Football Manager 2009 is the latest in the long running management simulation series. These games come along like clockwork once every year, and like past instalments this version offers new features, upgrades and tweaks, to get the series one step closer to virtual management nirvana. The ... Read review
Football Manager 2009's match engine has seen more testing than ever before having been ... more
extensively beta tested in Football Manager Live for the past year.The famous Football Manager match engine can now be viewed in full 3D with motion captured anim...
Postage & Packaging: £1.94 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Football Manager 2009's match engine has seen more testing than ever before having been ... more
extensively beta tested in Football Manager Live for the past year.The famous Football Manager match engine can now be viewed in full 3D with motion captured anim...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Football Manager 2009 is back with a brand new match engine. The famous Football Manager ... more
match engine can now be viewed in full 3D with motion captured animations for the players. You can now watch your matches in 3D from multiple camera angles and re-...
Postage & Packaging: Free standard delivery on all orders over £30 Availability: In Stock
2D Match Display. For the first time ever on PSP, Football Manager Handheld now features ... more
a 2D match engine with two camera angles, allowing you to view the full match or zoom in on the action.Multiple Leagues. Run up to four top tier playable divisions at any one time so you can move your career around the continent just like you can in the PC version.Updated Competitions. All leagues, club and player updated for the new 2008/09 season.New Skins. Featuring two brand new skins, a light and a dark tone, so you can choose the look that suits you best.
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The Greatest Job On Earth!Take charge of your favourite club, build your squad in the ... more
transfer market, choose your tactics and ten guide your team to glory from the touchline, making on-the-spot decisions as you watch the action unfold.Football Manager 2009, The best selling, most realistic and critically acclaimed football management sim, gives you unrivalled depth from the greatest database in any football game featuring 50+ playable countries.New For Football Manager 2009:-For the First Time See The Match in Full 3D: You can now watch your matches in 3D from multiple camera angles, customise the stats you see with new TV view.-Press Conferences: Answer the press' questions as you want to, or choose to ignore them and walk out of the conference. Just bear in mind they will remember your comments and actions...-Assistant Manager Feedback: Get pre-match and in-match feedback from your Assistant Manager on how the team is performing and your players' motivation levels, as well as hints on how your tactics are working and how you could outwit the opposition.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:Out of stock
Sports Interactive's best selling series returns fully updated for the new season. ... more
Designed specifically for the portable play, Football Manager Handheld 2009 gives you the opportunity to be a top manager wherever you are.Available in full or zoomed view, and a choice of 2 skins.Multiple leaguesRun up to four top tier playable divisions at any one time so you can move your career around from country to country.Updated competitionsAll leagues, clubs and players updated for the new 2008/09 season.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:Out of stock
2D Match Display. For the first time ever on PSP, Football Manager Handheld now features ... more
a 2D match engine with two camera angles, allowing you to view the full match or zoom in on the action.Multiple Leagues. Run up to four top tier playable divisions at any one time so you can move your career around the continent just like you can in the PC version.Updated Competitions. All leagues, club and player updated for the new 2008/09 season.New Skins. Featuring two brand new skins, a light and a dark tone, so you can choose the look that suits you best.
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
1-5 of 16 reviews of Football Manager 2009 (PC)
Show all reviews
Prepare to become addicted all over again
Advantages: A great update to the best management game ever made Disadvantages: Depth could put off new or casual players
Football Manager 2009 is the latest in the long running management simulation series. These games come along like clockwork once every year, and like past instalments this version offers new features, upgrades and tweaks, to get the series one step closer to virtual management nirvana. The good news is that for football management enthusiasts this remains the definitive title to pick up. The class Football Manager formula has hooked the devoted and ... ...are numerous other improvements in Football Manager 2009 in addition to the match engine, but nearly all are welcome. Tactics are now even deeper, and potentially more mind boggling, but for the devoted this simply allows them to get everything tweaked exactly right. Getting the right mix of players that work well together, individual instructions (you can now tell players to stop doing certain moves, or encourage them to work on new ones), and general ... more
Football Manager 2009 is the latest in the long running management simulation series. These games come along like clockwork once every year, and like past instalments this version offers new features, upgrades and tweaks, to get the series one step closer to virtual management nirvana. The good news is that for football management enthusiasts this remains the definitive title to pick up. The class Football Manager formula has hooked the devoted and the casual alike, and this latest version will be no different.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
The big talking point for the new game is the 3-D match engine. Sports Interactive were always adamant that they would not introduce a 3-D match engine until technology allowed them to do so. Apparently we've now reached this stage, as the series makes the biggest leap in the match engine since the original 2-D engine was introduced many moons ago. You can now view matches in full 3-D glory, even changing viewpoints and arranging information windows to give you the full 'match day experience'.
