Rock Manger by Pan Interactive and Monsterland is one of the newest additions to the ever growing Dreamcatcher label.  As a manager trying to make a name for yourself in the cut throat biz of record production it is up to you to create the hottest new sound.  With over 25 musicians to choose from, eight missions, music studios, record labels,  album designs, record stores, gigs, and press contacts to worry about, Rock Manager offers a startling amount of challenges and diversity.

Rock Manager utilizes a standard point and click system.  Except, when accessing one of the many options such as the sound studio or band room the game moves in accelerated real time.  Every three seconds in the real world equals a week in the hectic world of Rock Manager.  This can be a problem as you first learn to navigate the city screen which is necessary to navigate through the games many features.  Concert dates and record releases tend to sneak up on you when you're still trying to figure out where the record store is.   The level of control in Rock Manager is astounding.  From creating the band, to recording the album, to scheduling advertising blitzes and releasing press packets to the media, rock manager does its best to emulate every aspect of the music industry.  However, often it is not immediately apparent what effects your actions have.  Lacking the detailed input of games such as the Sims, Rock Manager can leave you in the dark as to what effects your actions may have until its too late.

The artistic style of the game is something like a toned down Crank Yankers (a puppet show on Comedy Central).  Also similar to Crank Yankers is the games foul language.  This isn't a game for the easily offended.  But those of us willing to overlook, or even enjoy the occasional cursing rant by our rock stars in training, Rock Manager offers some great voiceovers.  In addition, the music is fun to listen to and work with.  Many styles are represented so you're bound to find something you like.  

Rock Manager is a great parody of the real record industry.  If you ever wished you could be apart of your favorite band or put some annoying rock star in their place Rack Manager may be the game for you.

The game is rated Mature.

Gameplay: 7
A little to fast and not enough immediate in game info on what your actions do.

Graphics: 8.5 
Hip, funny style.

Sound: 9
Great voiceovers, and music that was fun to mess around with.

Difficulty: Medium
Pretty easy to learn but you have to be very specific in what you want to do or you'll loose valuable weeks deciding.

Concept: 8.5 
This was not a game I would have thought to make, but I'm sure glad somebody did.

Overall: 8
A fun and fast paced sim for those interested in what it takes to make a star.