Okay, it's only in a computer game, but what a game! The Official Southampton Management game is now available so On The Cross has been burning the midnight oil, taking the Saints to glory.
There has been a glut of Football Management games available down the years and I've played nearly all of them. So it takes something special to grab my attention and divert me away from Championship Manager.
While behemoth games such as CM allow you to play in countless leagues throughout the world, many of us just want to take control of our own club. I definitely fall into this category and the first thing I always do is see how far I can take the Saints. So, to have a game that focuses on my club is a god send.
Don't be fooled into thinking that future personalised skins of the likes of CM will ever match the sheer attention to detail that Just Football have put into this game. Right from the first screen you are taken easily into the world of Southampton FC. Every screen has a great shot of the stadium, the training ground, the players or a behind the scenes picture. In addition, every graphic has a Saints theme to it and it really adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the game. There's a definite feeling of being part of something rather than being faced with an anonymous wall of figures that other products present.
As for the interface itself, it's simplicity itself as well as looking superb. In no time you will have a firm grasp of the tactics and options of the game. This has far more to do with Just Football's approach than any lack of detail in the game. Just Football aren't encumbered by the baggage of previous releases, and so they have come up with a clean, fresh approach to the interface. There an ease of gameplay in the Southampton game which is rarely matched in other products.
The screens are well laid out, with plenty of space to show off the graphics, while providing easy access to all the options you need through the use of pulldown menus. The game makes it very easy to jump between tactics, training and transfers. To make things even easier for the beginner, your assistant manager is available for advice, while their is an optional setting which activates tutorial comments which is an excellent thought.
The Official Southampton title hits a perfect balance when it comes to the level of statistics within the game. The game supplies a solid level of statistics for each player. They are defined by sixteen key areas which covers everything you really need to know. There is no hint of the vast, and occasionally totally pointless, data analysis available in some other releases. Again, this seamlessness is due to the fresh approach, rather than the feeling that things have just been bolted on. The Southampton game tries to make everything as free flowing as possible, allowing you get on with the game without having to trawl through a lot of numbers.
In addition to the player stats, are complete histories, contract details and a separate form guide.
But what if you discover that the players you have are not quite what you want. While it must have been a shock to Just Football to discover that the Saints players weren't already the best around, they have rallied to come up with a great transfer players screen. The transfer systems of other products are often all over the place. In contrast, everything you want from the Southampton game is easily available. You can search by name, team, age, ability level, price status and position. Additionally, you can view and change the status of your own players easily and there is a constant reminder of how much you are currently spending on deals. The use of player ratings is a nice addition and really simplifies a number of issues that other products have in that they have no real way of comparing players.
Another area of the game that I was impressed with, was the training system. It's one of the best I've seen offering a good level of flexibility. Training is split between morning and afternoon sessions. A good number of training activities are available to allocate to each session and this can be applied across the different areas of the team. Over time the training will affect the player stats, so this is an important, and tricky, area to get right.
Of course, the real test of your players is in a match and Just Football has taken the tried a tested match commentary approach. The match commentary can be viewed in three levels of detail. The text appear sin a box on the left of another well designed screen, while the right side supplies additional information and room for shots of Saints when they score etc. Users of CM will know what to expect here.
The tactics screen is a nicely put together area of tried and tested components as well. Tactical changes are easy to arrange and all vital information is easy to spot. Nice touches include fitness bars easily placed under each player as well as player pictures beside the individual instructions which are available to each player. Instructions such as avoid injury and booking are welcome additions.
The tactics of your opponents are available as well as a match overview, player ratings and the man of the match.
Summary
Hopefully, this review should give you a rough look at some of the main areas of the game. Essentially, it will not be a disappointment for players used to the in depth detail of certain management games, while it's easy for beginners to this type of game. As I've said, don't underestimate the extra enjoyment having a Saints related game of this quality provides. The theme throughout the game will be a big selling point for Just Football and deservedly so, as it looks great.
Verdict
If you're a Saints fan with a computer, then this game is a must. Even those not enamoured with Football Management games will find this enjoyable (yes, I asked). If you haven't bought it already beg and plead to get it in your Christmas stocking !
The Official Southampton Management Game costs £24.99 and it's available from Southampton Club shops and good computer games shops including Game, HMV, Virgin, MVC and leading independents. In addition, you can purchase it online at the following:-
Buy it here from the JustFootball.net website
Buy it here from the official site