see a lot of reviews been done by kids... He has been nominated three times for Regional Games Journalist Of The Year at the Games Media Awards, but never wins. His major love is sports games and rates Sensible World of Soccer circa 90's as the greatest game ever made - closely followed by Championship Manager 2. Skyrim has currently taken over his life.
