The best manager mode in a console game yet but the gameplay still leaves something to be desired.
New gameplay features include on the fly tactics, which allow you to tap a derection on the D pad to give instructions on tactics for defense and offense. Pace control, which allows you to slow down our player and take a defender one on one or wait for support if on the attack. These new features are mild improvements but nothing ground shaking and defenitly nothing to surpass WE in the gameplay department.
However Fifa's manager mode, which was not fantastic last year has been almost completely revamped for the better. Now player transactions are much more realistic with transfers fees and per game salaries to factor into the mix. Team chemistry has also been introduced which descourages you from simply buying up everyone in site and completely changing your roster due to the fact the players would not no each other and would therefor become less effective as a team. Players also seem to improve or decline much faster then last year, for instance heading into a game my center mid Claudio Reyna (Go City) was an 82 and after was an 84 based on his form in the game. A welcome improvement over last year where players might not go up or down a point over the coarse of a year.
Over all Fifa 06 is an improvement over last years game with superb graphics and manager mode. Although the gameplay is not WE quality it is enough to keep you in it for the liscensed teams and leagues. The bottom line is if your a big international club fan that enjoys managing there beloved club with liscensed uniforms and players this is the game for you, if not wait for WE9.