Thanks to official licenses from football associations, TFM features authentic team logos and player statistics. Although most of the game is static (i.e. screen after screen of spreadsheet-like menus and charts), the actual action on the pitch is rendered in 3D in real time with multiple camera angles, though the fidelity is disappointingly poor compared to other games of the same period (the 1997 version of FIFA Soccer for example). Fortunately, this weakness does not hurt the appeal of the overall game too much, since TFM is definitely not an action-oriented game. Besides, you can choose to view only match highlights if you are not interested in 3D pizzazz.

The predecessor to TFM, Football Limited (Bundesliga Manager Hattrick in German) was accused of not being very accessible to beginners. TFM corrects that problem by offering excellent tips and advice throughout, as well as making the user interface much more intuitive and customizable. You can re-map menus to the function keys. The game is as deep as Football Limited, only there seems to be less micro-management. You can assign specific training routines to individual players, plan tactics for the next game by studying the opponent's records, and deal with the press in post-match interviews.

If you are even remotely interested in football management, Total Football Management is well worth your time. It may not be as popular or extensive as the venerable Championship Manager series (the club finances are in fact deeper and more realistic), but it is deep enough to deserve a permanent place on your hard drive. Two thumbs up!