But is it any good? Perhaps surprisingly, it actually is. Don't be deceived into thinking that the engine is like watching real football, or even a game of FIFA, because it isn't. But it was never intended to be. The animation is deliberately limited and not shown in a great amount of detail, but in a way this still allows you at fill in the gaps with your own imagination, as with the 2-D match engine, and it works fine. It certainly won't be for everyone, but it is good starting point, and for those who just don't like it, you can always return to the classic 2-D view and act like the 3-D engine doesn't exist.
A LITTLE BIT OF ASSISTANCE
There are numerous other improvements in Football Manager 2009 in addition to the match engine, but nearly all are welcome. Tactics are now even deeper, and potentially more mind boggling, but for the devoted this simply allows them to get everything tweaked exactly right. Getting the right mix of players that work well together, individual instructions (you can now tell players to stop doing certain moves, or encourage them to work on new ones), and general tactics is very satisfying if you have the time to devote to it. You can also now assign opposition instructions before each match as well, meaning that your team will rarely play exactly the same way in any given match. Worried about what Cristiano Ronaldo will do if given time on the ball? Instruct your players to close him down. Worried about Van Persie's vicious left foot? Instruct your players to show him onto his weaker foot for shots.
Of course such depth brings with it the challenge of getting everything right, and there is a great challenge here. Fortunately your assistant is now on hand to offer helpful advice during a match, identifying for you players that are having a good and bad game, tactical tweaks that could help you, and generally offering feedback that is genuinely helpful. Player ratings are now down to one decimal place during matches to make ratings more accurate as well, which is just one more tool to help you assess your squad.
For the casual players, there is no need to pay attention to all of this. You can still win matches without it, just perhaps not as many, so if you don't want to read through your assistant's suggestions, or trawl through opposition squads looking for weaknesses, you don't have to. But for those who thrive on the detail that this series brings, these are all welcome additions.
FIND ME A STAR
The transfer system has now been completely revamped, and whilst changes may not be immediately apparent, those who have spent a lot of time with the series will notice the differences. Player valuations are now far more realistic, and the AI behaves in a much more realistic manner. This in itself makes the transfer system more of a joy to deal with, and when linked with tweaks to the scouting system it makes the whole process of identifying players and purchasing them much more satisfying. You feel much less that the game is working to screw you over in valuations, and more that you're part of the system and jostling for position. This feeling is enhanced by the new rumour system, which again feels far more realistic and some rumours are bang on the money, whilst others are completely baseless.
Interaction with the press has also had an overhaul with the addition of pre and post match conferences. As with all press interaction, these eventually do become somewhat repetitive (good job you can send your assistant in your place, then), but equally they are without a doubt the best example of press interaction to date with the series. What you say in these conferences impacts directly upon your players, and you will be asked some testing questions, so the realism factor certainly cannot be denied.
CONCLUSION
Sports Interactive have once again come up trumps with a Football Manager title. As with others in the series, it remains the undisputed leader of the pack in relation to management simulation games. The only downside is that newcomers and casual players may be daunted by just how much depth there is in this game. As well as the core fundamentals gaining more detail and more features making their debut, the game now offers players the chance to manage in a frankly staggering number of leagues. It is ironic that such depth is actually the reason why the game is so high up on its pedestal. That said, the game can still be played whilst missing out many of the features, so those who are apprehensive about playing such an in depth game should not be put off.
For those who have lost days at a time to Football Manager games, it should come as no surprise to hear that this is an essential purchase. The same fantastic detail and depth present in the other games is just as abundant, and the new challenge brought about by the tweaks in mechanics will give devoted fans a reason to fall in love with the game all over again.
You still cannot beat the raw emotions of scoring a last minute winner, reaching the playoffs, just avoiding relegation, winning the Champions League, or a host of other achievements that the game teases you with just like real football. And just like real football, it's all too easy to find yourself hopelessly obsessed with the details, and spending far too much time with it than you should. But when the experience is this good, does it really matter?
Advantages: Great level of detail, fantasticly addictive and satisfying to play Disadvantages: Your family may forget you, tedious if your not 100% into it
...when the game is called Football Manager?' In 2004 the creators of the game, the Collyer brothers, split with their publisher Eidos. Eidos however retained ownership of the brand and continued releasing games under the name 'Championship Manager'. I bought the first of these, it wasn't so good, which was a shame as it did look like a lot of work went into it. So the series was essentially renamed, rebranded and published by Sega under the new name ... ...Collyer brothers had created. Football Manager 2005 came along with, as you would expect, even more features. More press interaction, better match engine, more player options and pre/post match summaries being just a few of them. 2006 and 2007 versions advanced a little and introduced XBOX and PSP versions. I tried these and they're just not as good as the PC versions as so much had to be left out and the control method wasn't as intuitive. 2008 ...
non_sense 20.02.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Football Manager 2009 (PC)
Advantages: Very addictive game and expand your knowledge of football. Disadvantages: May take over your life.
