Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is a football game that feels, almost wholeheartedly, like it’s not really about football. This is a sports drama through and through, focusing on the interpersonal relationships, the individual journeys, and the yearning for acceptance that epitomises our teenage years, rather than sporting glory. You play as Destin Bellows, a young man with a heart condition, who appears to hate football and attends South Cirrus Academy, a school where football is banned. None of this really screams the word ‘football’ – or ‘soccer’ if you’re so inclined – and yet, Inazuma Eleven...

INAZUMA ELEVEN: Victory Road may have been years in the making, but it was absolutely worth the wait. A massive game with plenty to do, and one fans of the franchise absolutely have to play.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road perfectly blends JRPG mechanics with football to deliver a unique and refreshing experience. The story is beautifully presented, featuring high-quality cutscenes and an excellent soundtrack that enhances its emotional beats. While the main campaign does suffer from some pacing issues, it remains a strong tale with a satisfying conclusion. Add in a wide range of modes, and you’re left with an excellent package that’s absolutely bursting with content. A fantastic return to the pitch, Victory Road captures the heart of the series while pushing it forward.

INAZUMA ELEVEN: Victory Road is the long-awaited sequel to an underrated series of soccer-based RPGs and it's one jam-packed game.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road does so many things right it's easy to ignore its flaws, but they are there and could be deal breakers if you only have a passing interest in either football or the anime that inspired this game. However, give it a try and you're going to see why the IP is so popular. It’s a chilled-out, if rather expensive, option for football fans looking for something different to play.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is wonderful alternative to normal person football games, with all the anime nonsense you could ever want.

Level-5's football RPG series finally makes its return with Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road. Successfully translating its take on the sport to the latest generation, the game breathes welcome new life into the franchise.