LMA Manager 2003

"A great game <period>."

Intoduction-
If you played through LMA2002 and enjoyed that then you'll love this game. Partly because its more or less the same game, which isn't a bad thing since it was a fantastic game and this just makes it that margin better. With updated players, teams, league tables, etc and then new transfer market open/closing date to add a more realistic effect to the game.

GamePlay- 8/10
The navigational R1 and R2 controls are a little tricky to get into a first but once you get used to them its as easy as pie. You are able to become very soaked up into the game and the exciting/realistic match atmosphere will keep you playing for hours.

Sound- 7/10
The game has some pretty good background music on the start menu, main screen, etc, but its nothing spectacular. When your watching the Highlights of your match you are treated by commentary by Gary Linekar and Alan Hansen who talk about your match, but after a while you notice their lines are pretty much repeated.

Graphics- 8/10
The game starting sequence has very nice graphics but what makes this game (and the LMA series) stand out from any other manager game is the in-match graphics, which are superb, very realistic shots, saves, fouls, tackles and again this is just one aspect of the game which will absorb you into it for hours.

Replayability- 9/10
This is a huge game and each career can last up to 20 seasons, with job offers from other clubs at the end of each season. Also you'll keep starting over again with different clubs just to adjust and get the feel of managing that club. The two player option also allows you to compete in season or just in a friendly against another player. With again add to the replay value of this game.

Options- 8/10
There are many options throughout this game and if Managers do it in real life, then you can do it on this game. The options range from everything from multi-million pound transfer deals to How much a player trains/rests each week. It is a very detailed game.

To buy or to rent-
If this is your first LMA/Manager game and you are unsure whether you will like it or not, then its probably best to rent it, otherwise if you've played LMA before and you liked it then I highly recommend this game for you.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/27/03, Updated 03/27/03