FIFA Manager 08 vs FM

martinw · 01-14-2008, 02:52 PM

Manual

An odd choice maybe, but if you thought the FM manual was bad, try the FIFA one. Nowhere does actually tell you what the symbols for a player status mean, nor does hovering the mouse button over them help. Also, what the hell are the moving coloured slicers at the top of the match screen?

Thumping home victory to FM. FM 4 - 2 FIFA

martinw · 01-14-2008, 02:52 PM

Transfers

Whilst transfers in FM can be frustrating, at least the system is relatively simple. FIFA scores in presentation (you get the picture of the player in a nice little folder), but trying to decipher everything takes time. There are also too many options for the contract. (do you really want to consider agent's fees?)

Having said that, at least you can sell players you don't want for a decent price. If FM07 had the same balance as FM06, then I would score a win for FM, but as it is difficult to sell even quality players most of the time, I'll give this as a draw.

FM 4 - 2 FIFA.

martinw · 01-14-2008, 02:53 PM

And Finally.....

FIFA's advantage is that it's a game. It is not a realistic simulation of football management. It takes you into areas that few football managers would ever enter (stadium design, the price of scarves and footballs at the shop, although you can get others to do that). It does allow you to see the training facilities and how you've improved them, something that FM (thankfully) abstracts out with its numbers for the training and youth facilities.

FM's advantage is that its the most realistic simulation of football management around. It is abstracting out things that are on the periphery (how many managers take training?), and ignoring the flippant (getting your wife pregnant). It focuses on football as a whole, not just the player.

But which do I prefer?

I am a casual gamer. As much as I've enjoyed playing FM it's too picky and too fiddly for my liking (I hated the Sims as you had to control everything about their lives). I want to be able to pick up a game and have some fun for an hour or seven.

I enjoyed FM 06 because there were fewer frustrations with it over selling and buying players and that compensated for the match engine. To make FM07 enjoyable I have to use genie scout and FMM, as well as save the game before each match in case of, in my opinion, stupid results.

I am not tempted by FM08, but I shall wait and see what FM09 brings.

So despite the winning margin of FM, I prefer FIFA as it is more fun. (Does that make me a closet Geordie?)

I hope this has been informative and I am happy to answer questions. However, it may take me some time to reply as I have to work to feed the kids and pay the bills.

Over to you.

Fred · 01-14-2008, 02:57 PM

FIFA Needs an extra point in graphics with licensed logos and kits.

George Graham · 01-14-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by martinw:
2d vs 3d

The main disadvantage is John Motson and Ally McCoist.

Quote:

Originally posted by martinw:
Commentary

The game commentary (text mode) in FIFA is much better, and also funnier in places. It is more detailed and you get a full history in front of you instead of the abridged version you see in the game report in FM. Sometimes you get to shout an instruction at the players when they have the ball (shoot/dribble/pass), and also decide whether to give the ball back quickly when it lands at your feet. You can also instruct your player on how to take his penalty and where to put it. This can get you into trouble as I found out on two occasions when I was sent to the stands.

In one game I was winning comfortably and the ball rolled to me in my technical area with a few minutes to go. I had the option to kick it away, but I quickly gave the ball to the opposition and the player was so surprised he accidentally threw it to one of my players.

It's certainly an area that FM could learn from. FIFA wins this one.

FM 0 - 1 FIFA

Sorry.

George Graham · 01-14-2008, 02:59 PM

Argh! Numbnuts here. Missed the (text mode) bit. :o

Themistofelis · 01-14-2008, 02:59 PM

FIFA is far less annoying
In FIFA you can mod AI and player's movement and development and effects of training and almost everything.
FM has better DB
FIFA has all those stadium building , facilities, youth academies , economics.
3D is horrible , 2D is far better
You can turn sucking off and actually even buy a club , thats super.

(no score changes FM used it's super goalie)

Barside · 01-14-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by martinw:
Depth

This is also a difficult one. Wheras you get more into your personal life in FIFA (you can decide to get your wife/girlfriend pregnant), you get more footballing depth in FM.

In FIFA you can design a new stadium and decide what scarves to sell in the shop. In FM you can hire as many coaches/physios as the club will allow. FIFA also has an FM05 style of training.

They're different, that's all

No score draw FM 2 - 2 FIFA

I would call this one a FM win, the depth that you've mentioned in Fifa all appear to ben non football related which for a football manager simulation means they surely don't count.

Barside · 01-14-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by martinw:
I have played a full season of FIFA Manager 08 (henceforth known as FIFA) and several dozen of Football Manager 07 (henceforth known as FM). I have looked at several aspects of both for comparison:

I;ve just noticed the exact verison you are comparing.

Surely to be fauir it shoudl have been FIFA07 v FM07 or FIFA08 v FM08.