Football Manager 2009 is a life like football managerial game. This year’s game is the best yet and the all new 3D pitch gives the game the edge over its competitors.
After playing many football games including, Champion Manager 2009, PES 2009 and FIFA 2009, I firmly believe that football manager is the best by a long way. Football manager 2009 is a new era of managerial gaming and is as close as many of us will get to manage a football club. From ... ...negotiations etc football manager 2009 offers it all.
Another realistic aspect of the game is the transfer prices and contract wages, also the fact that your club can get taken over is a bonus as well as you can get approached by national teams or other club teams that are interested in your services.
This game has vastly expanded my knowledge of the beautiful game and is extremely good at predicting which players will be big in the future. There ...
niall155 09.07.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Football Manager 2009 (PC)
Advantages: 3D match engine, all players in the world are available, better than LMA manager Disadvantages: Sometimes strange results like team in 1st place being beaten by team in 24th
Football manager 2009 has continued the football manager series with the same features and layout of the game as the past versions, but this time features a new 3D match view. The game has many good features that would make me more willing to buy this game over the biggest competitor, LMA Manager 2009. Firstly, the game can be installed very quickly, and you can choose the countries and the leagues who wish to play in, or buy players from. For example, ... ...you can do so by only entering the English leagues to play in, however if you then in future wanted to play in another countries' league(s) you would have to hope that that country or club makes you an offer to manage them. If not you will be stuck with only being able to take over teams in the country that you have selected. Many fans of the game will take over their local team and try to lead them to the premier league and beyond, before the game ...
LukeG91 18.09.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Football Manager 2009 (PC)
Advantages: Great Game With The New 3D Engine And Other Improvements Disadvantages: 3D Engine May Not Work On Lower End Computers
Football Manager 2009 is the annual follow-up to the 2008 version, and well let me just start by saying that this sis one of the biggest updates ever. Yes, the time has finally come for the introduction of the 3D match engine, and let me tell you, life is good. This has been one of the major issues with the football managers of the past, as many couldn't really 'feel' the match when watching it played by a bunch of circles, although admittedly I ... ...leap in terms of the football manager games, and help makes this a more absorbing game, allowing you to get a better feel for the players and any matches you play. The game will make you cheer, make you groan, but it will also provide you with hours of enjoyment. If you are anything like me, then you won't be able to get enough of this, and your addiction will either begin, or it will continue to thrive. Well done SIG Games, another great addition ...
Robin_Hod12 14.04.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Football Manager 2009 (PC)
Advantages: Great depth of gameplay, fantastic interface, 3D match engine allows you to see tactics work Disadvantages: Takes a long time to install and steam does cause some frustration
...huge depth that has made Football Manager the market leader in the football managing genre.
So...is it still the best??? Well this is always going to come down to the individual person and their choice but if you stick at it and get used to the new developments you appreciate it more and more and see how fantastic the small improvements really are. If you are willing to sit and make notes on tactics, players, training and all other areas then you ...
tangoman1984 28.10.2009
· Read full review
Review of Football Manager 2009 (PC)
Gameplay/Playability
Graphics
Sound
Value for Money
Longevity
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Football Manager 2009 (PC)"
Advantages: Team Talk, Easy-to-Use editor Disadvantages: Players get Upset Easily
FootballManager 2007 is still my favourite managerial game on the market. This is mainly due to the fact that 'FootballManager 2008' did not work properly on my PC (most of the menus were missing) and I have not been out to buy 'FootballManager2009' yet.
In this edition of the game, the 'Team Talk' is introduced for the first time. This is a great addition to the game I feel, because it gives you greater influence on the mood of your players and can also influence the result of matches.
You can either be hailed for an inspirational team talk by your players and media or make your players feel concerned for the lack of praise you give them. If you choose to tell the team to' play like this in every match' instead of telling them their 5-0 win was 'sensational' then players become slightly concerned.
The layout to this game ...
Product Information for "Football Manager 2009 (PC)" »
Product details
Age
3+
Publisher
Sega, Electronic Arts (EA), Zoo Digital
Genre
Sports; Simulation
Sub Genre
Football; Management Sim
Release Date
2009, 31st October 2008, 15th August 2008
Operating System
Windows XP
EAN
5030930066925, 5060034555759
Manufacturer's product description
LFP Manager 09 gives you full control over the management of a football club. You are responsible for the line-up, the tactics and the training of your team as well as for signing the right players, improving the club facilities and the stadium. It is also important that you maintain good relationships with your players, the board, the sponsors and the press. But LFP Manager 09 goes further. Managing your national team is one of the options, playing as a player manager is another one (in this case you can even control your player on the pitch). And then there is the ultimate challenge: Found your own club and work your way up the leagues to finally become Champions!