FIFA Manager 13 (PC)

FIFA Manager 13 brings the hardcore football team resource, people and strategy management that EA's more 'on pitch action' can't indulge in. This is the place for the soccer control freak, the detail addict and the brilliant, game-winning thinker.

This year's 2013/14 season iteration introduces EA Sports' Team Dynamics system. This is a brand new feature that concentrates on the role of the Trainer and provides a more strategic element to the game. The Trainer's task is to pay close attention to the team dynamics as produced via the highly contested and contestable relationships, egos and goals of individual squad members.

The gamer as Trainer is provided with an overview of the squad's internal pecking order, its rivalries and personality clashes, as well as the personal goals and disappointments of individual team and squad members.

As part of this system individual player objectives now have a special role: some team members will see leadership roles within the group as key to their self-images and success profiles. Others will require less pressure and more creativity.

Also added into the mix are two new features called the Team Matrix and the Hierarchy Pyramid - both aid the gamer in identifying which players are excelling and which are facing their own challenges going forwards (or even at the back or in midfield). These sub-systems also enable the gamer to balance player rivalries as well as how much to they need to spend understanding and setting player expectations.

Aside from this addition to the managerial tasks, the Transfer Market remains at the heart of the game. There are now more than 40 criteria to weigh up when making their decisions on player acquisition or disposal. The Next Season Planner helps this and other tricky processes by enabling plan-ahead your future team in detail. This can help with examining the effect of integrating potential newcomers into the team, and it also enables trialing new talent.

One other major improvement to the way the managerial merry-go-round can be enjoyed in FIFA Manager 2013 is the improved look and feel. Higher resolution graphics plus new fan banners have been integrated in order to heighten stadia atmospherics. Fans now wear shirts, scarves and jackets that show off their team colours, just like real life.

Importantly for actual management the 3D game option has been refined, and tactical orders and individual instructions to players now have seamless settings which enable gamers to further fine-tune their tactical plans.