CM 99/00 Review by Gamespot

With England versus Scotland just around the corner and the domestic season simmering along nicely before the big post-Christmas boil, there couldn't be a better time for one of the giants of the modern PC football management scene to make a welcome return. Yes, the best-selling Championship Manager series is back, not in the form of a brand new game, but rather a significant update to the mighty stat-fest that is Championship Manager 3.

Championship Manager Season 99/00 is the latest addition to the Collyer brothers' long-running footy management saga and, as the title would suggest, it modifies the existing game engine, updating all the club rosters, squads and personnel - which are accurate to the 1st of October this year. As you'd expect from such a well designed series, the research is absolutely meticulous and not only extends to accurate ratings for both full and reserve team squads in all of the 16 major leagues covered by the game, but also encompasses all the new rule changes, awards and competitions which have been introduced this year, including the new UEFA Champions League format and Manchester United's foray into the World Club Championship.

But this being a product of real footy fanatics the list of enhancements doesn't stop there. Out on the pitch, CM 99/00 also benefits from a suitably refined match engine and the most immediate change is more detailed commentary sequences which really build up a convincing portrait of each and every footballing encounter. It's very reminiscent of listening to the actual match commentary on something like Radio 5 Live or Capital Gold - and with some additional performance indicators, allows you to see a more complete picture of the physical and tactical battle going on out on the pitch. Also new for this version are more complete profiles of the much maligned men in black, the referees, with full Red and Yellow card tables allowing you to monitor whether it might be prudent to leave your bad boys on the bench.

The rise of player power

The rise of player power, one of the spectres which is increasingly coming to haunt the modern game, is also represented - the CM 99/00 stars grumble about everything from wages and bonuses to the state of training facilities and even whether the club should expand their stadium. Oh yes, and prepare for all the real joys of modern management like having to deal with agent approaches from the likes of Eric "Monster" Hall, dressing room disgruntlement and rabid transfer speculation of the worst kind. Mind you, players aren't shy about giving their reasons for refusing transfers or why they won't sign that sparkling new contract - and these new characteristics mean that CM 99/00's players really come alive and develop much more personality than in previous games.

On the positive side your managerial task is made much easier by an improved scouting system which allows you to assign scouts to leagues, regions, tournaments or even individual players, while the new role of Youth Scouts allows you to search for emerging talent. You should also prepare for Mister Chairman to play more of a role, with the cigar-smoking backroom boys capable of giving you their opinion on everything from the fans' reaction to what the media think of your management style and even which players they think you should buy or sell. While it doesn't affect the established bigger clubs in the game, if you can make a success of struggling down at the lower end of the leagues, you'll also be able to explore the possibilities of developing your own ground or indeed even buying a new one (if Mister Chairman will let you).

Although CM 99/00 isn't really a brand new game, it's still a hugely compelling experience in its own right. With a host of enhancements, refinements and extra features feeding the mighty Championship Manager 3 game engine and, of course, the very latest in data, players and statistics, this version is certainly the most authoritative and wide ranging statistical representation of the modern game of soccer yet. Bow down before the Champ and prepare to feed your footy addiction.