A new football season means a host of new footy games, and EA are back with the updated version of their renowned FA Premier League Manager. This time around, it’s the 2001/2002 version, and all rule changes made since last season have been incorporated for the full-on experience.
Like most contemporary football management games, FA Premier League Manager 2002 isn’t just about picking a team and telling them how to play. For ‘manager’, also read Chairman, Chief Executive, Coach, Financial Director and all-round string-puller. Want a quiet life, do you? You’re in the wrong job.
For those who absolutely must torture themselves by subjecting themselves to a virtual career in football management, the FA Premier League Manager series has always come up with the goods. 2002 is no exception. In addition to the aforementioned rule changes, mostly involving the transfer market, transfer windows and Bosman rulings, there are now 21 leagues to get involved in, all officially licensed too, so the names of all players will be recognisable. All 35,000 of them, if you really know your stuff.
The game’s interface is easy to navigate, with many short cuts to frequently used screens. Another helpful feature that you cannot fail to notice in FA Premier League Manager 2002 is the scrolling information bar at the bottom of the screen. This is the quickest source of information from all the other clubs in the game, from all over the world.
Computer AI has been improved, with your machine doing its best to outbid you in the transfer market. In-game too, there is a noticeable improvement in AI. Fortunately, you have the opportunity to change your tactics as the game goes on, enabling you to maybe pull out all the stops and get that last minute winner that’ll take you to the top of the table. On-screen commentary tells you about everything that goes on during the game.
The depth of involvement in FA Premier League Manager 2002 is such that you may well forget about your day job, your studies, whatever. It’s hugely entertaining, but only if you’re in the correct frame of mind to play. You have to be a football fan too: there are some idiosyncrasies in the soccer world that will cause confusion for folks not familiar with The Beautiful Game. If you’ve never dipped your toe in the over-populated world of football management games, Electronic Arts’ latest offering is a wise purchase and a good place to start.