Total Club Manager 2005 - PC Review

find navigating the mass of stats and player information much easier than in previous version. The 3D game engine is equally progressive and with the facility to pass each match back and forth from FIFA 2005 back to TCM2005 you have complete control over your career and destiny.

Total Club Manager 2005 will pit your football wits against the best managers in the world. Whether you are scrapping for points in a relegation battle, or on the verge of European victory, TCM 2005 will guarantee you feel the pressures of the modern day football manager.

This year there is a deeper, more thorough database (with officially licensed leagues, teams and players), as well as improved tactical realism in a stunning 3D world will allow for a more realistic management experience. An all-new 3D highlights package (PC only) is also included to allow the manager to view key moments in the game.

TCM`s all new hi-res interface, player stat system and key game modes such as `Create a Club` (PC only) further push the boundaries of football management simulation.

Key Features

 Realism and Authenticity - The new database initiative is on track to deliver the deepest and most accurate data we have ever offered in TCM.

• Player skills are now out of 0-99 instead of -1 to +2. This allows the manager to assess players with more depth on each of their skills. (PC only)
• 30 different stats per player as opposed to 16 in TCM 2004. (PC only)
• Form becomes more important whilst morale becomes less important. (PC only)
• A whole set of new and added character traits per player on all platforms.

 All new 3D Engine - The new 3D match engine for 2005 ensures that your players follow the tactics you have set up. With more tactical options and completely new AI, TCM 2005 has the definitive 3D match engine.

 All new Highlights package -The PC highlight mode combines match commentary and key statistical information and then transports you to the 3D match when a key moment occurs.

 Data comes to Life - An all-new immersive and innovative experience comes to life in TCM 2005. The `Interactive Manager Dugout` allows the manager to watch the game unfold in glorious 3D whilst he can view the latest information about his team and current opponents. This includes:

• Fitness/Fatigue rating
• Player rating
• Goals / Cards
• Individual player stats
• Overall team stats
• Territorial possession stats

The 'Interactive Manager Dugout' allows the manager to bark out more orders to his team and change tactics throughout the game. In addition, the latest scores from around the league are updated as they occur.

 More Leagues and Players - Total Club Manager will include all the players and teams from the leagues in England, Germany, Spain, France and Italy... and many more from around the world. More details to follow.

 Your town, Your club - Total Club Manager 2005 allows the manager to create his own club (PC only). With a database of over 30,000 English and German towns / cities, the manager can literally set up a club from his hometown. Create your club badge, kits and stadium and then take them from obscurity to European glory.

 Custom Team Formations - New for console: Create and save up to 10 different custom formations so the manager can set up the formation that works best for his team.

 Individual Player Instructions - New for console: With 8 different tactical instructions, the manager can precisely define what each player should be doing on the pitch.

With a fantastic new graphical interface and quicker/easier layout TCM2005 submerges you in the role of club manager without a problem. You can move through the game as quickly or slowly as you like. When viewing the matches you get the choices of instant result, 3D highlights or full 3D match and you can even program your own “match of the day” style football TV show.

Sound-wise there are no complaints from me. Paul Oakenfold provides a “Big Brother” style soundtrack that doesn't ever seem to get boring and the Perfecto All-Stars provide the remaining tunes. In-game sound is great too the crowds react perfectly to the play on field and the manager can shout their orders from the dugout.

Overall EA are beginning to own this genre. I think with such deep authenticity in the data and the ability to play the matches using the FIFA engine EA are putting forward a very strong product. Anybody competing with TCM2005 better get busy developing because the standards have been set incredibly high for 2005.

9 out of 10