This a great, but flawed game.
Let's get the bad out of the way - the UI really needs some work, finding things and getting meaningful information from it is more difficult than you first realise. Given the gameplay is essentially playing with a UI, it needs to be on-point and it just isn't. It can be described as an email/inbox system, click through each item, say yes/no to stuff, work in sub-menus to sort things, and most of it is just noise. And things that are important are presented really poorly.
Its difficult to prepare for matches when its just bombarding you with stuff you don't really care that much about. I wish they would allow you to setup a "workflow" of just focusing on each day in the run up to your next match i.e. prepare training, review your squad & performances after games, check in on progress & development, study the opposition and prepare tactics, just take on each day at a time until the big game. But no, we get an email inbox system that it forces you to manage and the options to de-clutter it are hidden away in dark corners.
Moving onto the great stuff.
Watching the matches unfold and learning if you're a tactical mastermind or an idiot who's about to get found out. Dramatic moments such as last minute goals, red cards, penalties, they're presented well. Phases of end to end action, scoring a goal, conceding, then scoring again. Watching your team improve gives a sense of achievement. Winning big games against local rivals. Landing a new contract with your club after winning a relegation battle (Accrington Stanley!). Watching your budget increase after a good mid-table campaign. Seeing a young player truly flourish, then the inevitable emotional rollercoaster of having to sell them for a few million to improve your team overall.
There is a great football management simulation in this game hiding under a poor UI. But don't let it put you off.
I've never played FM beyond the demos, but I finally decided to gave this one a punt since I got it on sale, and I recommend you do the same - £/$20 at most. Give it go.
