With almost perfect precision timing, Pro Cycling Manager 2008 arrives on the PC that coincides with both the Tour de France and the Olympics which gives gamers once of the most realistic cycling games to have ever graced the PC. Featuring state-of-the-art graphics, in-depth gaming modes and solid gameplay, Pro Cycling Manager is as close to most of us will get to experiencing this prestigious racing event.

In Pro Cycling Manager 2008, you'll play as the general manager of one of 65 official cycling teams and will handle all aspects of a professional team's season. Numerous duties, including team recruiting, transfers, contracts, training and handling finances are required for you to create and manage the most competitive team. Throughout the 180 real-time 3D playable races, it's up to you to determine and put into action the best strategies by combining tactics, attacks, relays and much more. With so many options to consider that will affect the outcome of the race, you are guaranteed action packed intense stages. [From the developer]

Features

The management side of the game has been given extra depth with many new elements. It has an entirely new stamina system, a more realistic progression curve for each rider and a new young talent recruiting system with a more aggressive AI. This year, the racing is even more realistic, with the most advanced rider AI yet plus highly detailed rider models and animations. The 2008 edition also includes a new improved user interface, lighting system and more detailed, richer environments with a large variety of buildings and landscapes. For the first time in the series, impressive “track racing” events are available. Choose track events such as cycle speedway, Kierin and elimination to challenge your team’s track racing skills. All of these features combined make this new edition the most complete and exciting recreation of professional cycling.

Before we could embark on the race, we needed to install the title which is relatively simple, however is quite a lengthy process, however once installed, we were greeted to a slick interface and some great background music ambience.

In its essence, Pro Cycling Manager is a sim racing game that has the gamer controlling a pro-cycling team as they race on a variety of different circuits, competing against a wide plethora of competitors from around the world. Just check out some of the screenshots for the attention to detail, quite stunning and complex at times.

Fortunately the game contains a great tutorial mode that will teach you the basics of the title before you engage in the main gameplay that is great for those a little unsure of these cycling events. The learning curve of the title is rather steep to master, however the tutorial will let you start cycling almost immediately, however to truly get anywhere, you need to plan your attacks and races.

Once you created your team and assigned a leader, you can almost begin racing but where the title does come into its own is through its defence and offence tactics.

For instance, while racing, you need to give your riders a variety of orders such as hold their position or attack and fortunately each of your team mates has a coloured bar that will assist in your tactics.

This bar will assist you with attacks and energy as you vie for top position. Although it may sound simple at first, the AI of the game is quite competitive and will challenge you at some of the most frustrating times during the game but it's all part of the fun.

Graphically, the title is a visual treat on the PC that is extremely realistic at times and almost looks like you are watching the Tour de France on TV. The background environments are a visual treat in the title and some of the attention to detail is quite impressive.

The star of the game are the racers themselves who move with a human-like grace and interact well with the gaming environment. There are also some great lighting effects which go hand-in-hand with the gameplay. As with the graphics, the sound effects are perfect as is the background ambient sound track which interacts well with the gameplay.

In conclusion Pro Cycling Manager 2008 is a sturdy game on the PC that is definitely one for the lovers of sport simulations as the realism is quite unparalleled. Graphically, the title is a visual treat and does help immerse you into this exciting sports title, however if you're hoping for something more hands on, then you might want to look elsewhere.