Overall Description:
Welcome to the review of the Schütz DB 2007 v1.0, I will look at each feature that comes with the package and give my opinion. I tested out the game with the American HealthNet team. Installing the pack takes longer than any other databases as it wants to extract the file into RadSport Manager, one of many features that suggests this database is aimed mainly at Germans.
Graphics
The database comes with updated jerseys and mini-jerseys for the 2007 season. Schutz has not made these himself and they are just a compilation of work from graphics artists amongst the PCM community. The mini-jerseys could well be made by Schutz but I find them a little fat and ugly, and look like resized versions of the actual jersey.
 One excellent part of this pack is the many, many photos supplied to almost all of the riders. Although this is something often taken for granted, it is an important feature.
The pack comes with new flags for Bermuda. Namibia, and Costa Rica. This seems a little pointless as between these countries there is one Costa Rican and that’s it. Bermuda’s Tyler Butterfield is in the database, but is listed as American.
Overall Editing
There are 61 teams to choose from with all major teams available. One notable difference is that instead of ending with multiple 0s the budget seems to include a random mix of numbers after the original amount. Unfortunately, Cya Top Tour remains, having not been changed to the ProTour.
While the database boasted of a 2007 calendar, the pack came with only 61 new stages, compiling just 11 different races. These races seem to be mainly German or Austrian with 1 or 2 exceptions. Most of the dates for the other races seem to be in-line for 2007 but you will have to make do with the default stages. There is another major drawback with the races (Unless you are german-speaking) and that is the fact that all race names are in German. So, you may start your season at the Australische Meiterschaft, before moving on to the Qatar Rundfahrt, followed in a month or so by the ProTour opener Paris - Nizza. Most of these names are easily translatable for a cycling fan that knows roughly when races take place, but otherwise it could be a problem.
Most of the national champions seem to be updated to what they were at the start of the season, and the Australian one is updated to 2007 champ Darren Lapthorne. There are a few countries missed, including Great Britain.
Stats
At last I come to stats. Here are the best riders in the database:
 While this may seem good, overall the stats lack depth and detail and it seems Schutz does not know much about the strengths and weaknesses of many of the riders. An example of this is that around two-thirds of the riders have a time trial stat of less than 60! There is not a huge amount of talented unsigned riders that you can sign either, or any with a high potential. Here are the best free riders:
Other
When you ask for a compensation amount for a riders, when turned down as usual you get a message from the team and rider in question. The message from the rider comes in French!
Young Welsh talent Geraint Thomas is listed as Thomas Gerait.
Grade
Graphics: 7.5/10
It comes with Jerseys and Mini-Jerseys but that is about it, other than the rider photos.
Stats: 6/10
The top riders are generally given decent skills but the stats are not so good for the majority of riders.
Editing: 7/10
While the transfers and national champions are mostly up to date, the race names, cya top tour, and some of the race dates are not as impressive.
Overall: 7/10
A decent database but there are too many flaws for it to be worth playing for multiple seasons. |
