LMA Manager 2006 Review (PS2) By champman81

9 / 10
12 Apr 2006 at 13:41

Review by: champman81

LMA Manager 2006 for PS2

Well, I did it! It had to be done! I have stumped up the extra £20 and upgraded to LMA Manager 2006.

Introduction:
I only purchased LMA Manager 2005 about a month ago (I know it’s a bit dated but I found it in a bargain bin!), but I have been so impressed that I decided that an upgrade was required. And as many have quoted before “if it aint broke, don’t fix it!” Well, at least the guys at Codemasters have listened to that phrase.

Game Overview:
LMA Manager 2006 has to be the most detailed of the LMA series and if you thought that the features and database on the 2005 version was good, the guys at Codemasters have taken it to a new level this time.
The game has a new style compared to the 05 version and boasts a better and more detailed transfer market (you now have to negotiate with players and rival managers a lot more to complete a transfer in the 06 version). They have kept the impressive 3D match view (which had to be a must) and the stadium construction has also been improved. But, this time, they have added some fantastic new features to top it off including 3D training matches, 3D manager creator (Note: you will require an eyetoy to use this feature) and an interactive TV channel. All this adds up to one of the best football management games available and a real rival to the Championship Manager series.
Some of the other new features added to the 06 version are:
·Two new divisions added from the German Leagues.
·One new division added from the French Leagues.
·A new looking Football One section.
·A new and revised training section.
·New manager statistics now available.
I’ve seen it mentioned elsewhere that graphically LMA Manager 2006 could be improved, to me the graphics are fine. The 3D Match view is fine, and, ok, it may need a little tweaking in places but it does the job.
Via a network connection you still have the ability to download updates that will keep your game updated, stats wise, through the January transfer window and up to the end of the current season, although your next update will probably have to be the 07 version. Like the 05 version, you have the two-menu system which you scroll through using the L1, L2, R1 and R2 buttons and the navigation through these seems simple enough.
Within LMA Manager 2006 you have two game settings, which allows you to turn off the view of the players ability bars. This will test your managerial ability even greater as you will have to use statistical analysis of players during matches and training rather than using the mentioned bars when selecting your best team.
Probably, the one complaint I do have about LMA Manager 2006 is that some of the teams still don’t have their authentic strips. Hopefully this may be an improvement in the 07 version.

Conclusion:
LMA Manager 2006 is, without doubt, the greatest manager simulation game available on a console. Sure, some improvements could be made in the 07 version but, I have to say, not many will be required. If you don’t own a football management game for your console then I highly recommend that if you are looking to purchase one then make it this one. I’ve now seen it selling for around the £20 mark and you’ll be getting good value for money as far as prices for games go.
If you are waiting for the 07 version instead I’m pretty certain that won’t disappoint either.
Bring on LMA Manager 2007!
Overall I rate LMA Manager 2006 for PS2 9 stars out of 10.

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