Pro Cycling Manager 2008

Reviewed by Kelaidis on Feb 21, 2009

Every new Pro Cycling Manager game has improved with the years, and Pro Cycling Manager 2008 is no exception. For the first time in the Pro Cycling Manager series you can now take on track racing in three different race modes. Keirin, sprint and elimination race all three avalible beginner, junior and professional difficulty.

Carrer mode:

Carrer mode gives you complete control over the team you chose, find sponsers, hire staff and sending out scouts is only the beginning of all the tasks you can perform. But most important of all is your riders, you should keep them in shape otherwise they won't be able to perform, and if they can't perform sponsor happiness will go down and you'll end up in the paper for the wrong reasons. Your main sponsors will have certian goals in mind for your team. Goals are rated 1 to 3 stars, 3 being the hardest race your sponsors want you to win, but carries the biggest reward.

As the season goes on there will be more races and you'll have more chances to prove your managing ability. You can improve your chances of winning by upgrading your gear. There is a variety of different frames, wheels and helmets each with a different star rating. You start out with the first 2 levels of frames, wheels and helmets from the different brands. To access the best gear avalible you will need to buy all the non-best gear first. You don't need to unlock any gear and can buy everything for your first day as manager.

Certain tours in career mode will have mountain sprints and normal sprints points to contest. Winning these will earn points towards the polka-dot (mountain sprint) and green (sprinter) jersey. Other jerseys include the white (best under 25 jears of age rider) and yellow (overall leader). If any rider in your team won a jersey your should look out for that rider in the next race of that tour to see him wearing it.

Track racing:

Available in three different race modes keirin, sprint and elimination which you can choose to take on in beginner, junior and professional difficulty. If you have a few minutes to play this is the way to go. Track races doesn't take more than ten minutes.

Sprint:

Takes place between 2 riders with only 3 laps. The first 2 laps are done at a super slow pace, with 3rd lap done at 110% effort. If you want to win this one you have to stick behind the other guy's wheel and pass him on the final few meters.

Keirin:

The race starts out paced at 50km/h and 3 laps to go. This is an all out sprint between 6 riders and there can be a maximum number of 5 rounds. After the selected number of rounds the rider with the best overall position is declared the overall winner.

Elimination:

16 Riders start out, with the last rider over the line every 2 laps eliminated. The last rider left is decared the winner.

Overall:

Graphics 8/10 - Not the best it can be, but good

Sound 6/10 - besides the music and commentary, there's not much

Gameplay 10/10 - excellent

Additional Info:

Price: £ 14.99

Availible platforms: PC, PSP

Website: http://www.cycling-manager.com

Published and distributed by Focus Home Interactive

PC specs: