Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15052 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Codemasters
• Released on: 2004-03-12
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review
Wisely keeping the core of operations pretty much in tact, LMA Manager 2004 is more about refinement than anything radical. But refined it certainly is, with improvements to be found right throughout the game. For those new to the franchise, LMA Manager works for several reasons. It's easily accessible, designed around a console controller and, when it gets to match day, gives you the option of watching a game rather than presenting you solely with rolling statistics. It's this match-day section that's always put it ahead of its console brethren, as not only is it visually healthy, it genuinely allows you to see your tactics work or fail before your eyes. Then, if things aren't going to plan, you can make interventions that have a real impact. This match-day section has been tightened notably for the 2004 release and now works better than ever.

Furthermore, the game has several other enhancements of note. The new expert mode, for instance. is a rock-solid challenge for those who like their games particularly tricky--and LMA Manager 2004 is no pushover as it stands. Then there's the added depth of the tactical side, which allows you to tweak your approach on a player-by-player basis. It's also worth noting that the number of statistics packed in have headed north: when combined with the freshly added leagues that have made their way into the game, the result is a very buoyant in-game transfer market.

Perhaps the biggest criticism you can level at it is that it hasn't really evolved an enormous amount. But that doesn't detract from the fact that LMA Manager 2004 is an exceptionally strong title that will keep you glued to your console for a very long time. --Simon Brew

Manufacturer's Description
Take the reins and become the professional team manager of one of the real-life football clubs from LMA Manager 2004's playable English, Scottish, French, German, Italian and Spanish leagues. The game has all the 2003/2004 season stats, with updated statistics for every player and all the transfers after the summer break. The 2004 version is a true advancement for the series that's renowned as the most emotive and entertaining football management game designed exclusively for console players. Complete with a whole new look, more flexible management options, and even more player stats, LMA Manager 2004 also introduces an engrossing new Fantasy Team game mode and, for seasoned managers, a challenging Expert setting in the full game.

Customer Reviews

Re-inventing the wheel.
LMA 2004 is shaping up to be THE console management game for 2004. Codemasters have really listened to the fans and implemented plenty of new features to keep ahead of the pack.

Rather than being a simple tweak of the stats, LMA 2004 is an all-new version with many aspects being completely rebuilt from scratch. The popular 3D match engine now uses a form of the Club Football engine, and now runs slicker and with more animations than ever before.

There is a brand new Fantasy Mode, enabling you to design your own club with kit, badge and stadium, and then pick from the massive database of players, which now includes players from Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

Finding LMA 2003 a bit easy? You'll be keen to try the new Expert mode. Players will drop in and out of form in a much more realistic manner, and you'll have to trust your intuition, and your scouts if you're not going to buy a donkey that's just having a few decent games.

Players can now be assigned individual tactics and placed anywhere on the pitch - that 1-3-3-1-2 can be yours should you so desire.

Codemasters have also taken the step of implementing mid-season job changes, so don't be surprised if you get your P45 after a dodgy start to the season.

The Xbox version will also be able to use Xbox Live to download stats for next season, and the headset can be used to shout commands at your players during a match.

Everything else has been tweaked and polished, and the slight delay has meant that all the January transfers will be in. You'd be mad to miss out.

Pure Brilliant!
I got this game as soon as it was released because I had heard so much good things about the LMA series, like being able to watch the match and control the tactics during the match. Anyway, that is only one good thing about this game amongst many many more. Some key things in the game are:

-A wide choice of players in the transfer market
-Individual player training
-Being able to build a new stadium or new stands
-Give your team squad numbers
-A hell of a lot more

You can choose to manage a team from:

-All 4 Scottish leagues
-All 4 English leagues
-Italy Serie A and B
-Spanish Primera and Segunda
-French Divisions 1 and 2
-German liga 1 and 2

As well as this, you can also create your own team and place it in any of the leagues from these countries. If you do create a team then it is pretty easy to manage them. If for example, you created a team and put them in the SPL, then your contract objective would be to avoid relegation but with the money you are given you can win the league!

Overall, a very good game and If you like a good management game then this is the one for you. Only one big surprise in the game was Kilmarnock winning the SPL and Berwick Rangers getting promoted to the SPL then beating Celtic.

Best management sim on console
LMA Manager 2004 is as addictive as Championship Manager on the PC. if you have a console, either playstation 2 or xbox, then i highly recommend this game. its in depth statistics is superb and improved on its already impressive player database.
the new 3d match engine allows you to make changes on what you have seen during the match which is a first for LMA. the fantasy football team is a delightful touch to the new game, where you can create your very own team starting from scratch with designing the kit, badge, stadium and building your squad. If you are a fan of the LMA series or just like to try a management sim then this is the game to choose.