Real Football Manager 2010

Real Football Manager 2010 – Test your football knowhow on the pitch

Fancy yourself as one of the greatest football managers alive? Well, going from England’s World Cup performance just about anyone could’ve done better than the real thing.

So if you are looking at honing your skills then you have two options, either get outside into all that fresh air and start randomly shouting at kids and adults alike in the park (but watch out for the wardens as this tends to get frowned upon), or practice by playing tactical games such as Real Football Manager 2010.

Start by inputting your name and age, then you’re just a few clicks away from picking a team from the top two leagues around Europe and Brazil. All the names and players attributes have been lovingly installed so that you get a very realistic world to immerse yourself into. As with many simulator games of this type you get to manage everything, from not just what goes on the pitch but also everything behind the scenes. How much you charge for tickets, scouting for players, employing the trainers and scouts themselves and even the training are there for you to tinker with. Also if that’s not enough for you to look after, you have also fun things like reading messages in the news and even watching the highlights from the game.

Playing the match itself is really quite fun. Although you can’t control and play with the folk on the pitch, you can make changes from the sidelines.  Everything from making tactical decisions (all out attack to marking, passing and dribbling) can all be played with to suit the flow of the game. Even the half time team talk can have an impact on your team’s morale. You have the option to praise or discipline the players and this will have a possible consequence on how your team continues to play. And of course you can make the substitutes and play with the positions to your hearts’ content.

This game is definitely for those who enjoy the finer details and intricate workings of the beautiful game of football. If you’re more into playing the game and scoring glorious goals you may feel a bit of a spectator, but this is certainly a game worthwhile getting nonetheless as it’s superb and the graphics are really good – especially as you can play and watch the game, review the goals and all the antics of your manager at the sidelines when you score or go down a goal or three (the drinking bottles aren’t safe!).

Ultimately this is a well thought out and deep game for anyone who enjoys football. If you enjoy a challenge of growing a lower league side up the rankings or even starting with the top team, you will have to work hard to keep the other teams from stealing your crown!

Rating 86%

Positives

Highly detailed game with more options to play with than you can shake a corner flag at

Very realistic

Totally addictive

The action replays

Negatives

Pretty tough and could deter the novice player

There’s no way you can put this game down when you decide to play for ‘a quick game’

Almost too much to manage and would be nice to limit this down if possible