Stop comparing it to Football Manager.

User Rating: 8.5 | Championship Manager 2008 PC
I can't tell how many times I've heard 'Oh, this isn't Football Manager' (aka World Soccer Manager). Of course it isn't, it's not supposed to be. People tend to look at this game with FM in mind, and how shallow this game is compared to Sports Interactive's big seller.

Get some things on your minds: It is shallow compared to FM. It is 'lightweight' compared to FM. It's graphs are poor compared to FM, it's sound and lack of depth as well, are not even close to FM.

I play both.

What's the problem with it? My laptop won't run FM, so when I'm out of town I can settle for a quick CM game. In fact, how many times have we sat down in front of a computer for a 'quick FM game'? The loading time alone makes it a burden.

Championship Manager offers a quick dosage of Manager simulations. You play, develop youth, buy ready-made formulas (who doesn't buy Jorda, or doesn't offer a new contract to Bojan at the beggining of the game?). You can do your own formations, you can make your team excellent with little money.

There's nothing wrong with that.

For heaven's sake, people, stop being so attached to how unbeliavably realistic FM is, this isn't FM.

Stop reviewing both games, look into this one alone. It's a game for quick, easy-access fun, that will deliver enough satisfaction to make sure you return for a new 'fix'. It doesn't even come close to being a simulation of the works of a Manager, but you're pretty way off if you think FM does.

I can buy McGeady, I can tell Eboue to f* off my Arsenal squad, I can nail Chelsea 4-0 at the Bridge and I can win the league.

I call that satisfaction. It isn't enough for you? Fine, go play FM. It's pretty fun as well. But this is Championship Manager, a series that remains in my heart for being the first Manager simulation I've ever played. I led Vasco da Gama (my team here in Brazil) to the national title. It didn't evolve significantly since then. Calling it terrible?

I call it old-fashioned fun.