Product Reviews

If, like us, you've given more than a decade to Sports Interactive's original Championship Manager series, you'll be aware that it today lives on, rebranded as Football Manager. A dressing-room spat two years ago saw publisher Eidos - armed only with the rights to the famous Championship Manager name - launch its own ill-fated attempt, and those in the know crossed to the FM side in their droves. So, with the launch of the 2007 editions of both games, could the maturing youngster close the gap on the experienced pro?

Rest assured CM2007 is now a perfectly playable game, consigning the last two bug-ridden editions to history. The multiple-camera match engine is its much-touted strength and, although the players are just skittle-shaped markers, you'll see countless clever lobbed goals, curlers and one-twos. But there are some issues that snap you back to reality.

We have a few doubts about the AI: keepers are fussy about rushing out, and defenders often stop a few yards from the ball and stare on while opponents walk in to score. Other little things grate, such as the lack of a free-kick attribute and the awful team-talk function, which seems to have a different and random effect from game to game.

The high-profile ProZone analysis tool should be a great addition, but it feels a bit tacked on. It's difficult to get what you want from it and, even if you do see something you want to exploit, the array of tactical options simply isn't as wide as in FM2007, so you often can't implement the changes you'd like. But overall, there's enough of a leap forward in the consistency and playability of CM2007 to suggest that by next year we may have a real duel on our hands.

So, besides being flattered by CM2007's increasingly familiar-looking menu screens, the

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FM team needn't worry yet. The main thing you notice after playing both games is how much more intuitive the FM GUI is: depending on your current actions, the sidebar contains a menu tree with all the options you may need.

The in-match and news text has all been tweaked to be even more engrossing, and SI is gradually adding photos for every player profile in the game - hopefully by next season they'll be complete. The 2D match engine may lack the graphical style of CM2007, but the AI is as flawless as you'd expect given the years of refinements.

Then you have ingenious little touches like the new "knowledge" attribute for all backroom staff: a Danish scout will possess expert knowledge of the Scandinavian leagues, unveiling the previously hidden stats of players in that region. Along with new club affiliations - most notably feeder and parent clubs - you can develop a network of knowledge to dig out talent from across the globe. Board interaction has also increased, with stadium expansion and even takeovers now possible.

But, most importantly, FM's tactical range is huge, with sliders to adjust width of play, the depth of the defensive line, even the creative freedom you give players. After analysing player strengths with the new attribute chart (which Pro Evolution Soccer fans will recognise), you can choose to focus attacks down your stronger flank, intimidate a tricky opposition winger with big tackles or even force him on to his weaker foot to nullify him.

Then tailor your game to your team's strengths: aim in high balls or play it in behind the defence for a pacier striker to run on to; whatever your favoured style, you'll be overjoyed to see it actually happen on the pitch. It really helps to immerse you in its world, which is the whole point of a game like this and the reason it still has the "addictedness" rating on your managerial profile.

In terms of the competition, the obvious comparison is with the world of on-pitch football sims: aficionados have long chosen the realism of Pro Evolution Soccer over the arcade play of FIFA Soccer, but the latter has recently clawed back some respect largely by aping its rival. The same can be said for CM2007: it's a vast improvement, but much of it is achieved by borrowing heavily from the real champion of the genre, the all-encompassing and life-swallowing Football Manager 2007.