Having been signed up for the stress-test BETA for the last week, I feel it’s time to lay down some first impressions of the game. Needless to say, I’ve already pre-ordered the game proper, which launches on the 27th of this month.
More after the click —>
The first thing that attacks you in FML is how different it is to Football Manager 08 – whilst retaining a sense of familiarity, looking for your choice of screen can be a bit disorientating at first. This is mainly due to the extensive ‘gutting’ of the mechanics in order to transform the game into something that will play nice on-line. For example, the training system has been completely removed as has the scouting system. Instead, you are given a set of skills (you can choose an initial set at the start of the game) that you can learn in return for bonuses in various areas. In order to train your players, you can learn coaching skills in the basics or very specific areas, which will progress players’ training in notches of 5%.
Scouting is a very interesting affair; with only basic scouting skills, you will be unable to find players in the filter menu below a certain reputation. You will be able to find players if you search their exact name, however they will be grayed out and you will be unable to sign them until you learn higher coaching skills. This can be slightly annoying at first (especially if you have a certain player in mind) but the value of it becomes obvious later on in the game.
