It's a funny old game
Football is a funny old game on consoles. It's never felt exactly right. The Championship(Football) Manager series is still a huge success on PC, thanks to the easy to use control system and in depth gameplay. However, when you play a football management sim on a console it feels awkward using a controller, and fails to immerse the player in the same way as its PC competitors. However, if you prefer console gaming, LMA Manager 2006 has had a makeover, it's the best football management on console by a long shot.
LMA Manager 2006 follows the same premise as the other games in the series. Choose the full game and you’ll be in charge of all of the team’s affairs, choose fantasy team and you'll be able to build your own team from scratch. Your first job will be to select a manager, the manager you create will be duplicated on the touchline and in news flashes throughout the game. Fancy a mullet or a goatee? or maybe some Presley style side burns? There are plenty of options to create a unique character.
You'll have the option to play pre-season matches or skip them and head on into the action.
New players to the football management genre will be confused with the multitude of options available, the game requires persistence, a logical mind and a willingness to learn. If you want to succeed as a manager you can’t just jump into games willy nilly, you’ll need to plan meticulously and have the instruction booklet handy. This attention to detail is admirable and results in a completely absorbing, addictive experience.
The interface on LMA Manager 2006 is relatively simple to navigate with the use of your joypad. In the first instance PC players will find it an awkward shift from using a mouse but, after time you’ll soon get used to the change. Console gamers will be glad that Codemasters haven’t changed the ease of navigation from the 2004 and 2005 versions. The interface also appears to have had a slight re-design from the last outing. This isn’t a pick up and play game, you’ll be staring at the screen for long periods of time, it appears the designers have made these changes to create a softer visual experience to prevent aching eyes.