You knew better. When you signed the kid 5 years ago for a bargain price, everyone told you that it was a bad decision. The assistant manager said he hadn't the skill to become a world-class player. Your coaches gave you poor reports. Even the fans seemed disappointed that you signed this travesty of a "hot prospect". Yet there he is, top scorer for the club and a key factor in your title push... This is just an example of the type of silent thrill you get from playing a Championship Manager game. It's an underestimated genre, often overlooked for the instant gratification of FIFA and PES. And yet the joy you get when something goes in your favour, or a team can't renew a contract for a player you want SOOOO bad, or the sorrow of losing your star player for a month or your best players requesting transfers, is an unbeatable feeling. It's a slower pace that allows you to understand your team's strengths and weaknesses, and allows you to become emotionally attached to your team's performance as if it were real football...a hard task to accomplish. The latest game in the series, which I should have started reviewing 2 paragraphs ago, is at a glance merely Championship Manager 4 but without the bugs. However, a few little details have been added to the game that, although not exactly revolutionary, still warrant a purchase if you own the previous games. The gameplay is far more balanced and realistic, with the intelligence of the players on the 2D match engine increased greatly. No longer do they waste empty spaces or perform bizarre passes when through on goal. It's still by no means perfect...sometimes you'll be screaming at the player to pass it to Owen, who's in acres of space with a clear run on goal...but it's still of high quality, and ensures you won't be too angry with player intelligence. Although the intelligence was fairly low when, while Dudek was off recieving treatment, Jamie Carragher gave it to the opposition instead of kicking the ball out, leaving Wolves with an empty goal to ruin my undefeated streak. THANK YOU JAMIE CARRAGHER, IDIOT SUPREME!!! Sorry, angry memory. Chill... *breathes* Confirmation, however, of how the game draws you into it, making you feel as if you really are the manager of a left back with more feet than brain cells. If you were to ask for the definition of a perfect football management game, I'd say Championship Manager 03/04. The graphics are poor, but unimportant, in a game that revolves around statistics and tactics, providing the player with challenge enough to warrant continued playing, yet not so difficult as to verge on the impossible. With a limitless number of seasons, the game will last you a LONG time...until the next version comes out at any rate...and will consume your life in the process. As they say in the business, "The boy done good."
Other Helpful Reviews for Championship Manager: Season 03/04
I have played this game more than any other game in my entire life!!! Thats because it is so addictive !!! The gameplay ROCKS!!!! Basiclly you can be any soccer team you wish in most of the world , and manage them . ... Read Full Review
This is the best football management game ive ever played for several. it, unlike fifa manager and lma has magnificent detail in the player attributes, with the perfect amount of detail and things to do, and the game... Read Full Review
